15 January 2008

Marine turtle hatchlings are beginning to make their way to the ocean and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) is asking people to take care and keep an eye out for them at any time of the day.

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

Species Conservation Manager at the GBRMPA Dr Mark Read said generally the hatchlings will emerge in the early evening and scurry down to the sea.

“However due to the overcast and rainy whether we could see turtle hatchlings emerging at any time of the day,” he said.

“This could likely be around the time people are walking their dogs before or after work or when they’re taking their kids down to the beach over the school holidays.

“We are asking people to keep their pets on a leash, keep an eye out for where they are walking and 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.

“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 Read 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 environmental factors, primarily 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. 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).