An aerial survey reveals the Dugong population in the Gulf of Carpentaria has dropped by 50 percent since 2007. 

The decline is mostly in the southeast of the Gulf of Carpentaria, between Queensland and the Northern Territory. 

Senior Research Fellow at Charles Darwin University Dr Rachel Groom says there are several reasons for the decline, calling on the Federal and state governments to fund research to support the struggling population.

An aerial survey reveals the Dugong population in the Gulf of Carpentaria has dropped by 50 percent since 2007.&nbsp;
The decline is mostly in the southeast of the Gulf of Carpentaria, between Queensland and the Northern Territory.&nbsp;
Senior Research Fellow at Charles Darwin University Dr Rachel Groom says there are several reasons for the decline, calling on the Federal and state governments to fund research to support the struggling population.