Data

Dugong aerial survey observations in Northern Australian - Aggregated data product (1984 - ongoing) (NESP MaC 5.9, IMOS)

eAtlas
Marsh, Helene ; Sobtzick, Susan ; Hamel, Melanie A. ; Cleguer, Christophe
Viewed: [[ro.stat.viewed]] Cited: [[ro.stat.cited]] Accessed: [[ro.stat.accessed]]
ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Adc&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2FANDS&rft_id=https://catalogue-imos.aodn.org.au/geonetwork/srv/api/records/b85f6b58-636a-4a6e-aca4-c90999d7f424&rft.title=Dugong aerial survey observations in Northern Australian - Aggregated data product (1984 - ongoing) (NESP MaC 5.9, IMOS)&rft.identifier=https://catalogue-imos.aodn.org.au/geonetwork/srv/api/records/b85f6b58-636a-4a6e-aca4-c90999d7f424&rft.description=This dugong (Dugong dugon) aerial survey database compiles observations collected by James Cook University (JCU) from systematic aerial surveys conducted along the Australian coast since 1984. Each survey is represented by a unique survey identifier (eventID), with multiple occurrence records derived from individual sightings made during that survey. Surveys were undertaken across nine broad regions: Shark Bay (WA), Exmouth (including Ningaloo) (WA), Pilbara (WA), Gulf of Carpentaria (NT/QLD), Torres Strait (QLD), Northern Great Barrier Reef (QLD), Southern Great Barrier Reef (QLD), Hervey Bay (QLD), and Moreton Bay (QLD). An individual survey may cover part of a region, an entire region, or multiple regions. This product represents an updated and enhanced version of the Dugong Aerial Survey Database, extending temporal coverage beyond earlier releases (to 2019) through the inclusion of additional surveys conducted up to 2023. Historical Dugong Data Management System records and JCU geospatial survey datasets were harmonised into a standardised, occurrence‑based format aligned with Darwin Core conventions. The dataset has been spatially enriched with Australian Marine Regions classifications, enabling direct alignment with national marine reporting and management geographies, and includes an H3 spatial index at resolution 4 (approximately 250 km² cell area) to support efficient spatial aggregation and multi‑scale analysis. A curated set of rejected records is retained and published separately to preserve full traceability to source data and processing decisions.Maintenance and Update Frequency: asNeededStatement: Data Ingestion Workflow This dataset brings together dugong aerial survey observations collected over several decades from multiple programs into a single, consistent data product. The aim is to make dugong sighting data easier to discover, analyse and combine with other marine biodiversity and environmental datasets, while retaining clear links back to the original surveys. Observations have been collated into an analytics ready spatial dataset that follows a standard occurrence based structure, allowing dugong distribution and life stage patterns to be examined across regions and through time. Data Sources The product combines dugong survey data from two main sources: • Historical Dugong Data Management System (DMS) records, which store aggregated aerial survey observations and associated environmental and survey metadata. • James Cook University (JCU) aerial survey datasets, provided as geospatial shapefiles containing dugong sightings and, in some cases, herd information. These sources differ in format, structure and level of detail, but all represent systematic aerial surveys undertaken to record dugong presence and abundance across Australian coastal waters. What the Data Represent Each record in the dataset represents a dugong observation event, derived from aerial survey sightings. Key characteristics include: • Location of the observation (latitude and longitude) • Date of the survey event • Number of dugongs observed • Separation of counts into adults and calves where recorded • Survey context such as region, transect or block • Observer and environmental condition information where available Because many surveys recorded dugongs as grouped counts, these have been expanded into individual life stage specific occurrence records, allowing adults and calves to be analysed separately. How the Data Have Been Prepared To create a single, consistent dataset, all source records were standardised into a common occurrence structure aligned with Darwin Core conventions. During this process: • Locations were cleaned and validated • Observation dates were checked for completeness • Grouped dugong counts were expanded into adult and calf records • Stable identifiers were assigned to each survey event and each occurrence • Records were enriched with spatial indexing and