Turtle time: Watch highlights turtle conservation work in the Far North

A global watchmaker has joined the fight to save Far North turtles, partnering with a Cairns-based volunteer group in returning threatened species’ back to the wild.

The Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre has teamed up with watchmaker Seiko to create a limited edition timepiece. Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre co-founder Jennie Gilbert gives green turtle, Wazza, an up close look the limited edition timepiece. Picture: Brendan Radke

A global watchmaker has joined the fight to save Far North turtles, partnering with a Cairns-based volunteer group in returning threatened species’ back to the wild.

After ticking over more than a quarter of a century saving the gentle herbivores, Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre has joined forces with Japanese brand Seiko, releasing a limited-edition timepiece that will raise funds for the not-for-profit.

Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre operates out of five sites, nursing sick and injured turtles suffering from a range of ailments. Picture: Brendan Radke

Now boasting five sites, with a sixth facility to be established on Green Island soon, the centre is supported by more than 120 volunteers, working with universities across the globe to further turtle research.

But CTRC co-founder Jennie Gilbert said it was a far cry from the group’s humble beginnings in 2000.

“We’ve gone from two people and one turtle working on donated land down in the industrial sector on Tingira Street to running university programs, training vets and marine biology students,” Ms Gilbert said.

“There are students coming in and learning about the Great Barrier Reef, the threats and what they can do to help.”

The centre’s $600,000 Green Island facility will help aid sick turtles recover from a range of maladies, including boat strikes, disease and “floaters”, often caused by eating rubbish found in the ocean.

Ms Gilbert says education is key to bolstering turtle numbers in the wild across the Far North. Picture: Supplied.

But Ms Gilbert said she hoped the site would give community members and international tourists the chance to learn more about their shelled friends as they recover.

“Unless people can physically see what’s happening they won’t necessarily connection with it,” Ms Gilbert said.

“It feels like the education component can take the centre to another level.

“It’s not just about rescuing turtles. That will always be our main goal but education can be so powerful. This way, thousands of people will get to see our turtles.”

Recent natural disasters, including TC Jasper, had signficantly impacted turtles living on the Great Barrier Reef.

“Jasper caused a big problem with seagrass beds,” Ms Gilbert said.

“Not as much as (Cyclone) Yasi (in 2011) where we had an 800 per cent increase in turtle strandings.

“But if we get another big cyclone through this wet season, we could lose some of those seagrass beds.”

1,000 watches have been made by Seiko, inspired by Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre and Fitzroy Island. Picture: Brendan Radke

Seiko Australia’s Brett Neill said the organisation was proud to support CTRC’s conservation work.

“When we first visited Fitzroy Island, there was a passion and dedication of the team here at the Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre that really resonated with the Seiko Save the Ocean campaign,” Mr Neill said.

“It’s a project that seeks to protect marine environments across the globe, and supporting the CTRC was a natural fit for Seiko as marine conservation is something we take seriously.”

Featuring a vivid dial design and a gold bezel inspired by the “radiant hues” of a turtle’s shell in the sunlight, the watch is a tribute to Fitzroy Island, located around 30km southeast of Cairns and its aquatic inhabitants with just 1,000 pieces made.

Originally published as Turtle time: Watch highlights turtle conservation work in the Far North