TurtleWatch

Did you know Sea Turtles nest on Gold Coast beaches?

Since 2020, Watergum has mobilised the Gold Coast community to identify, monitor and protect nesting sites.

Support us by walking beaches during nesting season and monitoring active nests, participating in clean up and restoration activities, or championing artificial light reduction practices.

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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.

Artificial light reduction

We are leading crucial efforts to reduce artificial light pollution on the Gold Coast. Bright lights can disorient hatchlings and prevent them from reaching the ocean.

Sea turtle use light as an orientation cue. 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. They head towards the artificial light instead of the ocean and become exposed to predators, being trapped in vegetation or even killed on roads.

We are working with volunteer and local businesses to identify problematic light sources, and implement light-reduction solutions. Palm Beach Surf Club is leading the way by installing turtle-friendly lighting. The Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort has implemented stage 1 reduction efforts, turning bright exterior lighting to face downwards to reduce spread of light pollution.

Reach out to our TurtleWatch GC team to understand how your business can get involved.

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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.

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