Call for volunteers to protect Gold Coast’s nesting turtles

As turtle nesting season ramps up, locals are being called to help protect the endangered species. Find out how you can help

Turtle nesting season is in full swing on the Gold Coast and locals are being urged to step up and volunteer with beach walks to help track and protect the endangered marine animals.

With confirmed nests already spotted across several beaches from South Stradbroke Island to Currumbin, conservationists from TurtleWatch GC – an initiative led by Sea World Foundation and Watergum Community – say they need more eyes on the ground to monitor turtle activity and reduce threats to the local populations.

Siobhan Houlihan (L) and Turtle Volunteer Rachael Blond join the call for turtle walkers to monitor sea turtle nests. Picture: Glenn Campbell

Watergum Community CEO and TurtleWatch GC co-ordinator Rosalinde Green said: “We can’t be at every beach at every sunrise, so we need people power to help us protect our precious marine turtles.

“Every single walk is valuable information to us.

“We would love for people to log every single TurtleWatch walk they complete so we know that our beaches are being monitored and we haven’t missed a nesting event.”

Ms Green said their biggest concern locally is when females attempting to lay get disturbed by beach visitors or when the hatchlings are attracted to artificial lights.

“This means they will end up stuck on our dunes instead of moving towards the ocean,” she said.

Last month, a Gold Coast local found a loggerhead sea turtle, which had burrowed itself within the sand dunes at Palm Beach, laid more than 40 eggs. Photo: Watergum Community

Last month, a Gold Coast local found a loggerhead sea turtle, which had burrowed itself within the sand dunes at Palm Beach, laid more than 40 eggs. Photo: Watergum Community

Watergum Community CEO and TurtleWatch GC co-ordinator Rosalinde Green. Picture: Supplied

By locating nests, volunteers can help reduce these risks and support hatchlings on their journey to the ocean, allowing the experts to intervene when needed.

TurtleWatch walks, which take place at sunrise when tracks are easiest to spot, are needed across areas for South Stradbroke Island, The Spit, Main Beach and Tallebudgera all the way down to Coolangatta.

The data collected is also shared with the Queensland Turtle Conservation project to help future conservation efforts.

To report turtle activity locals are urged to call Sea World Foundation’s 24/7 hotline immediately, remain a safe distance away, and do not interfere with the animals.

Originally published as Call for volunteers to protect Gold Coast’s nesting turtles