4Th Australian Marine Turtle Symposium

PROCEEDINGS OF THE 8-10 SEPTEMBER 2018 4TH AUSTRALIAN MARINE BUNDABERG TURTLE SYMPOSIUM QUEENSLAND Australian Marine Turtle Symposium PO Box 248, Buderim QLD, Australia, 4556 Phone: 07 5445 1238 Email: [email protected] Web: ausmarineturtlesymposium.com.au

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A licence to publish in this format has been granted to the Australian Marine Turtle Symposium Committee. The statements, analyses, opinions and conclusions in these presentations are those of the author(s) and not of the Australian Marine Turtle Symposium Committee which acts only in the capacity as publisher of the Proceedings of the Fourth Australian Marine Turtle Symposia.

The recommended reference for this publication: Tucker AD, Hofmeister KM, Limpus CJ (Compilers). 2020. Proceedings of the Fourth Australian Marine Turtle Symposia, 10-8 September 2018, Bundaberg, QLD. Australian Marine Turtle Symposium Committee, Buderim QLD 136pp ISBN 2-0-6487485-0-978 (Print) ISBN 9-1-6487485-0-978 (Online)

Disclaimer No part of any paper can be regarded as legal advice. Although all care has been taken in preparing all papers, readers must not alter their position or refrain from doing so in reliance on any paper. Neither the author nor the Australian Marine Turtle Symposium Committee accept or undertake any duty of care relating to any part of any paper.

Accessibility Available from: www.ausmarineturtlesymposium.com.au This document is available in alternative formats on request. Requests and enquiries concerning reproduction and the use of this material should be addressed to the Australian Marine Turtle Symposia Committee. Email: [email protected]

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We gratefully acknowledge the Queensland State Government Department of Environment and Science for sponsoring the preparation of this document.

Design by Emma Jurss Graphic Design. PROCEEDINGS OF THE 4TH AUSTRALIAN MARINE TURTLE SYMPOSIUM

We would like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the lands where we met, the lands where we work and the lands where we live. We pay our respects to the Elders past, present and emerging, for they hold the memories, the traditions, culture and understanding of marine turtles across Australia. PREFACE

The Fourth Australian The Australian Marine Turtle The 2018 symposium hosted a total Marine Turtle Symposium Symposium had its inaugural of 70 ten-minute oral presentations was held in Bundaberg meeting in Buderim in Queensland and several poster presentations in 2012 with the objectives of over three days. Seven workshop from the 8th–10th bringing together people and sessions were interspersed through September 2018, to projects from across Australia. the oral presentations. Workshop topics included light issues, movement recognise the 50th year The theme for the 4th Australian and metadata, an indigenous talking of turtle research Marine Turtle Symposium was circle, stable isotopes, monitoring “An environment good for turtles at Mon Repos. technology, marine debris and future is good for us”. Our focus was on Australian Marine Turtle Symposium engaging a diversity of professionals, business discussion. community groups, indigenous communities involved in caring for These proceedings contribute to our country, students and individuals the major documents on Australian with interest in conservation. marine turtles, most of which are now archived on the Australia Marine Turtle Symposium website.

2007 2009

1998 2008

1990

A BIOLOGICAL REVIEW OF AUSTRALIAN SEA TURTLES (1-6)

PROCEEDINGS C. Limpus AUSTRALIAN MARINE TURTLE CONSERVATION WORKSHOP

R. James DISTRIBUTION AND STATUS OF MARINE TURTLE NESTING IN THE NORTHERN TERRITORY MARINE TURTLE R. Chatto, B. Baker CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT IN NORTHERN AUSTRALIA

R. Kennett, A. Webb, G. Duff, M. Guinea, G. Hill

4 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 4TH AUSTRALIAN MARINE TURTLE SYMPOSIUM THIRD AUSTRALIAN MARINE TURTLE SYMPOSIUM

M. Guinea

RECOVERY PLAN FOR MARINE TURTLES SECOND IN AUSTRALIA AUSTRALIAN AND 2ND WESTERN Commonwealth AUSTRALIAN MARINE of Australia TURTLE SYMPOSIUM

S. Whiting, T. Tucker

2018 2012

2014 2017

2016

FIRST AUSTRALIAN MARINE TURTLE FOURTH SYMPOSIUM AUSTRALIAN MARINE N. Mclachlan, TURTLE SYMPOSIUM B. Mclachlan T. Tucker, K. Hofmeister, C. Limpus

Other works on Australian sea turtle conservation or research are found throughout Proceedings of the Annual Symposia on Sea Turtle Biology and Conservation that are convened by the International Sea Turtle Society internationalseaturtlesociety.org/proceedings-2

10-8 SEPTEMBER 2018 5 DELEGATES The Australian Marine Turtle Symposium is held biennially and brings together people and projects from across Australia and bridges gaps between local meetings and the annual International Sea Turtle Symposia.

2018 MEETING HOSTED 308 REGISTERED DELEGATES FROM ACROSS AUSTRALIA AND OVERSEAS

OVERSEAS 9 NORTHERN TERRITORY

11 QUEENSLAND 242 WESTERN AUSTRALIA

SOUTH NEW SOUTH 30 AUSTRALIA WALES

1 7 AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY VICTORIA 2 3

6 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 4TH AUSTRALIAN MARINE TURTLE SYMPOSIUM AUSTRALIAN MARINE TURTLE SYMPOSIA MANAGEMENT GROUP

NAME AFFILIATION Karen Arthur Commonwealth Department of Environment, Canberra, ACT

Ian Bell Queensland Department of Environment and Science, Townsville, QLD

David Booth University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD

Nancy FitzSimmons Griffith University, Nathan, QLD

Rachel Groom Northern Territory Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Darwin, NT

Mick Guinea Charles Darwin University, Casuarina, NT

Mark Hamann James Cook University, Townsville, QLD

Kate Hofmeister Sunshine Coast Council, Caloundra, QLD

Colin Limpus Queensland Department of Environment and Science, Dutton Park, QLD

Bev McLachlan Turtlecare Wreck Rock, Buderim, QLD

Nev McLachlan Turtlecare Wreck Rock, Buderim, QLD

Kellie Pendoley Pendoley Environmental Pty Ltd, Booragoon, WA

Richard Reina Monash University, Clayton, VIC

Tony Tucker Western Australia Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Kensington, WA

Jason van de Merwe Griffith University, Southport, QLD

Scott Whiting Western Australia Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Kensington, WA

ORGANISING COMMITTEE

NAME ROLE Col Limpus Convenor

Bev and Nev McLachlan Treasurer / Registrar

Tony Tucker Programmer / Proceedings / Technical Lead

Kate Hofmeister Communications liaison / Proceedings

Ainsley Gatley Sponsorship

Kellie Pendoley Silent Auction

10-8 SEPTEMBER 2018 7 SPONSORS We would like to thank all sponsors for making this event possible. The funds contributed by the Sponsors meant low fees for the delegates and the venue.

Leatherback TURTLE SPONSOR Lotek/Sirtrack Wildlife Telemetry

HAWKSBILL TURTLE SPONSOR Associated Media | Gatley Building Design | Pendoley Environmental

8 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 4TH AUSTRALIAN MARINE TURTLE SYMPOSIUM LOGGERHEAD TURTLE SPONSOR GREEN SEA TURTLE SPONSOR David Batt MP | Inner Wheel Club of the Sunshine Coast Stephen Bennett Macadamia Farm Management | Sea Turtle Alliance

Design of copies of the Symposium proceedings were donated by the Queensland Government Department of Environment and Science.

