Community-based catch-monitoring of dugongs (Dugong dugon) and green turtles (Chelonia mydas) in the Kaiwalagal region of Torres Strait 2006

This study trialled community-based catch-monitoring strategies for dugongs and green turtles in two communities (Hammond and Thursday Islands) in the Kaiwalagal region (inner islands) of Torres Strait. Hunters completed datasheets after each hunting trip and these were collected weekly by Indigenous catch-monitors employed on the project. The catch-monitoring program was evaluated in terms of the reliability of the informaition collected and the suitability of the method to the communities. The information collected included biological information about the composition of the catch (e.g. sex ratio, size distribution, reproductive status), selectivity of the green turtle catch, catch-effort, catch-gear and the uses for which dugongs and turtles were hunted. The participating communities can use the information in future management of dugongs and green turtles in their communities.本研究针对托雷斯海峡凯瓦拉加尔（Kaiwalagal）区域（内岛群）的哈蒙德岛与星期四岛两个社区的儒艮（dugongs）和绿海龟（green turtles），试验了社区层面的渔获监测（catch-monitoring）策略。猎手每次狩猎结束后填写数据表，项目雇佣的原住民渔获监测员每周收集这些表单。本渔获监测项目从所收集信息的可靠性，以及该方法对社区的适配性两方面进行了评估。所收集的信息涵盖渔获组成的生物学相关数据（如性别比例、体型分布、繁殖状态）、绿海龟渔获的捕捞选择性、捕捞努力量（catch-effort）、捕捞渔具（catch-gear），以及儒艮和海龟的狩猎用途。参与本项目的社区可将这些信息用于未来其辖区内儒艮与绿海龟的资源管理工作。