Dugong numbers in the Gulf of Carpentaria have fallen sharply since the last region-wide aerial survey two decades ago, prompting Traditional Owners and researchers to call for increased monitoring and greater support for Sea Country management.

The 2025 Gulf of Carpentaria dugong aerial survey — funded by the Australian Government through the National Environmental Science Program and the Queensland Government — recorded 305 dugongs across the surveyed area, down from 471 recorded in 2007.

The decline was most pronounced in the southeast Gulf, where the number of dugongs recorded fell from 231 in 2007 to 63 in 2025.

However, numbers in the Northern Territory remained relatively stable, with 242 dugongs recorded in 2025 compared with 240 in 2007.

Yanyuwa Traditional Owner Shaun Evans said protecting dugongs required greater attention to Sea Country.

"We need the resources and authority to look after Country properly," Mr Evans said.

"Dugongs are really important to Yanyuwa people. They are part of our culture and our Country."

Researchers have cautioned that the survey results alone cannot establish what caused the decline. They added that further collaboration and monitoring would be needed to determine the factors contributing to changes in dugong numbers and guide conservation efforts.

Charles Darwin University Senior Research Fellow Dr Rachel Groom and James Cook University TropWATER Senior Researcher Dr Chris Cleguer have called for researchers to work with Traditional Owners to improve ongoing monitoring and protection of dugong populations.

Dr Groom said a coordinated approach involving Traditional Owners, rangers, scientists and governments was needed to better understand changes in dugong populations.

"Communities need the authority, information and resources to respond when Country is changing," she said.

"The survey is an important warning signal, but without collaborating to get the whole picture we cannot confirm why this change has occurred."

Dr Cleguer said the 18-year gap between the two Gulf-wide surveys highlighted the need for more regular monitoring.

"Just as importantly, we need to support Traditional Owners to lead ongoing monitoring of dugongs and Sea Country between these regional surveys," he added.