4 January 2007

As marine turtle hatchlings make their way to the ocean for the first time, the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) is calling on beach-goers to take care and keep an eye out for them. 

Marine turtle eggs are hatching between now and May after female turtles came ashore to lay eggs earlier in summer.  

Dr Kirstin Dobbs from the GBRMPA’s Species Conservation Unit encouraged beach-goers to keep a safe distance from any hatchlings. 

“The highlight of a visit to the Great Barrier Reef may well be spotting a marine turtle but, at all stages of its life, a marine turtle is vulnerable and it is important to stay well clear of hatchlings, not touch them and reduce light in the area,” she said.

“Once the hatchlings have made their way to the ocean, people can help protect them by not throwing any garbage including fishing line or plastic bags on the beach or in the ocean.”

Dr Dobbs said six of the world’s seven species of marine turtle lived in the waters around Australia, and all six were found within the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area.

Females usually nest during the night and when the tide is high. They drag themselves high up the beach and dig a nest for their eggs. The action of her flippers and tail carve out tell-tale tracks in the sand.

Turtle eggs incubate in the nest for seven to 12 weeks, with the temperature of the surrounding sand determining the sex of the offspring.

Male hatchlings result from cool nests, while females are produced from warm nests. Both sexes may occur in nests at intermediate temperatures.

As a group, the hatchlings dig their way up through the sand to the surface. Then, generally in the early evening, the hatchlings emerge and scurry down to the sea. Many hatchlings do not survive the early stages of life.

If you are around marine turtle hatchlings please ensure you follow these best environmental practices for turtle watching:

• Stay well clear (at least 2 metres) of nests where hatchlings are emerging
• Watch where you step – you may accidentally crush hatchlings underfoot or cover them with sand
• Limit the use of light and never shine lights directly onto hatchlings - hatchlings may become confused by artificial light and may not make it to the ocean
• Use low wattage torches (less than three-volt, two-cell) with red cellophane or a filter over the bulb
• Do not shine torches out to sea when hatchlings are in the water – this may cause the hatchlings to return to shore
• Allow hatchlings to dig themselves out of the nest and run to the sea without disturbance or assistance
• Do not touch or handle hatchlings
• Never interfere with natural events (for example, rescuing hatchlings from seabirds or predatory fish).