Thursday 12 January 2006

Beaches around Townsville are erupting with night-time activity as baby turtle hatchlings emerge from the sand and make their way to the ocean.

Sarah Salmon from the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority’s Species Conservation Unit said most female turtles come ashore to lay eggs between October and February, and the hatchlings then emerge from the nest seven to twelve weeks later, usually between December and April.

"It is estimated that as few as one in a thousand turtle hatchlings make it to adulthood," she said.

"Six of the world’s seven species of marine turtle live in the waters of the Great Barrier Reef and all are threatened.

“This is why it is incredibly important that we try to maximise the hatchlings chances of survival.

“Hatchlings can be easily disorientated and are attracted to bright lights such as street and house lights, campfires and torches.

“Hatchlings are also susceptible to being killed by cats, dogs, feral pigs and foxes.”

Tim Harvey from Townsville’s Indo-Pacific Sea Turtle Conservation Group said hatchlings have recently been emerging at Pallarenda Beach, the AIMS Beach at Cape Ferguson and at Rattlesnake Island.

“There are a few things we can all do to help protect turtle hatchlings and give them the best start to life,” he said.

“Stay well clear of nests where hatchlings are emerging. Allowing hatchlings to run to the sea without assistance is important for their natural imprinting of the nesting beach and its surrounds.

“If you find a hatchling obviously heading away from the sea towards an artificial light source, rescue it by picking it up, carrying it to a dark section of the beach and letting it run to the sea by itself. Then notify the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service on the Environmental Protection Agency Hotline 1300 130 372.

“Do not shine torches out to sea when hatchlings are in the water – this may cause them to return to the shore and always keep dogs away.”

Everyone can help the survival of turtles by ensuring rubbish is disposed of properly and fishing gear such as lines and hooks are not discarded on the beach or at sea.

For further information on the Indo-Pacific Sea Turtle Conservation Group visit http://www.aims.gov.au/ipstcg/index.html