Australian Marine Region classifications Records with missing or invalid essential information were retained separately in a rejected dataset, with reasons clearly documented to support transparency and traceability. Outputs Two related datasets are produced: • Validated Dugong Dataset Contains standardised, spatially indexed dugong occurrence records ready for mapping, analysis and integration with other marine datasets. • Rejected Records Dataset Contains records that could not be validated (e.g. missing coordinates or dates), preserving full traceability to the original source data. Intended Uses This aggregated data product supports: • Analysis of dugong distribution and relative abundance • Comparison of adult and calf occurrence patterns • Regional and national scale spatial assessments • Integration with other marine biodiversity, habitat and environmental datasets • Long term ecological and conservation planning studies Update Schedule Annual surveys are anticipated, and this data will be added when available.Statement: The Dugong Aerial Survey Database was co-funded by JCU, the Australian Marine Mammal Centre, the Australian Antarctic Division of the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (formerly Department of the Environment). All surveys in the database were undertaken by JCU and funded by various agencies as indicated in relevant reports. JCU and the Memorandum of Understanding on the Conservation and Management of Dugongs (Dugong dugon) and their Habitats throughout their Range (UNEP/CMS) have supported the maintenance and updating of the database in 2022-2024. The database project was led by Helene Marsh (TropWATER, JCU), was designed by Steven van der Valk (formerly eResearch Centre, JCU), maintained by Susan Sobtzick (formerly TropWATER, JCU) until 2022 and by Mélanie Hamel (TropWATER, JCU) since 2022.&rft.creator=Marsh, Helene &rft.creator=Sobtzick, Susan &rft.creator=Hamel, Melanie A. &rft.creator=Cleguer, Christophe &rft.date=2026&rft.coverage=westlimit=113.00; southlimit=-28.00; eastlimit=154.00; northlimit=-9.00&rft.coverage=westlimit=113.00; southlimit=-28.00; eastlimit=154.00; northlimit=-9.00&rft_rights=Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/&rft_rights=The citation in a list of references is: IMOS, Marsh, H.; Sobtzick, S.; Hamel, M.A.; Cleguer, C. [year-of-data-download], Dugong aerial survey observations in Northern Australian - Aggregated data product (1984 - ongoing) (NESP MaC 5.9, IMOS), [data-access-URL], accessed [date-of-access].&rft_rights=Any users of IMOS data are required to clearly acknowledge the source of the material derived from IMOS in the format: Data was sourced from Australia's Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS) - IMOS is enabled by the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure strategy (NCRIS).&rft_rights=Data, products and services from IMOS are provided as is without any warranty as to fitness for a particular purpose.&rft_subject=oceans&rft_subject=environment&rft_subject=biota&rft_subject=Global / Oceans | Pacific Ocean&rft_subject=Regional Seas | Timor Sea&rft_subject=Regional Seas | Arafura Sea&rft_subject=Global / Oceans | Indian Ocean&rft_subject=Regional Seas | Coral Sea&rft_subject=Marine Features (Australia) | Torres Strait, QLD&rft_subject=States, Territories (Australia) | Queensland&rft_subject=Countries | Timor-Leste&rft_subject=Marine Features (Australia) | Great Barrier Reef, QLD&rft_subject=Countries | Indonesia&rft_subject=States, Territories (Australia) | Western Australia&rft_subject=Marine Features (Australia) | Shark Bay, WA&rft_subject=Marine Features (Australia) | Ningaloo Marine Park, WA&rft_subject=Marine Features (Australia) | Gulf of Carpentaria, NT/QLD&rft_subject=Marine Features (Australia) | Pilbara Coast, WA&rft_subject=Countries | Australia&rft_subject=Marine Features (Australia) | Exmouth Gulf, WA&rft_subject=States, Territories (Australia) | Northern Territory&rft_subject=Marine Features (Australia) | Hervey Bay, QLD&rft_subject=Countries | Papua New Guinea&rft_subject=Marine Features (Australia) | Moreton Bay, QLD&rft_subject=aeroplane&rft_subject=Biotic taxonomic identification&rft_subject=Abundance of biota&rft_subject=DUGONGS/MANATEES&rft_subject=POPULATION DYNAMICS&rft_subject=MARINE ENVIRONMENT MONITORING&rft.type=dataset&rft.language=English Access the data
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The citation in a list of references is: "IMOS, Marsh, H.; Sobtzick, S.; Hamel, M.A.; Cleguer, C. [year-of-data-download], Dugong aerial survey observations in Northern Australian - Aggregated data product (1984 - ongoing) (NESP MaC 5.9, IMOS), [data-access-URL], accessed [date-of-access]."

