Dugongs in Exmouth Gulf are faced with a primary food source extinction crisis. This vital feeding ground, along Australia’s West Coast, has recently lost over 14,000 acres of seagrass. Recent reports indicate that approximately 50% of the seagrass species in this region have died, a vital food source for these globally vulnerable marine mammals. In an unprecedented move, researchers and environmental advocates alike are raising the alarm. They call attention to the critically urgent need for protecting dugongs and their habitat.
The Exmouth Gulf is home to the second-largest population of dugongs in Western Australia, trailing only Shark Bay to the south. A chain reaction of negative environmental impacts have significantly changed the territory, pushing dugongs to more exposed waters. Featured Image: Scientists and conservationists are sounding alarm bells on a concerning trend. Conservationists say it could endanger the long-term survival of dugong populations in the region.
Impact of Climate Events on Seagrass
Amanda Hodgson, a researcher at Edith Cowan University, emphasizes the effects of exacerbated climatic occurrences. These occurrences are making brand new linkages between dugong home ranges. Today’s marine heatwave has left half of the seagrass species in the gulf scorched. This situation has exacerbated a yet severe food deficit. Heatwaves, inundating deluges, and oppressive cold snaps have all been historically damaging to seagrass populations. As dugong habitats start to regenerate, this disturbance drives dugongs away, an ordeal that may last two to three years.
Nicole Said, an environmental scientist, stated that before there were four dominant species of seagrasses in the gulf. However, two of those species—some of the dugongs’ preferred food sources—are gone forever. Dugong feeding grounds have been lost due to coastal development, and this has increased concern over dugongs’ future in this home.
“We’ve seen that two of those species have been lost, and those two species were the ones that were the preferred food source for dugongs in the Exmouth Gulf.” – Nicole Said
The Community Response
Given the desperate state of seagrass, the future for dugong populations is troubling. Despite the burden of this crisis, the community has galvanized to advocate for more robust protections for Exmouth Gulf. As Dr. Amelia Armstrong explained, it’s all one interconnected ecosystem. Remember, fossil fuel developments approved today will be impacting dugongs and their habitat decades into the future,” she cautioned.
“This whole system is connected and what we’re doing here is going to have ongoing effects,” she stated. When faced with the threat of such deep cuts, the community’s resolve only intensified. They are now pursuing the establishment of a new marine park to relieve industrial pressures on dugongs and other wildlife.
We heard a passionate call for this from Dr. Hodgson. He further emphasized that areas once considered too developed, such as Barrow Island, could make a huge impact in protecting dugong populations. “We haven’t previously considered that Barrow Island area, where dugongs aren’t necessarily normally found in high numbers, as an important dugong habitat,” she explained.
Historical Context and Future Concerns
The dugong’s population history in Exmouth Gulf tells a sad story. Since the 1980s, aerial surveys have shown that this population of 1,000 regularly migrates in the direction of Ningaloo or Barrow Island. They take this drastic step only when their main breeding ground is in danger. Over the summer of 2010–2011, a marine heatwave hit. It was the aftermath of this event that led to the dramatic decline in dugong numbers, as researchers began to notice an increase in starvation-related deaths.
From Perth, Matthew Swinbourn (Labor) raised alarm at the future ramifications from continued changes in climate. He remarked that “the scale of the heatwave is beyond our small population and large coastline.” In addition, he claimed that expectations that we can avoid extreme effects of these heatwaves by doing very little are unrealistic.
“The idea that we’re able to address the causes of that heatwave through some small actions that we might take is perhaps … vain, in terms of its hope.” – Matthew Swinbourn
As the story continues to develop, it remains to be seen what dugongs in the Exmouth Gulf can expect. Nicole said, who flagged this and accompanied it with a call for clarity. The scientific community has been watching these changes with great concern and is urging high-level leaders to take immediate actions to protect this important ecosystem.
