Lower Mary River Land And Catchment Care Group Inc.
The Burnett Mary region coastline is internationally renowned for its marine turtle nesting sites. These sites support significant breeding populations of loggerhead, flatback and green sea turtles. These iconic species experience a range of serious threats to their survival. One of the main dangers is the predation of eggs and hatchlings by invasive species, which have reduced marine turtle numbers. The European red fox, introduced to the region, is a primary threat to the marine turtle nests and hatchlings on Queensland beaches. Foxes will dig up the eggs turtles have laid under the sand or catch the hatchings as they head down the beach toward the ocean. Reducing the number of red foxes is key to the turtle population s survival on Queensland beaches. Turtle beaches are monitored for fox activity and confirmed fox sightings prompt onground action to reduce their numbers. The current iteration of the Nest to Ocean project, which requires three separate rounds of fox control work between 2023 and 2024, specifically targets invasive red fox sites along the Burnett River and in the Moore Park and Wreck Rock Conservation Park areas. Volunteers based in areas where the fox control work is being undertaken monitor the turtles, their nests and their hatchlings throughout the nesting season, and provide data on turtle numbers and behaviours in project areas. Contract Layout Sandy Cape will be the main area where LMRLCCG will be working with volunteers to: Reducing the impacts from marine debris through cleanup activities and education. Increase public awareness about the effect of light sources around nesting sites and promote the use of alternative lighting and protection of nesting sites to local councils and community engagement seminars. Maintain feral and other predator control programs on nesting areas on the mainland, islands, and Sandy Cape including the construction of predator proof cages and relocation of Eggs. Project Outcomes Conservation of marine turtles. Project Benefits Protection of marine turtles. LMRLCCG work will be critical for the success of nesting and hatching turtles in the Burnett Mary and K gari is critical for the survival of the endangered loggerhead turtle.