Murandoo Yanner to defy dugong restrictions
The federal fisheries and conservation Minister has announced plans to restrict the number of dugong and turtle being taken by Indigenous hunters. Senator Ian McDonald says he’s been prompted by reports of a declining dugong population if traditional harvests are not cut back. The Torres Strait Regional Authority’s Toshie Kris is calling on traditional owners locally, and in neighbouring parts of Papua New Guinea to support the plan. Mr Kris agrees with the Senator that dugong are an important animal that must be preserved. Murandoo Yanner is the former Chair of the Carpentaria Land Council, and a former ATSIC Commissioner. Mr Yanner gained national attention after a winning a court battle to enshrine in law the rights of Indigenous people to hunt traditional foods. He does not support the move.