The largest ever Traditional Use of Marine Resources Agreement was launched in Bundaberg this week and is being dubbed "a significant commitment to sea country sustainability."

Under the agreement covering 26,386km2, sustainable hunting practices will take place over the next five years and there will be no traditional hunting of turtle and turtle eggs at Mon Repos Conservation Park.

Port Curtis Coral Coast Traditional Owner groups, including Gooreng Gooreng, Gurang, Bailai and Tarebilang Bunda, have committed to taking no dugong, loggerhead and flatback turtles. Green turtle hunting will be limited to a maximum of five per group per year.

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority Chairman Russell Reichelt said this was an important voluntary agreement between Traditional Owners and the Australian and Queensland Governments.

"This agreement ensures valuable cultural practices continue to exist while supporting the goal of long-term conservation and management of marine resources," he said.

"The Traditional Use of Marine Resources Agreement is also significant due to sheer size, covering a total area that's almost ten times the size of Canberra and the Australian Capital Territory."

Kerry Blackman, one of the Port Curtis Coral Coast representatives, said the decision to enter into the agreement was not just about self enforcement but more about protecting a place that was of significance to them.

"As Traditional Owners we know that turtles and dugong in our sea country are being badly affected by water quality, seagrass loss, boat strike, poaching and some commercial industries," Mr Blackman said.

"By developing and implementing this agreement we are doing our bit to ensure the longevity of these species for future generations while continuing to maintain and pass on important cultural knowledge and practices."

Under the agreement Traditional Owners will use a permit system to limit the number of green turtles taken, and people who aren't Traditional Owners from the region will be banned from hunting. 

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