Acknowledgements This event was enabled by the Thanks to all the presenters for the Thanks to the volunteers who contributions of many individuals quality and diversity of presentations assisted in aspects over the three- and organisations. and to the delegates who created a day event, including audio-visual and friendly and inclusive atmosphere photography, and to the Wreck Rock Firstly, we thank the sponsors for which resulting in a successful event. Turtle Care volunteers who facilitated their generous support that made the electronic payments and assisted the event possible and lowered Special thanks to Bargara State during the event. the costs for individuals to attend. School, Kalki State School and St Patrick’s Catholic Primary School We wish to thank the management We thank Uncle Willy Broom, an students for the hand drawn delegate and organising committee for elder of Taribelang Bunda who bags featuring local wildlife and their contribution, discussion and provided the Welcome to Country. inspiring environmental messages. decisions about formats, venues and future symposia. Thank you to Stephen Bennett MP Thank you to Stockbrands for for addressing the delegates with the engraved turtle tags gifted Finally, we gratefully thank Nev a local welcome. to each delegate. and Bev McLachlan for overseeing the organisation and general Thank you to Lindsay Delzoppo Acting The facilities at the Bundaberg administration of the event. Director Department of Environment Multiplex Complex were great and and Science on behalf of Queensland Bundaberg North Burnett Tourism Government for opening the event. and Kellys Beach Resort of Bargara made booking and setup easy.

10-8 SEPTEMBER 2018 9 WELCOME TO QUEENSLAND

Foreward by Lindsay Delzoppo Department of Environment and Science

● For those of you from other I am pleased that we have both States and countries, welcome to a Minister and Director-General Queensland. Six of the world’s 7 committed to the use of scientific marine turtles spend important research and logic to support the parts of their lives foraging development of environmental and breeding in Queensland. policy. However, there are Good morning, what a We are very proud of that but Challenges and Threats ahead pleasure it is to be at the acknowledge the responsibility include: that brings for us to play our part ● Climate Change – hatchling th 4 Australian Marine Turtle in the conservation of marine feminization, inundation beach Symposium in Bundaberg and turtles. We are also proud destruction to see so many turtle experts that Queensland has provided ● Plastic and ghost nets and enthusiasts in one place. important leadership in the ● Light spillage near nesting research into and conservation beaches My name is Lindsay Delzoppo of marine turtles for over 50 years. ● Nest Predation and I’m the Acting Executive I am told that it was in Queensland ● Issues beyond our borders that the 1st ever tagging study of Director of the Department We look forward to working nesting turtles was conducted in of Environment and Science’s with you all in responding to these around 1930. Also in Queensland, challenging issues. Conservation and Biodiversity the unsustainable commercial Operations Branch. harvesting of green turtles was Finally, I see that you will be celebrating National Bilby Day I would like to acknowledge the recognised and closed down in the during the symposium – tomorrow Traditional Owners of this land – and 1950s, and in 1968, Queensland on National Bilby Day. In that to pay my respects to their elders became the first government in context I would like to pay my past, present and those finding their the world to protect all marine respects to our late colleague Peter way. Thank you too Uncle Willie for turtle species within its borders. McRae –one of the ‘Bilby Brothers’, your kind welcome. I would also Currently over 80% of all marine who died yesterday after 34 years like to recognise the work of my turtle nesting sites in Queensland, with us conducting game-breaking colleague, Rebecca Williams, who outside of Indigenous-owned land, scientific research into Bilbies could not be here, but who has are contained within our “National and other wildlife in South West been a staunch supporter of marine Park or Marine Park” system ● Queensland. I would also sincerely turtle research and conservation in 97% of the east coast of like to pay my condolences to his Queensland over many years. Queensland is protected within Marine Protected areas family and friends. Peter had just Our department includes the ● We have over 50 years of retired and we had planned a major renowned Aquatic Species Program continuous research and presentation to him in Charleville Team led by Dr Col Limpus. The monitoring at Mon Repos. tonight – unfortunately, he didn’t team has an amazing array of make it. collaborators, including First Nations Our department, led by Col, helped Thanks once again for being here. people, universities and dedicated to make Turtle Exclusion Devices I am confident those of you here volunteers – some of whom have (TEDs) mandatory in trawl fisheries today hold in your heads and been working with us for over 40 in Queensland. hands the solutions to marine years. Several members of the team We also now have a new turtle conservation in the Southern and collaborators will be presenting Strategy for Marine Turtle Hemisphere. I wish you all well in at this important forum and I think Conservation in Queensland to your discussions and deliberations. that’s wonderful. lead us into the future. And please enjoy yourselves in Bundaberg and Queensland.

10 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 4TH AUSTRALIAN MARINE TURTLE SYMPOSIUM WELCOME TO BUNDABERG

Stephen Bennett MP Member for Burnett

As the State Member for As former Shadow Minister for marine turtles would Burnett, I was delighted to Environment, I helped lead the be even more precarious. way with the introduction of a Educational programmes, extend a warm welcome Container Deposit Scheme which community volunteering, lobbying to attendees at the Fourth is commencing operation here in of regional Councils to assure Queensland; and the banning of Australian Marine Turtle planning incorporates turtle single-use plastic bags that litter Symposium in Bundaberg. protection – all these go a long our environment and threaten our way to keeping our turtles at the Six of the world’s seven species of wildlife. It’s my hope that these forefront of Queenslanders’ minds marine turtle live in Queensland two initiatives will have significant as they make daily decisions that waters. Four are listed as impact on the health and survival of affect pollution of marine life. endangered, with the hawksbill marine life, especially our turtles. Without the cooperation and turtle upgraded to endangered last Unique to the Burnett is Mon determination of these groups, the year, joining the loggerhead, olive Repos Conservation Park, one slow slide towards extinction of our ridley and leatherback. The green of Queensland’s top wildlife turtles would go unnoticed. and flatback turtle remain listed as encounters where you can see vulnerable. It is my hope that this fourth annual firsthand magnificent turtles as symposium will support learning Around 30 per cent of sea turtle they come ashore to nest, and then opportunities, new research and deaths in Queensland regions are watch tiny hatchlings take their great outcomes for the survival of attributable to plastic ingestion first “flips” towards the sea. Special our marine turtles. and 70 per cent of Loggerheads in mention is due to the local Mon Queensland waters have ingested Repos conservation park rangers plastics. Plastic bags break ‘up’, and management whose terrific not down, into smaller bits posing work highlights these wonderful an even greater threat as they are creatures and the need to change STEPHEN BENNETT MP swallowed by wildlife. our own habits to protect their Member for Burnett future. I acknowledge all the local wonderful volunteer groups who work so hard to protect endangered turtles all year round. All up and down our coast, turtles arrive to nest and hatchlings make their first moves to the water. Without these local volunteers, the future of our

10-8 SEPTEMBER 2018 11 12 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 4TH AUSTRALIAN MARINE TURTLE SYMPOSIUM 4TH AUSTRALIAN MARINE TURTLE SYMPOSIUM PROGRAM

FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY MONDAY 7 SEPTEMBER 8 SEPTEMBER 9 SEPTEMBER 10 SEPTEMBER

10-8 SEPTEMBER 2018 13 PROGRAM

FRIDAY 7 SEPTEMBER

2.00–4.00 Delegate Registration Bundaberg Multiplex

5:00 Welcome Function ‘Meet and Greet’ Bundaberg Riverfeast

SATURDAY 8 SEPTEMBER

8:00–8:30 Delegate Registration Bundaberg Multiplex

SESSION ONE

8:15 Opening and Housekeeping Nev & Bev McLachlan

8:25 Welcome to Country Uncle Willy Broome

8:35 Welcome to Bundaberg Stephen Bennett

8:45 Welcome to Queensland Lindsay Delzoppo

9:00 Keynote address-Half a century of walking with turtles Colin Limpus

Ancient mariners of the Sunshine Coast: continued long term monitoring 9:40 Kate Hofmeister of marine turtles in an urban coastal environment Marine turtle rehabilitation in Western Australia: a collaborative approach 9:50 Peta Moore from rehabilitation to release

10:00 Moreton Bay Marine Park: values and management Liz Vang

Sea turtle management aspirations of Port Curtis Coral Coast 10:10 Ric Fennessy Traditional Owners

10:20 The Kimberley Indigenous Saltwater Advisory Group (ISWAG) Dean Mathews

10:30–11.00 MORNING BREAK

SESSION TWO

Can flatback Natator( depressus) sea turtle embryos cope with 11:00 Jamie Tedeschi and adapt to high nest temperatures? End of the line? Nesting phenology shifts unable to mitigate adverse 11:10 Blair Bentley impacts of climate change on winter nesting sea turtles

