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Unsustainable hunting practices in the spotlight

8 May 2003 - Leaders in the Torres Strait, in far north Queensland, have unveiled plans to tackle unsustainable hunting practices of protected species under native title legislation.

Earlier this week, Aboriginal elders on Cape York Peninsula spoke out about excessive dugong and green turtle kills.

The Torres Strait Regional Authority says it has been experiencing similar problems.

Chairman Terry Waia says it has set up a steering committee to deal with the issue, which is already discussing how to police hunters and protect the species.

"We're trying to have our people turning away so that they can have this like we used to do traditionally, not to use motorised vessels, not to use torchlights at night, but only go out at a particular time to harvest that animal for a particular reason," he said.

Meanwhile, conservationists have applauded the Indigenous leaders strong stance on the issue.

John Rainbird from the Cairns and Far North Environment Centre says it fully supports Indigenous efforts to better monitor and control the hunting of dugong and green turtle.

"Communities on the Cape have an incredibly strong conservation ethic and there are always going to be individuals that flaunt that and there are always going to be people that cause this kind of problem, but it's not to say that people on the Cape are happy to see this happen, they're not," he said.

"We acknowledge that they have taken strong leadership on this issue and that should be recognised."

Source: ABC News Online

related links :

• Cape York Land Council
• Cairns and Far North Environment Centre

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