Greenland et al., 2002:

Boat strike and  propellers causing damage and fractures

 

Beachwashed green turtle (Chelonia mydas) with boat strike damage.  Townsville, December 2002

"2001

Of the 141 turtles with identified anthropogenic causes of strandings and mortalities, 83 (59 percent) had fractures and injuries consistent with boat strike and propeller damage (Table 4a, 5a).

Green turtles

n=66: 31 adult-sized turtles (>90cm curved carapace length (CCL)); 18 immature-sized turtles (CCL>35cm and <90cm); 17 turtles with no measurements (Figure 7a).

Loggerhead turtles

n=8: 4 adult-sized turtles (CCL>80cm); 4 turtles with no measurements (Figure 7a).

Hawksbill turtles

n=1: immature-sized turtle (CCL<65cm) (Figure 7a). Unidentified turtles n=8: 2 adult sized turtles (CCL>90cm); 6 turtles with no measurements (Figure 7a).

 

2002

Of the 150 turtles with identified anthropogenic causes of strandings and mortalities, 65 (43 percent) had fractures and injuries consistent with boat strike and propeller damage (Table 4b, 7b).

Green turtles

n=55: 23 adult-sized turtles (CCL>90cm); 21 immature-sized turtles (CCL>35cm and <90cm); 11 turtles with no measurements (Figure 7b).

Loggerhead turtles

n=5: 3 adult-sized turtles (CCL>80cm);1 immature-sized turtle (CCL>65cm); 1 turtles with no measurements (Figure 7b).

Hawksbill turtles

n=1: 1 turtle with no measurement (Figure 7b). Unidentified turtles n=4: 4 turtles with no measurements (Figure 7b).

Of known anthropogenic causes of stranding and mortality, boat strike can be identified as being of major concern in both 2001 and 2002."

 

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Citation and/or URL

Greenland, J.A., Limpus, C.J., and Currie, K.J. 2002. Queensland marine wildlife stranding and mortality database annual report 2001 - 2002 II.  Marine Turtles.  Queensland Environmental Protection Agency. 73pp.  

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Spatial Coverage

State of Queensland

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Temporal Coverage

2001 - 2002

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Update Frequency

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Other Information

See also information on boat strike on cetaceans and dugongs