11:20 A population in peril: Islands of hope in a feminising green turtle population Johanna Karam

Foraging Chelonia mydas around Green Island: a population literally 11:30 Alastair Freeman shrinking in size Keep off the grass: using exclusion cages to understand megaherbivore 11:40 Abbi Scott feeding on GBR seagrass meadows

11:50 High predation by fishes on turtle hatchlings at a site with a jetty Phillipa Wilson

Predator reduction strategies for protecting loggerhead turtle nests 12:00 Don Bradley at Sandy Cape, Fraser Island (K’gari) in Queensland Anti-predator meshing may provide greater protection for sea turtle 12:10 Kate Hofmeister nests than predator removal

12:20 LED street lighting: are turtle nesting beaches brightening? Catherine Bell

LUNCH BREAK 12:30 – 1.30 “Mystery of Gnaraloo Sea Turtles” Film Screening

14 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 4TH AUSTRALIAN MARINE TURTLE SYMPOSIUM SATURDAY 8 SEPTEMBER CONTINUED

SESSION THREE

The Raine Island Recovery Project: good project governance is critical 1:30 Mark Read to support adaptive management at the world’s largest green turtle rookery

1:45 Raine Island Recovery Project – working in partnership with Traditional Owners Tina Alderson

Sitting on bulldozers rather than sitting on hands – management actions 1:55 Andy Dunstan reverse failing green turtle reproduction at Raine Island

2:05 Reducing nesting turtle mortality on Raine Island through management actions Katharine Robertson

Foraminifera at Raine Island and their importance to the future of the 2:15 John Dawson cay as a turtle rookery

2:25 Nesting behaviour of green turtles at Raine Island Mark Hamann

Insights into the nesting season of green sea turtles on Raine Island 2:35 Saskia McDonald using satellite telemetry Can close nest proximity explain early embryo death in green turtle 2:45 David Booth nests at Raine Island?

2:55 – 3.30 AFTERNOON BREAK

Kellie Pendoley 3:30 – 4.30 WORKSHOP 1 – Light Issues Karen Arthur

Chris Hannocks 4:30–5:30 WORKSHOP 2 – Indigenous Talking Circle Ric Fennessy Dean Mathews

SUNDAY 9TH SEPTEMBER

SESSION FOUR

8:30 The World Science Festival’s loggerhead turtle ‘hatchery’ Patrick Couper

8:40 The importance of community involvement in sea turtle conservation Lesley Dimmock

8:50 Marine turtles at Ningaloo: current status and where to in the future Chantelle Coote

9:00 Get involved in CoralWatch and help to look after turtle habitat Natalie Lobartolo

9:10 11 years of turtle monitoring: the good news and the bad? Where to from here? Leigh Warneminde

9:20 Turtle strandings and management: Moreton Bay Marine Park Wayne Matthews

Monitoring Bargara’s marine turtles: working with marine turtles on public 9:30 Maree McLaren beaches and in people’s back yards The internet of turtles: state of the art tools for global marine turtle population 9:40 and threat monitoring with one of a kind photo identification system Christine Hof

9:50 Celebrating collaborations between conservation organisations and universities Jacques Laloe

Turtle watching: allying conservation, research and tourism for a case study in 10:00 Tyffen Read New Caledonia

10:10 Legal and illegal turtle harvest and trade in Solomon Islands Simon Vuto

10:20 On reflection of past 5 years of marine turtle monitoring in Torres Strait Andrew Simmonds

MORNING BREAK 10:30 – 11.00 National Bilby Day - Luke Curnow Award Presentation & cake cutting

10-8 SEPTEMBER 2018 15 PROGRAM CONTINUED

SUNDAY 9 SEPTEMBER CONTINUED

SESSION FIVE

11:00 Barnacle shell isotopes reveal important loggerhead turtle foraging habitats Ryan Pearson

Insights from stable isotope analysis of a southern and northern Great 11:10 Owen Coffee Barrier Reef green turtle rookery What can stable isotopes tell us about the ecology of green turtles at 11:20 Mat Vanderklift Ningaloo Reef?

11:30 The use of an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle to complete a sea turtle track census Paul Whittock

A collaborative model for turtle monitoring and predator control on the 11:40 Kerri Woodcock west coast of Cape York Peninsula Developmental migrations by hawksbill turtles from Cocos Keeling Islands 11:50 Scott Whiting to Western Indian Ocean: multiple lines of evidence

Using satellite tracking to examine whether the in-water regulatory 12:00 protections for the courting and nesting turtles using the northern beaches Simone Bosshard of K’gari-Fraser Island are adequate

Movement behaviour of green and hawksbill turtles on the Northwest 12:10 Michele Thums Shelf of Western Australia Telemetry of inter-nesting loggerhead turtles in the Woongarra coast: 12:20 Takahiro Shimada an indication of strategic habitat use

12:30 – 1.30 LUNCH BREAK

Karen Arthur, 1:30 WORKSHOP 3 – Movement and Metadata Fiona Bartlett

3:00 – 3.30PM AFTERNOON BREAK

Karen Arthur, 3:30 WORKSHOP 4 – Stable Isotopes Mat Vanderklift, Tony Tucker

Paul Whittock, 4:30 WORKSHOP 5 – Monitoring Technology Andrew Dunstan, Kevin Lay

5.30 – 7.30PM Silent Auction Function Kellie Pendoley

MONDAY 10TH SEPTEMBER

SESSION SIX

8:30 The illusion of islands: can fiction encourage conservation? Andrea Baldwin

Filling in the gaps: a case study of Central Queensland’s community monitoring 8:40 Karl French programs in a changing environment Going, going, gone! Predicted extirpation of hawksbill nesting on Milman Island, 8:50 Ian Bell northern Great Barrier Reef Pristine coastal ecosystem Barr Al Hikman, Oman: a refuge for Loggerhead and 9:00 Kiki Dethmers Hawksbill turtles in the Indian Ocean? Community monitoring, conservation, and securing the future of flatback turtles 9:10 Kelly Howlett in Port Hedland, Western Australia

9:20 Expansion of the strandings volunteer network Alicia Moisel

16 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 4TH AUSTRALIAN MARINE TURTLE SYMPOSIUM MONDAY 10TH SEPTEMBER CONTINUED

SESSION SIX CONTINUED

9:30 Flatback nesting numbers in North Western Australia: fables and foibles? Michael Guinea

Relative significance of the Muiron Islands in the Ningaloo Coast World 9:40 Dani Rob Heritage Area as nesting habitat for green, loggerhead and hawksbill turtles Distribution and abundance of nesting marine turtles in Northwestern 9:50 Tony Tucker Australia: pairing the landscape and local perspectives

10:00 Flatback monitoring at Curtis Island 2017-2018 season John Sergeev

Population genetics of flatback turtles: behavioural insights and 10:10 Nancy FitzSimmons conservation implications

10:20 Rapid epigenetic age-estimators for turtles Benjamin Mayne

10:30–11.00 MORNING BREAK

SESSION SEVEN

11:00 Gnaraloo Turtle Conservation Program: 10 years of surveys Karen Hattingh

11:10 Key components for conducting effective and efficient nesting track surveys Andrea Whiting

Body composition of sea turtles measured by bioelectrical impedance 11:20 Sarah Kophamel analysis: a new tool for health assessment?

11:30 Drones + Cameras + Turtles = Data Overload Nick Mortimer

How much plastic does it take to kill a turtle? A quantitative 11:40 Kathy Townsend analysis linking marine debris ingestion and sea turtle mortality Plastics vs. Turtles and how to deal with this issue: Daniel González 11:50 An overview of the Uruguayan case Paredes Kathy Townsend 12:00 – 12.30 WORKSHOP 6 – Marine Debris Daniel Gonzalez Mark Hamann LUNCH BREAK 12:30 – 1.30 “Turtle Odyssey” Film screening in adjacent theatre with REEF TOGETHER Event.

