Queensland authorities are investigating the origins of a net used to trap and kill three dugong off Cairns.
Sailors aboard HMAS Labuan discovered the net and trapped dugongs on Friday.
They released one live dugong and brought the three dead ones ashore.
Climate Change and Sustainability Minister Kate Jones said several government departments were attempting to trace the origins of the net.
"The investigation into the incident is continuing with a number of government agencies involved," Ms Jones told AAP.
"If there is any evidence that there is a breach of the legislation then we will be using the full force of the law to take action.
"The investigation includes analysing the net and testing the dugongs as well."
Queensland Seafood Industry Association president Michael Gardiner said the net did not belong to commercial or professional fishermen.
"I want to make it very clear that this net and these dugong have nothing whatsoever to do with commercial fishermen," Mr Gardner said.
"I think most people in the Cairns region probably realise what's going on with the deliberate killing of dugong, but whenever an incident like this involves a net, commercial fishermen can still suffer some collateral damage."
He said local fishermen had confirmed the net was not of a type used by commercial fishermen and had been made specifically to catch dugong."
State opposition environment spokesman Glen Elmes said the illegal trade in dugong and turtles was rife.
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