Sunshine Coast Turtle conservation projects

Turtle research

All the research and tracking projects undertaken around the world are contributing to a growing knowledge that is helping us understand and protect the endangered sea turtles. We undertake this work in collaboration with the Queensland turtle conservation project from the Queensland Government’s Department of Environment and Science.

Tracking turtles with tags

Since 1975 thousands of turtles have been tagged to help scientists understand more about the various stages in their life cycles. Titanium flipper tags can be applied to the turtle’s front flippers so every time the turtle is encountered its movements can be recorded.

This helps us to identify the turtles who return regularly to the Sunshine Coast. For example, K90712 is a nesting loggerhead that has returned to Buddina every 2-3 years since 2010, citizen scientists have recorded her nesting locally for 6 seasons.

Tracking turtles via satellite trackers

Another method of tracking is to apply a non-invasive satellite tracker to the back of the turtle’s shell. This tells us where the turtle spends its time. This includes between nesting events (they can nest every 2 weeks for 3-5 times) and then eventually they return to their foraging grounds, and we can see where they live.

Follow along on their journey's below.

2022 season

Bullumby - follow the light blue line
First Lady - light green line

2023 season

Mib'ir - follow the purple line
Geminid - follow the dark blue line

Sharing our knowledge

Read our comprehensive reports and scientific publications to learn more about turtle nesting in the Sunshine Coast and data collection by TurtleCare citizen scientists.

Research

Sunshine Coast turtle nesting report 2005-2016 - this report summarises the results of monitoring the eastern Australian loggerhead populations during the 2005-2016 breeding seasons on Sunshine Coast regional beaches.

Artificial light at night report 2017 - this report established artificial light emission level on the Sunshine Coast and Bribie Island in 2017. This document has had some sensitive information redacted to protect personal privacy.

Artificial light at night report 2022 - this report measured artificial light emission level on the Sunshine Coast and Bribie Island in 2022. This document has had some sensitive information redacted to protect personal privacy.

Community engagement evaluation of the TurtleCare program 2018 - this report is a critical review of the citizen science within TurtleCare focused on the program aims and objectives, volunteer and community involvement and the identification of potential program gaps.

TurtleCare snapshot 2022/2023 - this annual snapshot summarises the 2022/2023 turtle season results, as well TurtleCare volunteer contributions, events and training.

Scientific publications

Anti predator meshing (PDF, 1.03MB) may provide greater protection for seas turtles nests than predator removal.

Satellite tagging and flipper tag recoveries (PDF, 2.18MB) reveal migration patterns and foraging distribution of loggerhead seas turtles (Caretta caretta).

Education and engagement

Council and its TurtleCare program offer education and engagement opportunities for schools, events, and community.

Presentations

TurtleCare offers presentations to schools and community groups interested in learning more about Turtles including biology, lifecycle, migration, and threats.

For schools the presentations are delivered in line with the age of the students and can be adapted to the curriculum or particular interest area of the class.

Community engagement

In addition to TurtleCare volunteers engaging with members of the public on the beaches an information display including marquee is available for suitable events and attended by volunteers keen to discuss turtles with the public.

TurtleCare hatchlings

Dedicated school holiday program for primary school aged children who want to learn more about turtles.

For more information on any of these opportunities, email [email protected].

Resources for children

Education: kids corner - sea turtle conservancy (conserveturtles.org)
Loggerhead turtle facts for kids - National Geographic Kids (natgeokids.com)
Just for kids (noaa.gov)
For kids and families - OR&R's Marine Debris program (noaa.gov)
Home - Algalita - great info for youth combating plastic pollution.

Turtle conservation projects