The first hatchlings from this summer’s turtle nesting season are now swimming free in the Kingscliff waters on the NSW north coast, say NSW TurtleWatch.
NSW TurtleWatch is a a citizen science program involving volunteers to collect valuable data for marine turtles nesting in New South Wales and their potential threats, and was developed by The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water’s Saving our Species Program and Australian Seabird Rescue.
In a media release, NSW TurtleWatch said, ‘The 74 green turtle hatchlings were released into the ocean in mid-January after NSW TurtleWatch rescued 80 eggs that were at risk of water inundation by waves’.
‘Green turtles are one of six marine turtle species found in NSW waters and all face a range of natural and anthropogenic threats.
‘Of the 16 nests laid so far this season, eight needed to be moved to incubators, as they were laid in low lying areas which would have been inundated by the high tides.
‘To increase the chances of survival the eggs were carefully moved to an incubator, which used sand from the nest site and a heater to make an artificial nest, watched around the clock by a qualified wildlife carer.
‘Turtles lay eggs in nests along NSW beaches for around five months with community playing a vital role in reporting nest sightings, turtle tracks or nesting turtles to authorities which ensures they are protected from storms and high tides.
‘NSW TurtleWatch works with volunteers and community groups right along with the coast, and in the Tweed/Byron area works closely with the Local Aboriginal Land Council (TWBY LALC), which has been involved in beach and nest monitoring, outreach and hatchling releases.
Duane March, Team Leader, Department of Climate Change Energy the Environment and Water, said, ‘The work of TurtleWatch and other licensed wildlife rehabilitation providers is vitally important in allowing wildlife to flourish alongside humans and our activities’.
‘Given how vulnerable these turtle nests are and how precise the work of egg relocation needs to be for the hatchlings to survive, it is important that skilled rehabilitators such as the Turtlewatch team and volunteers are involved to give the turtles the best chance of survival.’
Merryn Dunleavy, NSW TurtleWatch added, ‘It’s tremendous seeing people come together to care for these threatened turtles, nests and hatchlings – and it’s exciting to see the hard work pay off, and hatchlings emerge!’
‘The preference is always to leave the nests where they have been laid. Nests are only moved as a last resort if they are at risk of inundation.
‘If you want to help, please do call us. We would love more nest monitoring volunteers but it’s still equally important for people to be looking for nesting turtles as well.
‘This nest has been a fantastic example of how, when our NSW communities are on TurtleWatch, we can come together to protect our nests.’
Leweena Williams, CEO Tweed Byron Local Aboriginal Land Council, said, ‘Tweed Byron LALC is excited to continue to work in collaboration with TurtleWatch and NPWS to protect this season’s turtle nests in the Tweed’.
‘This collaboration ensures we carry out our collective responsibilities to protest the species from the many pressure sand changes to their habitat.
‘We are part of a critical global story when it comes to turtles and will continue to contribute on a local level where we can.’
Sightings of turtle tracks or nests can be reported to TurtleWatch’s 24-hour nesting hotline on 0447 877 149 or to NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service on 1300 072 757.
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