Arthur Gorrie
As state government, fishing and tourism operators and academic institutions investigate ongoing threats to Great Sandy Strait eco-systems, a new focus is on how the area’s mysterious environmental disruption has affected marine turtles.
The large number of sick turtles being recorded in the area was described as a serious concern this week.
The turtles include species dependent on seagrass as food, species under stress in Gympie region’s southern section of the Strait following the mysterious disappearance of what were once lush meadows of seagrass, one of the foundations of the area’s food chain.
Other species are also affected by plastic pollution, especially clear bags easily mistaken for jellyfish, another important turtle food for some species.
Environment Minister Leanne Linard has now announced an extra $1 million in the state government’s 2023/24 Budget, to help establish the Fraser Coast Marine Turtle Rehabilitation and Research Centre.
It is part of the work being carried out by a number of organisations researching what some say is emerging as an environmental catastrophe at the Fraser and Cooloola coasts.
“The centre will be established by the University of the Sunshine Coast, with the support of the Fraser Coast Regional Council and additional partners.”
The extra money is aimed at helping the recovery of more than 150 sick and injured marine turtles found in near-Gympie coastal areas every year.
Ms Linard said the centre would be “a regional hub for research, education and training as well as community outreach which will support efforts to protect and conserve marine turtles in Queensland.
She said the Great Sandy Strait was a regular home for six of the world’s seven marine turtle species including the endangered loggerhead, the vulnerable green, hawksbill and flatback turtles.
“Sadly, these protected marine animals face threats including boat strikes and habitat disruption,” she said.
“Data collected through the centre will also help UniSC continue important research on the emergence of new mystery disease eating away at the shells of turtles, that is so far contained to the Great Sandy Region.”
“Once complete and operating, the facility will allow for the improved protection of marine turtles and improved recovery rates of sick and injured marine turtles.
“It will also provide research opportunities into marine turtle diseases, emerging threats to marine turtles and other marine life.”
University of the Sunshine Coast vice-chancellor and president, Prof Helen Bartlett said the new collaboration with the government would draw on the university’s “global research expertise on marine turtles, including threats from human impacts such as micro-plastics and other pollutants.
“To rescue and rehabilitate sea turtles is vitally important, as is understanding the cause of strandings and deaths.
“The data on turtle health and movement gathered through this centre will provide critical understanding of the ecology and sustainability of the different species who live here.
“We are extremely thankful to receive this funding from the state government, and to work with Turtles in Trouble Rescue and other key partners including Australia Zoo, Fraser Coast Regional Council and the Butchulla Native Title Aboriginal Corporation.”