Gold Coast turtles celebrated and protected for World Turtle Day

THEY’VE been immortalised in comic strips and on the big screen as heroes in a half shell, but turtle power peaked on the Coast today.

Turtle for World Turtle Day.

THEY’VE been immortalised in comic strips and on the big screen as heroes in a half shell, but turtle power peaked for World Turtle Day today.

The amphibians are under threat on the Gold Coast and Sea World’s marine science director Trevor Long urged locals to be careful in the city’s waterways.

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“The major threat to turtles is getting run over by boats and jetskis,” he said.

“They also get caught in crab pots and get entangled in fishing lines.”

Mr Long said Sea World was often called to rescue turtles that had been injured by fishing gear — in particular hooks.

“It’s a hard one because you can’t stop people fishing,” he said.

“But people should be careful when sharing the environment with marine animals.

“People should be aware of their surroundings.”

Southeast Queensland has a significant population of sea turtles with many taking up residence in the Gold Coast Seaway, throughout the Broadwater and further up into the Moreton Bay Marine Park.

Mr Long said some turtles also had the Floating Syndrome which stopped them diving for food.

“If you see a turtle floating, pick it up and put it in your boat,” he said.

“Then call SeaWorld.”

To protect turtles, collect your fishing debris and floating plastics, be aware of the Green and Go Slow zones in Moreton Bay Marine Park, and use propeller guards on your watercraft.