SESSION EIGHT

Green turtles as silent sentinels of pollution in the Great Barrier Reef – Rivers to 1:30 Cesar Villa Reef to Turtles Project Assessing the impacts of chemical contaminants in marine turtles using novel 1:40 Jason van de Merwe cell-based approaches Assessing the effects of contaminants in sea turtles using species-specific cell- 1:50 Kimberly Finlayson based bioassays

2:00 Female age does not influence hatchling vigour in loggerhead turtles David Booth

Microclimatic effects on the incubation success, hatchling morphology and 2:10 Melissa Staines locomotor performance of loggerhead turtles Seroprevalence of fibropapilomatosis in clinical and non-clinical tumour 2:20 Adam Wilkinson expressing green turtle (Chelonia mydas) populations of the Great Barrier Reef

2:30 A full life cycle Dynamic Energy Budget model for Ningaloo green turtles Jessica Stubbs

2:40 Understanding characteristics of sea turtle volunteers in Queensland, Australia Edith Shum

2:50 Concluding Remarks Colin Limpus

3:00 – 3.30 AFTERNOON BREAK

3:30 – 4.15 WORKSHOP 7 – Future AMTS Business Nev & Bev McLachlan

10-8 SEPTEMBER 2018 17 “We have more green turtles in our bays and reefs of south Queensland than you can poke a stick at compared to numbers in the 1960s but leatherback turtles are no longer coming ashore on our beaches to nest.” Colin J. Limpus

18 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 4TH AUSTRALIAN MARINE TURTLE SYMPOSIUM 4TH AUSTRALIAN MARINE TURTLE SYMPOSIUM CONTENTS 08 10 13 23

SPONSORS / FOREWORD PROGRAM KEYNOTE ADDRESS ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 27

PRESENTATION ABSTRACTS

Session Chairs 27 Female age does not influence 35 hatchling vigour in loggerhead turtles Raine Island Recovery Project – working 28 in partnership with Traditional Owners Insights from stable isotope analysis 36 of a southern and northern Great The illusion of islands: can fiction 29 Barrier Reef green turtle rookery encourage conservation? Marine turtles at Ningaloo: current 37 LED street lighting: are turtle nesting 30 status and where to in the future beaches brightening? The World Science Festival’s 38 A population in peril: islands of hope in a 31 loggerhead turtle ‘hatchery’ feminising green turtle population Foraminifera at Raine Island and 39 Going, going, gone!: predicted extirpation 32 their importance to the future of of hawksbill nesting on Milman Island, the cay as a turtle rookery northern Great Barrier Reef Pristine coastal ecosystem 40 End of the line? Nesting phenology shifts 33 Barr Al Hikman, Oman: a refuge unable to mitigate adverse impacts of for loggerhead and hawksbill turtles climate change on winter nesting sea turtles in the Indian Ocean? Can close nest proximity explain early 34 The importance of community 41 embryo death in green turtle nests at involvement in sea turtle Raine Island? conservation

10-8 SEPTEMBER 2018 19 CONTENTs CONTINUED Turtle strandings and management 63 PRESENTATION ABSTRACTS – Moreton Bay Marine Park Sitting on bulldozers rather than sitting on 42 Rapid epigenetic age-estimators 64 hands: management actions reverse failing for turtles green turtle reproduction at Raine Island Insights into the nesting season 65 Sea turtle management aspirations of 43 of green sea turtles on Raine Island Port Curtis Coral Coast Traditional Owners using satellite telemetry Assessing the effects of contaminants 44 Monitoring Bargara’s marine turtles: 66 in sea turtles using species-specific working with marine turtles on public cell-based bioassays beaches and in people’s back yards Population genetics of flatback turtles: 45 Expansion of the strandings volunteer 67 behavioural insights and conservation network implications Marine turtle rehabilitation in Western 68 Foraging Chelonia mydas around Green 47 Australia: a collaborative approach Island: a population literally shrinking in size from rehabilitation to release Filling in the gaps: a case study of central 48 Drones + Cameras + Turtles 69 Queensland’s community monitoring = Data Overload programs in a changing environment Anti-predator meshing may provide 70 Plastics vs. turtles and how to deal with 49 greater protection for sea turtle nests this issue: an overview of the Uruguayan case than predator removal Flatback nesting numbers in North 50 Barnacle shell isotopes reveal important 71 Western Australia: fables and foibles? loggerhead turtle foraging habitats Nesting behaviour of green turtles 51 The Raine Island Recovery Project: 72 at Raine Island Good project governance is critical to support adaptive management at the Gnaraloo Turtle Conservation Program 52 world’s largest green turtle rookery – 10 years of surveys Turtle watching: allying conservation, 73 Green turtles as silent sentinels of 53 research and tourism for a case study pollution in the Great Barrier Reef in New Caledonia – Rivers to Reef to Turtles Project Relative significance of the Muiron 74 Ancient mariners of the Sunshine Coast: 55 Islands in the Ningaloo Coast World continued long term monitoring of marine Heritage Area as nesting habitat for turtles in an urban coastal environment green, loggerhead and hawksbill turtles The internet of turtles – state of the art 56 Reducing nesting turtle mortality on 75 tools for global marine turtle population Raine Island through management and threat monitoring with one of a kind actions photo identification system Keep off the grass: using exclusion cages 76 Community monitoring, conservation 57 to understand megaherbivore feeding and securing the future of flatback turtles on Great Barrier Reef seagrass meadows in Port Headland, Western Australia Flatback monitoring at Curtis Island 77 Body composition of sea turtles measured 58 2017–2019 season by bioelectrical impedance analysis – a new tool for health assessment? Telemetry of inter-nesting loggerhead 78 turtles in the Woongarra coast: an Celebrating collaborations between 59 indication of strategic habitat use conservation organisations and universities Understanding characteristics of sea 79 Get involved in CoralWatch and help 60 turtle volunteers in Queensland, to look after turtle habitat Australia The Kimberley Indigenous Saltwater 61 On reflection of past five years of 80 Advisory Group (ISWAG) marine turtle monitoring in Torres Strait

20 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 4TH AUSTRALIAN MARINE TURTLE SYMPOSIUM Microclimatic effects on the incubation 81 Seroprevalence of fibropapilomatosis 97 success, hatchling morphology in clinical and non-clinical tumour and locomotor performance of expressing green turtle (Chelonia mydas) loggerhead turtles populations of the Great Barrier Reef Predator reduction strategies for 82 High predation by fishes on turtle 98 protecting loggerhead turtle nests hatchlings at a site with a jetty at Sandy Cape, Fraser Island (K’gari) A collaborative model for turtle in Queensland 99 monitoring and predator control on Using satellite tracking to examine 83 the west coast of Cape York Peninsula whether the in-water regulatory protections for the courting and nesting turtles using the northern beaches 100 of K’gari–Fraser Island are adequate POSTERS TurtleCare activity at Currimundi A full life cycle Dynamic Energy Budget 100 84 Beach, Sunshine Coast model for Ningaloo green turtles Buddina Beach: a team effort Can flatback (Natator depressus) sea 85 101 turtle embryos cope with and adapt TurtleCare Sunshine Coast: a model 102 to high nest temperatures? for success in citizen science Movement behaviour of green and 86 Use of environmental enrichment 103 hawksbill turtles on the Northwest devices for improved welfare of Shelf of Western Australia hospitalised turtles Distribution and abundance of 87 Temperature and hydric cues 104 nesting marine turtles in Northwestern for Flatback (Natator depressus) Australia: Pairing the landscape and nesting transition local perspectives TurtleCare activity at Bokarina Beach, 105 Assessing the impacts of chemical 88 Sunshine Coast contaminants in marine turtles using novel cell-based approaches What can stable isotopes tell us 89 WORKSHOPS 107 about the ecology of green turtles at Ningaloo Reef? Lighting Issues Workshop 108 Moreton Bay Marine Park: 90 Indigenous Rangers Talking Circle 109 Values and Management Movement and Metadata Workshop 110 Legal and illegal turtle harvest 91 and trade in Solomon Islands Stable Isotope Workshop 111 11 years of turtle monitoring – the good 92 Monitoring Technology Workshop 112 news and the bad? Where to from here? Marine Debris Workshop 113 Key components for conducting 93 effective and efficient nesting track surveys Australian Marine Turtle Symposium 114 Future Planning Developmental migrations by 94 hawksbill turtles from Cocos Keeling Islands to Western Indian Ocean: multiple lines of evidence REEF TOGETHER EVENT 128 The use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle 95 129 to complete a sea turtle track census FEEDBACK FROM DELEGATES How much plastic does it take to kill a turtle? 96 A quantitative analysis linking marine debris THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR ingestion and sea turtle mortality DELEGATES FOR YOUR SUPPORT 133

