Garig Gunak Barlu National Park rangers undertake marine megafauna research
Garig Gunak Barlu National Park rangers recently worked with Charles Darwin University researchers to undertake boat-based surveys to satellite tag and collect DNA skin samples for sea turtles, dolphins, whales, and manta rays.
The fieldwork is part of an ongoing collaborative science project to improve marine and coastal biodiversity monitoring and conservation management across northern Australia of culturally important marine megafauna. Project partners come together several times a year at study sites to undertake boat-based surveys to track movement patterns, map habitat use areas and collect genetic samples to identify population units and map population connectivity.
Garig Gunak Barlu National Park rangers have been involved with the project since 2021. Results are being collated – so watch this space.
