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© UnknownDr Scott McAuley said the barra had opaque eyes, red spots and a ragged tail.
New statistics reveal the severity of this year's horrendous run of marine animal deaths.

The dead bodies of 119 turtles have been found in Gladstone Harbour this year.

The figures will do nothing to ease the sense of frustration gripping the region's coast-loving public.

The Observer has received a range of statistics on Gladstone's marine animal deaths from the office of Environment Minister Vicky Darling.

Eight dugongs and five dolphins have also been found dead.

There is still no sign of a list containing specific information, such as locations and dates.

This is despite calls from Gladstone Region Mayor Gail Sellers for every autopsy result to be made public.

Perhaps what is most clear from reading the data, is the fact we still know nothing at all.

That is because, of the 119 turtles found dead, the cause of death was determined for only 24 of them.

The remaining turtles were too decomposed for an autopsy.

The information provided makes no reference to net fishing in relation to turtle deaths.

Boat strikes were the biggest culprit killing our harbour's turtles.

The data, while extensive, will do little to clear up controversy surrounding turtle deaths at the mouth of the Boyne River, since they provide no indication of dates or locations.

Cr Sellers has, on three occasions, asked the Minister to make every autopsy result public, in order to reduce speculation and provide the community with a clearer view of what is happening in the harbour.

One More Blind Barra Turns Up

Another blind barramundi has turned up in the waterways off Gladstone Harbour.

Local fisherman George Bennets was crabbing in Graham Creek on Curtis Island when he came across a large barramundi swimming inches from the surface.

"I turned around and with not much effort picked up the fish," he said.

"It was still swimming but was obviously very sick."

The barramundi's eyes were opaque and it was covered in red spots.

The tail was also ragged.

Worried by rumours of poor water quality and having seen the story of another blind barramundi in The Observer on Monday, Mr Bennets took the fish to Gladstone vet Scott McAuley.

Dr McAuley said it was likely the fish had suffered some kind of trauma, rather than falling victim of poor water quality.

He said the symptoms could also be caused by poor water quality, but he leaned toward trauma as the cause, because if water quality were the problem, there would be more fish in the area with similar symptoms.

He said if more barramundi were found with similar symptoms, which would indicate a water quality problem.

He suggested anyone who finds barramundi with similar symptoms should come forward.

Dr McAuley has been conducting autopsies on marine animals for the Department of Environment.