10-8 SEPTEMBER 2018 21 22 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 4TH AUSTRALIAN MARINE TURTLE SYMPOSIUM KEYNOTE ADDRESS HALF A CENTURY OF WALKING WITH TURTLES COLIN J LIMPUS Aquatic Species Program, Queensland Department of Environment and Science

What has impressed me The eastern Australian loggerhead The sex of marine turtles was most about walking and population plummeted from about assumed to be determined by sex 3,500 nesting females annually in chromosomes. In response to a working with marine the mid 1970s to about 500 nesting 1967 paper that debated whether turtles for over 50 years annually in 2000. Conservation or not the flatback turtle, Chelonia has been “change”! pressure forced the fishing industry depressa, was a valid species, Dr to change and turtle exclusion Robert Bustard persuaded me We have more green turtles devices (TEDs) were regulated for to commence a study of flatback in our bays and reefs of south compulsory use in trawl fisheries turtles in 1968 at Mon Repos. Queensland than you can poke a of eastern and northern Australia Technology was a limiting factor stick at compared to numbers in in 2001, with an increasing eastern behind our studies in those days. the 1960s but leatherback turtles Australian loggerhead turtle I started my research in 1968 using are no longer coming ashore on population in the years since. our beaches to nest. Prawn trawl a slide rule for maths and statistical bycatch mortality of loggerhead Looking back, it is hard to accept calculations, buying my first turtles was trivial when the trawl how limited our understanding of electric calculator that was able shot times were about half an hour marine turtle biology was when our to take square roots in 1974 and in the 1960s (a loggerhead could studies commenced in 1968. In the we wrote the first computerised hold its breath for that long). As 1960s – early 1970s, loggerheads reports within Queensland Parks trawlers increased in size, towed and hawksbills were not generally and Wildlife Service on a desktop bigger and more nets and shot accepted as migratory. It was computer that I purchased in 1983. times increased to about 2 hours, argued that most green turtles only loggerhead mortality in prawn bred for a single breeding season trawls escalated. in their life. Based on captive growth studies, marine turtles were thought to commence breeding at about 10 years of age.

10-8 SEPTEMBER 2018 23 The monel flipper tag, first used by Following Pieau’s 1970s Technologies continued to improve Tom Harrison in Sarawak in the early revolutionary studies demonstrating through the 1990s with mtDNA 1950s, was in wide use globally in that the sex of European terrestrial sequencing and nuclear DNA the 1960s. However, the monel tag and freshwater turtles was analysis. We now know that the dissolved (corroded) in seawater determined by the temperature of genetic stock management unit and usually was lost from the turtle the nest, Mrozovsky and Yntema in for marine turtles consists of a within a few years of application, Canada and Jeff Miller and I here series of interbreeding populations compromising our capacity to in Queensland, published the first nesting on adjacent beaches, with complete long-term studies of the studies demonstrating temperature those beaches encompassing a turtles. We benefited from the space dependent sex determination spread of sand temperatures that age development of readily available in marine turtles. At first, many will give a mix of male and female non-corrosive metals (Titanium and biologists had trouble accepting hatchlings. There has been a big Inconel 625) used in heat shields for these results that contradicted change in thinking from the 1960s space capsules. George Balazs in Mendelian inheritance principles. when it was thought that we could Hawaii led the development of the conserve the southern GBR green In 1982, Prof John Maloney invited Inconel tag produced by National turtle population by only protecting me to visit the Royal Prince Alfred Band and Tag Company and we led nesting populations at isolated Hospital in Melbourne where I was the development of the titanium islands such as Heron Island. trained in laparoscopy by Dr Carl tag manufactured by Stockbrands. Woods’ team – the medical team The space age again enters the These non-corrosive tags and the that pioneered human invitro scene to enhance our capacity for later development of PIT tags have fertilisation. Our application of learning more about marine turtle revolutionised our capacity to laparoscopy for visual examination biology with the development maintain recognition of individual of gonads of crocodiles and of satellite telemetry. After the turtles in the wild across decades. marine turtles, commencing in success of Richard Byles with his Without these tags, modern long- 1983, revolutionised our capacity early satellite telemetry studies term capture-mark-recapture to routinely identify critical in the late 1980s, the technology studies would have been ineffective. demographic parameters based on continued to improve and has been For example, we now know that our sex, maturity and breeding status of embraced widely here in Australia. southern Great Barrier Reef green free-ranging foraging populations. Our understanding of the foraging turtles commence breeding at more distribution of adult females, relative than 30 years of age and have the Back in the 1970s we tried to to their nesting beaches, (gained by capacity to breed typically every 5 or establish the genetic relatedness flipper tag recoveries) has not been 6 years throughout an adult life that of nesting populations within greatly improved by the results of can span more than 40 years. the region using isozyme satellite geometry, but our capacity electrophoresis with limited success. to define migratory corridors, In the late 1980s Brian Bowen in the home ranges & habitat usage has USA opened the door into genetic improved greatly. stock identification via mtDNA fragmentation studies.

24 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 4TH AUSTRALIAN MARINE TURTLE SYMPOSIUM While technology has been To maintain good coral reefs, There are comprehensive improving our capacity to better seagrass meadows and other environmental data sets available understand marine turtle biology, benthic inshore communities, we as for analyses. There are now the turtle populations have been a society need to greatly reduce and decades of monitoring data for confronted with environmental minimise sediment and chemical our marine turtles. There is a wide changes. In 2011 we saw an order of runoff from mainland habitats which range of technologies available magnitude increase in green turtle have been extensively altered by for investigating responses of our and dugong mortality along the human activities (land clearing for turtles to environmental change – eastern Queensland coast following farmland, urban development and and these technologies will keep the extreme flooding events of industrial areas). These sediments improving across the years. It is 2010-2011 summer and Tropical and chemicals end up in our coastal time to be testing the hypotheses Cyclone Yazi – extreme level floods waters in response to elevated regarding climate change impacts that had not occurred since 1893. rainfall events. on marine turtles and developing Similar extreme flooding events appropriate responses to Our appreciation of the influence occurred in the 1870s and 1893 but circumvent demonstrated negative of environmental change began none of these events come close impacts. A recent study led by to improve in the 1980s. That to Queensland’s highest recorded Michael Jensen and Ian Bell found was when we discovered that the flood level of 1842. Unfortunately, that there was strong evidence of major fluctuations in annual green records were not kept on how turtle reduced recruitment of juvenile turtle nesting numbers of eastern and dugong populations recovered green turtles to residency in the Australia were in response to the El after these earlier extreme flooding coral reefs of the Howick Reefs of Nino – Southern Oscillation climate events. Back in the 19th Century, the northern GBR and that this cycle with an approximate two-year their concern for the turtles appears recruitment is excessively biased to lag time between the climate event to have been confined to where females. This study rings loud alarm and the numbers of nesting turtles they could be found so they could bells about increased temperatures arriving at the nesting beaches. be hunted for food and turtle soup feminising the nGBR green turtle production. Marine turtles are now challenged stock. However, an analysis of by the globally driven environmental recruitment of juvenile green turtles Attitudes have changed and today changes as a consequence of to widely distributed foraging areas we try to understand the causes of increased greenhouse gas emissions for the sGBR stock over the last major negative impacts on wildlife. linked to increasing human three decades shows a masculinising Recent studies have demonstrated populations and industry. No longer trend. that river outflow is the primary are turtles just under the influence driver of variable annual mortality of These inconsistent results indicate of the natural climate cycles. They green turtles, dugong and inshore that we still have an incomplete are impacted also by environmental dolphins in eastern Queensland. understanding of marine turtle changes resulting from human Elevated river outflow alters coastal biology and population dynamics. activities over recent centuries. habitats via major reductions in As we move into the second half Many of us have participated in inshore salinity, increased turbidity century of marine turtle studies formulating hypotheses regarding blocking sunlight to submerged and conservation in Queensland, how we might expect marine turtle macrophytes (sea grass, algae) and we will be faced with continuing populations to respond to issues sediment settlement smothering environmental change and human such as increasing temperatures the more sessile benthic organisms. activities negatively impacting our (air, sea and sand), rising sea levels, Results from diverse studies like turtles. Are we up to the challenge altered patterns of rainfall, changed these within the Great Barrier Reef of continuing to improve our patterns of intensity and frequency have led to a change in conservation understanding of marine turtle of cyclones and associated habitat emphasis for inshore coastal biology and develop changes changes. It is now 30 years since I habitats of eastern Queensland. to improve their conservation attended the first public forum to management. discuss the potential impacts of “global warming” on Queensland and the Great Barrier Reef.

