Since the sea and its animals were central to the life of the coastal Aborigines, important rituals and ceremonies were performed to ensure the reef's abundance continued. Aborigines were accustomed to hanging turtle heads in the trees of offshore islands so that turtle populations would increase, for example. Knowledge of weather, the sea, and the behavior, habitats and lifecycle of marine animals was vital for the prosperity of the tribal clans and was handed down to their children.
For young men, a test of this knowledge came with the dugong and turtle hunt. In order for them to pass into adulthood, it was necessary to single-handedly harpoon and land a turtle or dugong. This was accomplished by spearing the animal with a long harpoon with a barbed, detachable head secured to a long coil of bark rope. It was then hauled to the side of the canoe where it would be turned on its back and drowned. Sometimes a remora or sucker fish attached to a string was released over a turtle or dugong which then locked onto the animal, allowing the hunters to follow every move of their quarry.
This was the most dangerous and dramatic form of fishing. Its success was celebrated with the cooking of the prize at a ceremonial feast and dance. Then the skull of the turtle or lower jaw of the dugong was painted by the initiate and hidden in a secret place. Dugongs and turtles were also well represented in rock art. at sites along the coast.