Any users of IMOS data are required to clearly acknowledge the source of the material derived from IMOS in the format: "Data was sourced from Australia's Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS) - IMOS is enabled by the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure strategy (NCRIS)."

Data, products and services from IMOS are provided "as is" without any warranty as to fitness for a particular purpose.

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This dugong (Dugong dugon) aerial survey database compiles observations collected by James Cook University (JCU) from systematic aerial surveys conducted along the Australian coast since 1984. Each survey is represented by a unique survey identifier (eventID), with multiple occurrence records derived from individual sightings made during that survey. Surveys were undertaken across nine broad regions: Shark Bay (WA), Exmouth (including Ningaloo) (WA), Pilbara (WA), Gulf of Carpentaria (NT/QLD), Torres Strait (QLD), Northern Great Barrier Reef (QLD), Southern Great Barrier Reef (QLD), Hervey Bay (QLD), and Moreton Bay (QLD). An individual survey may cover part of a region, an entire region, or multiple regions. This product represents an updated and enhanced version of the Dugong Aerial Survey Database, extending temporal coverage beyond earlier releases (to 2019) through the inclusion of additional surveys conducted up to 2023. Historical Dugong Data Management System records and JCU geospatial survey datasets were harmonised into a standardised, occurrence‑based format aligned with Darwin Core conventions. The dataset has been spatially enriched with Australian Marine Regions classifications, enabling direct alignment with national marine reporting and management geographies, and includes an H3 spatial index at resolution 4 (approximately 250 km² cell area) to support efficient spatial aggregation and multi‑scale analysis. A curated set of rejected records is retained and published separately to preserve full traceability to source data and processing decisions.

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Maintenance and Update Frequency: asNeeded
Statement: Data Ingestion Workflow This dataset brings together dugong aerial survey observations collected over several decades from multiple programs into a single, consistent data product. The aim is to make dugong sighting data easier to discover, analyse and combine with other marine biodiversity and environmental datasets, while retaining clear links back to the original surveys. Observations have been collated into an analytics ready spatial dataset that follows a standard occurrence based structure, allowing dugong distribution and life stage patterns to be examined across regions and through time. Data Sources The product combines dugong survey data from two main sources: • Historical Dugong Data Management System (DMS) records, which store aggregated aerial survey observations and associated environmental and survey metadata. • James Cook University (JCU) aerial survey datasets, provided as geospatial shapefiles containing dugong sightings and, in some cases, herd information. These sources differ in format, structure and level of detail, but all represent systematic aerial surveys undertaken to record dugong presence and abundance across Australian coastal waters. What the Data Represent Each record in the dataset represents a dugong observation event, derived from aerial survey sightings. Key characteristics include: • Location of the observation (latitude and longitude) • Date of the survey event • Number of dugongs observed • Separation of counts into adults and calves where recorded • Survey context such as region, transect or block • Observer and environmental condition information where available Because many surveys recorded dugongs as grouped counts, these have been expanded into individual life stage specific occurrence records, allowing adults and calves to be analysed separately. How the Data Have Been Prepared To create a single, consistent dataset, all source records were standardised into a common occurrence structure aligned with Darwin Core conventions. During this process: • Locations were cleaned and validated • Observation dates were checked for completeness • Grouped dugong counts were expanded into adult and calf records • Stable identifiers were assigned to each survey event and each occurrence • Records were enriched with spatial indexing and Australian Marine Region classifications Records with missing or invalid essential information were retained separately in a rejected dataset, with reasons clearly documented to support transparency and traceability. Outputs Two related datasets are produced: • Validated Dugong Dataset Contains standardised, spatially indexed dugong occurrence records ready for mapping, analysis and integration with other marine datasets. • Rejected Records Dataset Contains records that could not be validated (e.g. missing coordinates or dates), preserving full traceability to the original source data. Intended Uses This aggregated data product supports: • Analysis of dugong distribution and relative abundance • Comparison of adult and calf occurrence patterns • Regional and national scale spatial assessments • Integration with other marine biodiversity, habitat and environmental datasets • Long term ecological and conservation planning studies Update Schedule Annual surveys are anticipated, and this data will be added when available.
Statement: The Dugong Aerial Survey Database was co-funded by JCU, the Australian Marine Mammal Centre, the Australian Antarctic Division of the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (formerly Department of the Environment). All surveys in the database were undertaken by JCU and funded by various agencies as indicated in relevant reports. JCU and the Memorandum of Understanding on the Conservation and Management of Dugongs (Dugong dugon) and their Habitats throughout their Range (UNEP/CMS) have supported the maintenance and updating of the database in 2022-2024. The database project was led by Helene Marsh (TropWATER, JCU), was designed by Steven van der Valk (formerly eResearch Centre, JCU), maintained by Susan Sobtzick (formerly TropWATER, JCU) until 2022 and by Mélanie Hamel (TropWATER, JCU) since 2022.