10-8 SEPTEMBER 2018 25 26 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 4TH AUSTRALIAN MARINE TURTLE SYMPOSIUM 4TH AUSTRALIAN MARINE TURTLE SYMPOSIUM ABSTRACTS SESSION CHAIR

Nev McLachlan TurtleCare Wreck Rock SESSION ONE Bev McLachlan TurtleCare Wreck Rock

Ian Bell Queensland Government SESSION TWO Chris van de Wetering Queensland Turtle Conservation Project

Mark Read Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority SESSION THREE John Serjeev Queensland Government

Mark Hamman James Cook University SESSION FOUR Rochelle Ferris James Cook University

David Booth University of Queensland SESSION FIVE Jamie Tedeschi University of Western Australia

Jason van de Merwe Griffith University SESSION SIX Simone Bosshard Sunshine Coast Council

Mick Guinea Charles Darwin University: Austurtle SESSION SEVEN Kelly Howlett Care for Headland Environmental Association Inc.

Kate Hofmeister Sunshine Coast Council SESSION EIGHT Catherine Bell Pendoley Environmental Pty Ltd

Kellie Pendoley Pendoley Environmental Pty Ltd WORKSHOP 1: LIGHT ISSUES Karen Arthur Commonwealth Department of Environment

Karen Arthur Commonwealth Department of Environment WORKSHOP 2: MOVEMENT AND METADATA Fiona Bartlett Commonwealth Department of Environment

Chris Hannock Mapoon Land and Sea Centre WORKSHOP 3: INDIGENOUS Ric Fennessy Gidarjil Development Corporation TALKING CIRCLE Dean Mathews Nyamba Buru Yawuru

Commonwealth Department of Environment Karen Arthur Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial WORKSHOP 4: STABLE ISOTOPES Mat Vanderklift Research Organisation Tony Tucker Western Australia Government

Paul Whittock Pendoley Environmental WORKSHOP 5: MONITORING TECHNOLOGY Andrew Dunstan Queensland Government Kevin Lay Wildlife Computers

Kathy Townsend University of Sunshine Coast WORKSHOP 6: MARINE DEBRIS Daniel Gonzalez James Cook University Mark Hamman James Cook University

Nev McLachlan TurtleCare Wreck Rock WORKSHOP 7: FUTURE AMTS BUSINESS Bev McLachlan TurtleCare Wreck Rock

10-8 SEPTEMBER 2018 27 ABSTRACT Raine Island Recovery Project – working in partnership with Traditional Owners

AUTHORS Key partners in the Raine Island The governance structure of Tina Alderson1 Recovery Project are the Traditional the Project recognises these Peter Wallis2 Owners - Wuthathi, from Cape York, connections with three Wuthathi and Jimmy Passi3 and Kemerkemer Meriam Nation, and three Kemerkemer Meriam from the eastern most Torres Strait Nation members on the 14-member 1Raine Island Recovery Project, Islands of Ugar, Mer and Erub. Project Reference Group. Traditional Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, Owners are key decision makers as Raine Island has a complex cultural Cairns, Queensland 4870 well as having a hands-on role on landscape with its history spanning 2Wuthathi Aboriginal Corporation, all field trips. Two of the Traditional tens of thousands of years and Cairns, Queensland 4870 Owner rangers, Jimmy Passi and involving many layers of human 3 Peter Wallis, will talk about their Kemerkemer Meriam Nation interaction, connection, and impact. (Ugar, Mer, Erub), Torres Strait, roles as part of the Project. Wuthathi have ancient connections Queensland 4875 with Raine Island going back tens of CONTACT DETAILS thousands of years when Raine was [email protected] a pinnacle jutting out of the ocean about 5km from the coastline – it is now over 100km from the current coastline. Kemerkemer Meriam Nation connections are more recent commencing after Raine Island became a sand cay approximately 3000 years ago.

28 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 4TH AUSTRALIAN MARINE TURTLE SYMPOSIUM ABSTRACT The illusion of islands: can fiction encourage conservation?

AUTHORS Can a novel about turtles Just as its protagonist can lead Andrea Baldwin persuade readers to support turtle us into new adventures, a story’s conservation? Can fiction work as setting can portray the more-than- Mon Repos Research Station, activism? Eco-writer Andrea Baldwin human world in a light the reader Bargara QLD 4670 reads briefly from The Illusion of may never have considered before. CONTACT DETAILS Islands, a novel inspired by Mon Neurologically, the written word is [email protected] Repos and informed by the author’s a more powerful means of insisting experience as a research volunteer on the value of turtles, beaches and at the station. The novel was short- oceans than visual representation listed for the Richell Prize in 2015 through photography or film. and is currently under consideration Reading enlists the reader’s mind by a major Australian publisher. in a completely different way. The reader becomes an equal partner Human cultures have always with the writer in generating meaning told stories. A growing number from words written on a page, and of Australian science writers and this collaboration increases the journalists are turning to fiction to reader’s commitment to acting on present scientific fact in engaging, that meaning. Fiction can give the persuasive, powerful ways. With so reader information (knowledge), but many Australians now living in cities because it intrinsically does this in an and losing touch with the realities emotionally-coloured way, it has the of the natural world, the writer-as- power to also change attitudes – a activist is under pressure to make necessary step to affecting behaviour environmental issues feel relevant to readers everywhere. Humans are hard-wired to identify and empathise with the protagonists of stories. The protagonist stands in for the reader: he or she is the vehicle in which we ride to imaginatively experience the world of the book. Neurological studies indicate that activation occurs in the same parts of the brain when reading about a character’s experience as when physically having that experience (e.g. eating, running, fighting off an attack). When the protagonist of a story engages with turtles, we go along too – intellectually, emotionally, and even physically. In this way, fiction can make an ‘abstract’ or ‘distant’ issue feel immediate, personal and urgent.

10-8 SEPTEMBER 2018 29 ABSTRACT LED street lighting: are turtle nesting beaches brightening?

AUTHORS We designed a regional light There is a growing body of research, Catherine Bell pollution monitoring program providing evidence of directly related Kellie Pendoley using Sky42™ technology, to provide impairment of human, wildlife Hugh Osborn information for the Council to use and ecosystem health resulting to meet the targets set within their from artificial light and which is Pendoley Environmental Pty Ltd, Plan. Once approved, a second amplified in the case of LEDs, which Perth, Western Australia, 6154 council was invited and included. is becoming harder to ignore. White LEDs are enriched in blue light, the CONTACT DETAILS Sky42™ gathered light images wavelength turtles [email protected] over three nights at each of 27 are most sensitive to. monitoring sites on 16 nesting beaches covering a 60 km stretch In the current and repeat annual of the Queensland coastline. Images surveys, the program will establish were analysed using custom written benchmark light emission levels in software to quantify brightness at each survey area, describing the zenith, on the horizon and for the night sky horizon and measuring whole of sky in astronomical units lighting from marine turtle nesting of magnitude/arcsec2. beaches, providing data to address concerns regarding LED lighting and In its first year the program: the understand cumulative impacts quantified and described the existing of light on turtles. This information night sky horizon, identified primary will inform strategic planning sources of sky-glow and problematic decisions and support effective point sources of light, designed and management of light missions on targeted emissions management nesting marine turtle populations approach and quantified the on Queensland’s ever brighter contribution of Light Emitting Diodes nesting beaches. There is potential (LEDs) carpark lighting measured at for rapid uptake of the program an adjacent nesting beach. among Australia’s coastal councils Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) and scope to measure monitor and provide cost-efficiencies from manage impacts to a broader range reduced energy consumption of biological receptors, including due to longer-lasting bulbs and turtles. brighter light. Using LEDs to meet sustainability targets, councils across Australia are rapidly replacing incandescent bulbs, with over 300,000 bulbs replaced to date.

