Did you know that Green Turtles and Loggerhead Turtles nest on Gold Coast beaches?
Since 2020, Watergum has mobilised the Gold Coast community to identify, monitor and protect nesting sites.
You can join us by becoming a TurtleWalker, walking beaches during nesting season, cleaning up turtle habitat, monitoring active nests and helping us to raise awareness.
Six of seven Sea Turtle species have been recorded off the coast of the Gold Coast. Sea Turtles play important roles in our ecosystems, recycling nutrients and maintaining seagrass beds through grazing. however they are threatened by coastal development, marine pollution, fishing practices, climate change and more.
Warming seas are leading to an increasing number of nests being observed on Gold Coast beaches. Traditionally favoring the quieter northern beaches, these ancient mariners are now laying eggs further south. Two species, Green Sea Turtles and Loggerhead Turtles, use busy Gold Coast beaches to nest.
TurtleWatch is a collaboration between Watergum and Sea World Foundation. We are on a mission to understand more about Sea Turtles and their changing habitats, so we can better protect them.
TurtleWalks
Sea Turtle nesting season in South East Queensland is between November to April each year. During this time, mature turtles will come up onto shore to lay eggs throughout the season. Hatchlings emerge after approximately two months of incubation.
Busy Gold Coast beaches can be a dangerous place for Sea Turtle nests, prone to disturbance from vehicles, people and dogs, as well as light pollution and predation of hatchlings.
If we don’t know where Sea Turtles are nesting on Gold Coast Beaches, we can’t help protect these nests and vulnerable hatchlings. More data is required to better understand the changes these creatures are experiencing.
That’s where TurtleWalkers come in.
By walking the beach at sunrise, our community can monitor beaches for the tell tale turtle tracks. Any time turtle activity is detected, our team will check for signs of nesting activity, mark the nest and estimate a time frame for hatchling emergence.
Protecting turtle habitat
In partnership with the City of Gold Coast and Sea World Foundation, Watergum runs various conservation activities and events to engage volunteers to protect and improve turtle habitats.
- Beach clean ups remove debris that can endanger turtles and their nests
- Dune plantings restore and stabilise critical nesting areas
- TurtleWatch stalls at community events raise awareness about sea turtle conservation and recruit volunteers.
We are also working to reduce light pollution along our coastal strip. Artificial lighting on beaches can disrupt mature female turtles, causing them to abandon nesting attempts. It can also disorient hatchlings as they emerge from nests.
We are working with volunteers and local businesses to survey light pollution on the Gold Coast, identify problematic light sources, and implement light-reduction solutions. Palm Beach Surf Club is leading the way by committing to change outdoor lighting to a turtle-friendly alternative.
Conservation in action
Sea Turtles are threatened, which means they cannot be handled except by an accredited person. Our team, along with SeaWorld, have undertaken training from the Mon Repos Turtle Research Centre.
This training means we can assist with hatchling emergence, complete nest digs and relocate turtle nests if required.
Why dig nests? This process is critical to understand emerging trends in nest success. We share this vital data with research institutions and the Queensland Government database, contributing to our understanding and management of turtles to ensure long lasting, healthy populations.
Get involved!
Getting involved with TurtleWatch is easy, and makes a real difference! Your regular walking routine can contribute vital data to protect and conserve Sea Turtles on the Gold Coast.
Complete your induction
Check our events to find an upcoming TurtleWatch induction, or check back soon for our updated online training.
Book a TurtleWalk
Already inducted? Book your TurtleWalks with our online system!
Submit your data
Have you been out for a TurtleWalk? Submit your data to our citizen science database and make a difference.
Donate to TurtleWatch
Can’t take part in TurtleWalks but still want to help? Donating to Watergum makes a difference where it counts, in the field.
See our outcomes
We make sure our data makes a difference. Check out our TurtleWalk outcomes from past years.
TurtleWatch is run in partnership by
This program recieves funding and support from
Want to learn more about how we are protecting our waterways?