Notes

Credit
Australia's Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS) is enabled by the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS). It is operated by a consortium of institutions as an unincorporated joint venture, with the University of Tasmania as Lead Agent.
Credit
The data collection described in this record was funded by the Australian Government Department of Climate Change, the Environment, Energy & Water (DCCEEW) through the NESP Marine and Coastal Hub. In addition to NESP (DCCEEW) funding, this project was supported by an equivalent amount of in-kind support and co-investment from project partners and collaborators.
Credit
Australian Marine Mammal Centre (AMMC)

Created: 21 04 2026

Data time period: 1984-11-13

This dataset is part of a larger collection

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154,-9 154,-28 113,-28 113,-9 154,-9

133.5,-18.5

text: westlimit=113.00; southlimit=-28.00; eastlimit=154.00; northlimit=-9.00

Subjects
Abundance of biota | Biotic taxonomic identification | Countries | Australia | Countries | Indonesia | Countries | Papua New Guinea | Countries | Timor-Leste | DUGONGS/MANATEES | Global / Oceans | Indian Ocean | Global / Oceans | Pacific Ocean | MARINE ENVIRONMENT MONITORING | Marine Features (Australia) | Exmouth Gulf, WA | Marine Features (Australia) | Great Barrier Reef, QLD | Marine Features (Australia) | Gulf of Carpentaria, NT/QLD | Marine Features (Australia) | Hervey Bay, QLD | Marine Features (Australia) | Moreton Bay, QLD | Marine Features (Australia) | Ningaloo Marine Park, WA | Marine Features (Australia) | Pilbara Coast, WA | Marine Features (Australia) | Shark Bay, WA | Marine Features (Australia) | Torres Strait, QLD | POPULATION DYNAMICS | Regional Seas | Arafura Sea | Regional Seas | Coral Sea | Regional Seas | Timor Sea | States, Territories (Australia) | Northern Territory | States, Territories (Australia) | Queensland | States, Territories (Australia) | Western Australia | aeroplane | biota | environment | oceans |

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Other Information
Dugong Aerial Survey Database, JCU

url : https://www.jcu.edu.au/eresearch/digital-libraries/dugong-aerial-survey-database

View and download data though the AODN Portal

url : https://portal.aodn.org.au/search?uuid=b85f6b58-636a-4a6e-aca4-c90999d7f424

Access To AWS Open Data Program registry for the Cloud Optimised version of this dataset (link to be added)

url : https://registry.opendata.aws/

Data files via Amazon Web Services S3 storage - download link (full dataset)

url : https://data-uplift-public.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/stored/datauplift/dugong/dugong.parquet

Data files accessible via Amazon S3 (public access, S3 URI)

local : s3://data-uplift-public/stored/datauplift/dugong/dugong.parquet

Access to Jupyter notebook to query Cloud Optimised converted dataset

url : https://github.com/aodn/imos-user-code-library/blob/master/NESP/dugong.ipynb

Technical description of product

url : https://content.aodn.org.au/Documents/IMOS/Data_product/Dugong_v1.1.pdf

Cleguer and Marsh, 2023 Report

url : https://www.nespmarinecoastal.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Project-1.20-Final-report-dugongs.pdf

global : aeb0afce-7fc7-4d48-91fc-f7b8e730073c

ror : 010x3gp67

ror : 04gsp2c11

ror : 04gsp2c11

ror : 04gsp2c11

ror : 04gsp2c11

ror : 010x3gp67

ror : 04gsp2c11

NESP MaC Project 5.9 – Making marine environmental data more assessment ready, 2025 (UTAS, IMOS)

raid : 10.82210/a44c9c1d

Identifiers
  • global : b85f6b58-636a-4a6e-aca4-c90999d7f424
ACN 633 798 857