30 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 4TH AUSTRALIAN MARINE TURTLE SYMPOSIUM ABSTRACT A population in peril: islands of hope in a feminising green turtle population in the northern Great Barrier Reef

AUTHORS A recent article by Jensen et al Examination of sand temperature Ian Bell1 (2018) indicated that major green and nesting habitat data collected Johanna Karam2 turtle rookeries in the northern during 20 summer nesting seasons, David Booth3 Great Barrier Reef (GBR) have suggests that the vegetation on 4 been producing an almost entirely the island may play an important Andrew Dunstan female hatchling output for at least role in providing a natural source 1Aquatic Species Program, Department two decades. Sand temperatures of shade and subsequent cooler of Environment and Science, Garbutt recorded in recent years at Raine nesting habitat. In the years East, QLD, 4814 Island, a grass‐covered coral cay where habitat was recorded for 2Sea Turtle Foundation, Cairns, and home to the largest green turtle the majority of observed nests, it Queensland, QLD 4870 rookery in the world, suggest that was found that 56‐85% of nests 3University of Queensland, Brisbane, the island is likely to be producing were laid under cover of the trees QLD 4072 close to 100% females. and shrubs that fringe much of the island. By collating these sand 4Department of Environment and Milman Islet is a small vegetated temperature and nesting habitat Science, Brisbane QLD 4001 sand cay around 120km north west data, we estimate that, even in the CONTACT DETAILS of Raine Island, 28km off the east hottest summer seasons, Milman [email protected] coast of Cape York Peninsula. It has Island would likely contribute males been an index site for monitoring into a population where they are one of the largest cohorts of nesting desperately needed. hawksbill turtles in Queensland and the western Pacific. While less known for its nesting green turtles, the island is a good proxy indicator for how many small inshore‐vegetated islands of the northern GBR and Torres Strait are functioning as green turtle rookeries. Nesting hawksbill and green turtles have been monitored and sand temperatures recorded on the Island during the peak summer nesting season since 1990. Whilst the number of green hatchlings produced on the island are very small compared to those from Raine Island, a look at sand temperatures and turtle nesting habitat on Milman Islet suggest islands such as these may be the best hope for providing male turtles into the northern GBR breeding population.

10-8 SEPTEMBER 2018 31 ABSTRACT Going, going, gone!: predicted extirpation of hawksbill nesting on Milman Island, northern Great Barrier Reef

AUTHORS Globally hawksbill turtles, In summary, the results suggest Ian Bell1 Eretmochelys imbricata are listed a marked, continuing decline Justin Meager2 as a Critically Endangered species, of hawksbill nesting at Milman Jeffrey Miller3 which has been largely attributed Island as a likely consequence of 4 to historical take to support the excessive, unsustainable take to Kirsten Dobbs tortoise shell (bekko) industry. meet demand for tortoise shell. This 5 Tomo Eguchi Yet there have been few long- study highlights the importance Christine Hof6 term analyses of data describing of monitoring the demographics population trends or survivorship. and threats at nesting and foraging 1Department of Environment and grounds of this endangered Science, Aquatic Species Program, Here we present the results of population and immediately Townsville, QLD, 4810. analysing a long-term, 27-year initiating urgent action to address 2Department of Environment and dataset for a major western Pacific threats. Science, Aquatic Species Program, hawksbill nesting population on Brisbane, QLD, 4001. Milman Island on the northern Great 3Biological Research and Barrier Reef. Milman Island is an Education Consultants. Missoula, index site chosen to represent the Montana, 59801. broader north-east Queensland 4Environmental Assessment and hawksbill genetic stock. Protection, Great Barrier Reef Marine Nester abundance and survivorship Park Authority, Townsville, QLD, 4810. were estimated by a multistate 5Marine Turtle Ecology and open robust design model (MSORD) Assessment Program, National Marine for a dataset including 21 years of Fisheries Service La Jolla, CA 92037 sampling across the period from 6World Wildlife Fund for 1990 to 2016. The MSORD model Nature, Marine Species Project, estimated that the number of Brisbane, QLD, 4001. nesters fluctuated from year to year, CONTACT DETAILS but with an overall decline from a [email protected] maximum of 437 (422-451) in 1996 to a minimum of 141 (137 to 147) in the 2016 nesting season. Survival probability was not estimable for individual years because of several unsurveyed seasons, but ranged 0.96 (0.80-0.99) in 1993 to 0.84 (0.72 to 0. 92) with overall survival estimated to be 0.972 (0.965 to 0.977). Modelling indicates that if an unabated rate of decline continues nesting will cease around 2036, although 95% confidence intervals suggest extirpation between 2024 and 2080.

32 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 4TH AUSTRALIAN MARINE TURTLE SYMPOSIUM ABSTRACT End of the line? Nesting phenology shifts unable to mitigate adverse impacts of climate change on winter nesting sea turtles

AUTHORS Understanding how climate change We employ a mechanistic modelling Blair Bentley1 will affect sea turtle nesting beaches approach to assess the impacts Scott Whiting2 is a fundamental consideration of climate change on embryonic Nicola Mitchell1 for threat abatement and species mortality and sex ratios at four recovery plans. Increasing ambient flatback (Natator depressus) and two 1University of Western Australia, temperatures are expected to lead green (Chelonia mydas) sea turtle School of Biological Sciences, to increased embryonic mortality rookeries. The model provides an Crawley, WA 6009 and wide-scale rookery feminization overview of rookery outputs over 2Department of Biodiversity, for all sea turtle species, threatening a broad spatial-scale at typical nest Conservation and Attractions, population persistence. These depths, using temporally robust Marine Science Program, effects will vary between species interpolated climate surfaces. Kensington, WA 6151 and populations as a consequence We show that climate change will CONTACT DETAILS of existing environmental have the greatest impact on winter [email protected] heterogeneity, regional differences nesting populations of N. depressus in the magnitude of climate change, in the tropical north of Western and population-specific thermal Australia. These rookeries are most thresholds. susceptible as sand temperatures at nesting depths are generally warmer than other rookeries, and their current nesting phenology does not allow for temporal shifts in nesting to a cooler period of the year. In contrast, summer nesting populations of both N. depressus and C. mydas appear to be less at risk from increasing ambient temperatures, due in part to their slightly higher thermal thresholds and because they can alter their nesting phenology to avoid suboptimal temperatures. Taken together, our findings demonstrate the need for population-specific models to guide the most appropriate conservation strategy.

10-8 SEPTEMBER 2018 33 ABSTRACT Can close nest proximity explain early embryo death in green turtle nests at Raine Island?

AUTHORS Raine Island hosts the largest Our investigation found that the David Booth1 nesting aggregation of green turtles proportion of early embryo death Andy Dunstan2 in the world, but nest emergence was greatest in two nests that were success and hence recruitment of adjacent to mature nests and that 1University of Queensland, hatchlings off the beach appear to these nests experienced the highest St. Lucia, QLD have significantly declined since nest temperature, lowest PO2 and 2Department of Environment and the 1990s. Nests destroyed by highest PCO2 during the first week Science, Brisbane, QLD subsequent nesting turtles, and nest of incubation. This suggests that CONTACT DETAILS failure due to flooding account for these variables either by themselves [email protected] most of the nest failure, but many or in combination be the underlying nests still have poor hatch success cause of early embryo death. As even when undisturbed and flood- such these observations support the free with embryos typically dying hypothesis that placing new nests within the first week of incubation. in close proximity to mature nests can cause high early stage embryo We hypothesis that this early stage mortality. embryo death might be caused by the low oxygen concentration, high carbon dioxide concentration and elevated nest temperature that would be experienced in these nests if they were laid in close proximity to maturing nests that are close to hatching. To test this hypotheses, we measured nest temperature and oxygen (PO2) and carbon dioxide (PCO2) partial pressures during the first week after nest construction in nests that were unaffected by adjacent nests, and in two nests that were adjacent to mature nests and then monitored hatching success and stage of embryo death in all monitored nests.

