Dugongs were held on deck for periods ranging from 27 to 55 min, except the first dugong of each annual field trip; these were held for 62 and 65 min while procedures were established (Table 1). The major determining factor for time on deck was the time required to collect blood. For 13 dugongs, blood was collected with one needle stick only (taking 11.6 ± 1.0 min; mean ± SE) and eight dugongs received two needle sticks (13.6 ± 1.0 min). The other nine dugongs required further sticks to achieve the target volume of blood, but blood collection was completed within 25 min. After sampling, the dugong was suspended in the stretcher to measure body weight, and then the stretcher was swivelled off the main deck and lowered into the water for release, a procedure taking 2 to 9 min.