Northern NSW nesting sea turtles at risk from La Nina summer

Nesting sea turtles are set to make their maiden voyage for open water along the Northern NSW coast. Here is how you can help them make it.

Northern NSW beachgoers who report sea turtle tracks and nests could save hundreds of baby turtles as nesting season is underway - under the shadow of a third La Nina summer.

Sea turtles making their maiden voyage to the ocean will find the task a lot more challenging with an expected increase in storms and coastal run-off.

NSW TurtleWatch project officer Holly West said the main severe storm concern is increased beach and dune erosion.

“With the weather events we might expect that our beaches are going to get a lot more erosion than on a normal year,” Ms West said.

“Nests get exposed and washed away or flooded with big tides that we might see.”

Sea turtle nests are under threat from increased tides and erosion of their nests. Picture: supplied

Reports and support from members of the public saw four nests relocated to higher ground last year that would otherwise have been washed away during the summer storms.

“Green and loggerhead sea turtles which nest on NSW beaches are both threatened species, so it’s vital we do everything we can to protect every nest and every egg during this critical breeding period,” Ms West said.

“From the nests we successfully relocated last year, 376 baby turtles hatched and made their way to the ocean.

“That’s almost 400 baby turtles saved by those members of the public who gave us a call.

“With another La Nina summer predicted, sea turtle nests will be in the firing line from increased storm activity.”

Nests are vulnerable to inundation from high and king tides, can be impacted by predators, dogs, erosion and even light pollution.

“The earlier we are notified about tracks or the location of a potential nest, the better,” Ms West said.

“This allows us to monitor the nest from the get-go and act to save the eggs.”

Sea turtle nests are under threat from increased tides and erosion of their nests, according to NSW TurtleWatch. Beachgoers are being asked to look out for hatchlings making their way to the ocean this nesting season. Picture: Supplied

In 2021-22, 11 sea turtle nesting activities were recorded on NSW beaches.

“Each nesting season, in collaboration with NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, we collect data on how many sea turtles are using the NSW coastline to nest,” Ms West said.

“The more we understand about how, where and when marine turtles nest, the more we will be able to protect them.”

Female turtles typically come out of the water between dusk and dawn to lay their eggs so beachgoers should keep an eye out for tracks in the sand early in the morning.

For sightings of nesting turtles, turtle tracks or nests on the North Coast report them to:

• Australian Seabird and Turtle Rescue 0428 862 852
• NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) on 13000 PARKS
  
• NSW TurtleWatch on 0468 489 259
  
• Dolphin Marine Conservation [phone]

“They start nesting around November and keep nesting through to January, February,” Ms West said.

“Anytime from January on we can start to see hatchlings as well – but they don’t have a calendar in their pocket (laughs), there are a few late ones.

“The peak nesting seems to be December to January.”

New volunteers are always welcome.