Two men have been fined $17,000 for killing two green turtles and a dugong after investigators dismissed their claims they had been given permission from indigenous elders.
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Queensland's environment department said the pair hunted the sea animals off Hervey Bay in October 2016 and claimed they were killed for "tribal ceremony" reasons.
Environment Minister Leeanne Enoch said while traditional owners have hunting rights "in their own country" the two men did not have such rights.
Investigations by departmental officers included assistance from Butchulla traditional owners and led to the men being convicted and fined in the Innisfail Magistrates Court this week, .
"In this instance the taking of the animals was unlawful," Ms Enoch said in a statement on Friday.
Australian Associated Press
