Turtles celebrated on World Turtle Day

The Palaszczuk Government is today celebrating the conservation of Queensland’s turtles as part of World Turtle Day – marking 50 years since Queensland became the first jurisdiction in the world the protect all turtle species within its borders.

Minister for Environment and the Great Barrier Reef Leeanne Enoch said turtles played a key role in our marine ecosystems, including in the Great Barrier Reef.

“Queensland has the longest history of marine turtle conservation and management in Australia,” she said.

“Here in Queensland, we have been active in turtle conservation for 86 years, and 50 years ago we became the first jurisdiction in the world to protect all marine turtle species within our borders.

“Queensland is also a special location for these species, as six out of the world’s seven species of marine turtles have been recorded breeding and foraging in Queensland.”

Speaking today from the Whitsundays region, Ms Enoch said the Great Barrier Reef was a turtle hot-spot.

“Four species of marine turtles live in the Whitsundays, or swim through them on their way up and down the Queensland coast, including endangered loggerhead turtles; vulnerable green turtles; vulnerable flatback turtles; and endangered hawksbill turtles.”

Ms Enoch said marine turtles played an important ecological role in our coastal marine communities.

“Turtles help maintain the health of seagrass beds and coral reefs,” she said.

“They also feature prominently within the cultural beliefs and practices of many indigenous coastal communities, and are also a key tourism attraction.

“These amazing creatures have nested on parts of Queensland’s coast for thousands of years and it’s important we keep up our conservation efforts to ensure they keep coming back here for generations to come.”

The theme for this year’s World Turtle Day is about reducing plastic pollution and Ms Enoch said the Palaszczuk Government’s strategy for reducing single-use plastics would help protect turtle populations.

“Scientific evidence is conclusive – plastic kills marine wildlife,” Ms Enoch said.

“Plastics from food containers, food wrapping, drink bottles and plastic bags all cause problems.

“This plastic floats out to sea from coastal areas and kills excessive numbers of baby loggerhead and green turtles as they travel south on the East Australian Current to nest on southern Great Barrier Reef beaches.

“Around 75 per cent of the marine debris that is collected along Queensland’s coastline is plastic waste.

“Research has also shown that ingestion by turtles has been historically increasing with ingestion rates of more than 60 per cent in some species of sea turtles since 1980.”

World Turtle Day is celebrated globally on 23 May each year, and aims to bring attention to, and increase knowledge and respect for turtles worldwide, encouraging people to help them survive.

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