Published Wednesday, 26 March, 2008 at 12:46 PM
Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation
The Honourable Andrew McNamara
Queensland’s turtle population faces human threats
Thirteen turtles rehabilitated at the Sea World Turtle Hospital were released in Moreton Bay today.
Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation, Andrew McNamara, joined Sea World staff on their Research and Rescue vessel to return the turtles to their natural habitat.
“It is important that we create greater public awareness of the plight of our turtles,” Mr McNamara said.
“Green turtles were commercially harvested until 1950, and it is only now that numbers in Moreton Bay are recovering.
“However, these turtles still face threats caused mainly by humans.
“Of the thirteen turtles released today, one was the victim of boat strike, one was injured in fishing gear entanglement and the remainder were the victims of diseases which included ingestion of debris such as plastics.
“If it wasn’t for the rehabilitation program they would be dead, but if it wasn’t for man-made problems they wouldn’t have been injured in this way.
“Moreton Bay is one of the few major feeding areas for green and loggerhead turtles in eastern Australia but it is next to a major human population centre, and we are having an impact on their survival.
“To ensure the survival of marine life like the loggerhead and green turtle we need to protect the fragile environment of the bay.
“The State Government is currently assessing submissions to the Moreton Bay Marine Park Draft Zoning Plan which aims to ensure the resilience and longevity of this great marine environment.
“The plan calls for the expansion of green zones and an increase in “go slow” areas which will help in the conservation of these vulnerable creatures.
“The ingestion of plastic by turtles causes life threatening diseases, to help further protect our turtles we have introduced new litter laws aimed at reducing the amount of rubbish going into the bay.
Mr McNamara said turtles also face the greater threat of climate change.
“The World Wildlife Fund released a report yesterday which identifies turtles as a species that might be under threat of extinction because of climate change,” Mr McNamara said.
“While marine turtles have responded to climate change in the past, with the extra pressure of human induced threats, it will take years for their numbers to return to a sustainable level.
“The turtle population in Moreton Bay is so fragile that the loss of just a small number of adults per year will impede their recovery and put their survival at great risk.
“We all have a responsibility to become much more aware and constantly vigilant to help ensure the survival of our valuable marine life,” Mr McNamara said.
Media contact: Emma Parnell 3336 8002
Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation, Andrew McNamara, joined Sea World staff on their Research and Rescue vessel to return the turtles to their natural habitat.
“It is important that we create greater public awareness of the plight of our turtles,” Mr McNamara said.
“Green turtles were commercially harvested until 1950, and it is only now that numbers in Moreton Bay are recovering.
“However, these turtles still face threats caused mainly by humans.
“Of the thirteen turtles released today, one was the victim of boat strike, one was injured in fishing gear entanglement and the remainder were the victims of diseases which included ingestion of debris such as plastics.
“If it wasn’t for the rehabilitation program they would be dead, but if it wasn’t for man-made problems they wouldn’t have been injured in this way.
“Moreton Bay is one of the few major feeding areas for green and loggerhead turtles in eastern Australia but it is next to a major human population centre, and we are having an impact on their survival.
“To ensure the survival of marine life like the loggerhead and green turtle we need to protect the fragile environment of the bay.
“The State Government is currently assessing submissions to the Moreton Bay Marine Park Draft Zoning Plan which aims to ensure the resilience and longevity of this great marine environment.
“The plan calls for the expansion of green zones and an increase in “go slow” areas which will help in the conservation of these vulnerable creatures.
“The ingestion of plastic by turtles causes life threatening diseases, to help further protect our turtles we have introduced new litter laws aimed at reducing the amount of rubbish going into the bay.
Mr McNamara said turtles also face the greater threat of climate change.
“The World Wildlife Fund released a report yesterday which identifies turtles as a species that might be under threat of extinction because of climate change,” Mr McNamara said.
“While marine turtles have responded to climate change in the past, with the extra pressure of human induced threats, it will take years for their numbers to return to a sustainable level.
“The turtle population in Moreton Bay is so fragile that the loss of just a small number of adults per year will impede their recovery and put their survival at great risk.
“We all have a responsibility to become much more aware and constantly vigilant to help ensure the survival of our valuable marine life,” Mr McNamara said.
Media contact: Emma Parnell 3336 8002