34 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 4TH AUSTRALIAN MARINE TURTLE SYMPOSIUM ABSTRACT Female age does not influence hatchling vigour in loggerhead turtles

AUTHORS Sea turtle hatchling quality in terms We found no effect of age class on David Booth1 of size and locomotion performance any of the attributes we measured Kelsey O’Leary1 are assumed to influence hatchling which supports the hypothesis Colin Limpus2 fitness. In this study we investigated that female age does not affect the possible effect of female age on the quality of hatchlings that she 1University of Queensland, hatchling quality in the population of produces. St. Lucia, QLD loggerhead turtles that nest at Mon 2Department of Environment Repos beach. A sample of females and Science, Dutton Park, QLD was divided into three age classes: CONTACT DETAILS young (less than 5 years since first [email protected] breeding), old (greater than 25 years since first breeding) and middle aged (between 5 and 25 years since fist breeding), and the egg size, clutch size, hatchling size, hatchling self-righting ability and hatchling crawling speed compared between size classes.

10-8 SEPTEMBER 2018 35 ABSTRACT Insights from stable isotope analysis of a southern and northern Great Barrier Reef green turtle rookery

AUTHORS The use of satellite telemetry Given the success in the northern Owen Coffee1 and stable isotope analysis methods hemisphere, SIA was used to Colin Limpus2 have become popular to investigate determine if turtles from the David Booth1 foraging ground habitat use, sGBR breeding stock could be diet and migratory behaviour distinguished from Raine Island 1University of Queensland, in marine turtles. nesting turtles of the nGBR breeding School of Biological Sciences, stock as they were thought to In this study, nesting green St Lucia, Qld, 4072 originate from different regions. turtles were sampled over three 2Queensland Department However, the range in C12/13 values consecutive breeding seasons of Environment and Science, for turtles sampled for the sGBR (2015-16, 2016-17 & 2017-18) Dutton Park, Qld, 4102 and the nGBR breeding stocks were and from two separate breeding similar (-8.3 to -19.8 for sGBR & -6.4 CONTACT DETAILS stocks; the southern and northern to -20.3 for nGBR). Consequently, [email protected] Great Barrier Reef (sGBR & the sampled populations from the nGBR), to determine if the nesting sGBR and nGBR breeding stocks populations could be distinguished could not be distinguished by by their stable isotopic values. In their C12/13 isotopic values. There collaboration with the Raine Island was some variation identified in recovery project, tissue samples observed N14/15 values. For the were taken from a cohort of nesting nGBR breeding stock the foraging turtles to determine whether stable grounds of the 21 nesting turtles isotope analysis (SIA) could identify tracked by satellite telemetry from the foraging regions of the broader Raine Island were assigned to three Raine Island nesting population in broad foraging regions; The Gulf of tandem with satellite telemetry. Carpentaria (n = 5), the northern Over the course of the nesting Great Barrier Reef (n = 11) and the seasons, 166 nesting individuals Torres Strait (n = 5). were sampled from the nGBR The variation in isotopic values breeding stock on Raine Island observed from the turtles foraging (including 21 with foraging grounds within each of these regions was ascertained through satellite such that the foraging areas of our telemetry) and 182 nesting green larger cohort with unknown foraging turtles were sampled from the grounds could not be determined; sGBR breeding stock on Heron no latitudinal or longitudinal trends Island. Stable isotopic analysis were evident. Differences in the (SIA) has been used successfully in oceanography of these regions nesting populations in the northern may influence the expected isotopic hemisphere to identify the foraging gradients that have been utilised to regions of nesting turtles along a identify foraging grounds in turtle latitudinal gradient. populations overseas. A greater body of research is required on the east coast of Australia to determine if this method can yield similar results.

36 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 4TH AUSTRALIAN MARINE TURTLE SYMPOSIUM ABSTRACT Marine turtles at Ningaloo: current status and where to in the future

AUTHORS Three species of marine turtle The data collected so far have Chantelle Coote nest within the Ningaloo Coast enabled key turtle nesting beaches Peter Barnes World Heritage Area, green turtles to be identified. Since then a trend Dani Rob (Chelonia mydas), loggerhead turtles analysis has been conducted every (Caretta caretta) and hawksbill three years, including in 2016. Parks and Wildlife Service at turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata). The latest analyses showed that the Department of Biodiversity, As a result of known pressures although there is large annual Conservation & Attractions, on turtle populations, the variation in the estimated number of Exmouth, WA Ningaloo Turtle Program (NTP) annual tracks and nests (especially CONTACT DETAILS was established in 2002 as a for green turtles), there have been [email protected] collaborative effort between the no significant long-term increases Parks and Wildlife Service and the or decreases in predicted nesting Cape Conservation Group with the abundance for any species. aim of predicting long-term trends Viewing nesting turtles and in marine turtle populations along hatchlings has become an the Ningaloo Coast. increasingly popular occurrence Each season national and along the Ningaloo Coast over the international volunteers and local past few years. This provides a community members monitor challenge and an opportunity for turtle nesting activity on designated managing turtle nesting, hatchling sections of beach. Volunteers interactions and conserving turtle record turtle nests (per species populations and providing a and by location), false crawls, nest sustainable tourism activity. The disturbance, predator presence, Ningaloo Coast is one of the most turtle tag sightings, turtle rescues important turtle nesting rookeries and mortalities. in the Indian Ocean, a key reason for the World Heritage listing in 2011. Looking into the future we want to investigate how we can continue to effectively manage turtle nesting and hatchling interactions and opportunities for turtle tourism, education and engagement of visitors.

10-8 SEPTEMBER 2018 37 ABSTRACT The World Science Festival’s loggerhead turtle ‘hatchery’

AUTHORS They are initially incubated at Hatchling turtles have tremendous Patrick Couper1 the Mon Repos Turtle Research appeal and incorporating them as Colin Limpus2 facility for three to four weeks to a focal point for this event allows Andrew Amey1 ensure the developing embryos us to deliver these messages to an are sufficiently robust to withstand audience of 8,000 + visitors who 1Biodiversity Program, Queensland a road trip to Brisbane. The egg attend annually. This information Museum, Department of Environment temperature is monitored daily and is delivered by museum staff with and Science, South Brisbane, incubation continues through to the support from World Science Festival Queensland 4101 first signs of pipping which, ideally, volunteers, some with research 2Aquatic Species Program, should correspond with the start experience at Mon Repos and Conservation and Biodiversity of the festival. The final stages of other nesting beaches. In addition Operations Branch, Conservation incubation and hatchling emergence to festival visitors, the Hatchery & Sustainability Services, Department take place in transparent incubators receives significant media coverage of Environment and Science, in the museum’s public galleries, and reached a cumulative media Dutton Park, Queensland 4102 with the event live-streamed on audience of more than 2,400,000 in CONTACT DETAILS the internet. The hatchlings are 2017. We believe that the survival of Patrick [email protected] displayed in large aquaria, once the hatchlings is not compromised In 2019, the World Science Festival their yolk sacs are fully resorbed. by this event and that it is justified Brisbane, hosted by the Queensland Following the festival, they are cared by its conservation and ecotourism Museum, is entering its 4th year. for at SeaLife (Mooloolaba) and then benefits. released, at the earliest possible One of its signature events is the The Hatchery continues to evolve date, into the Eastern Australian Loggerhead Turtle Hatchery which with changes to the layout and Current. The Hatchery is conducted runs over a four day period. Eggs conservation messages from with appropriate permits from the collected from Mon Repos, in late year to year. In March 2019, the Department of Environment and January, are incubated at 29.9°C and program will work with schools Science and with approval from an timed to hatch during the festival in informing children on the impacts of animal ethics committee. March. These are collected, freshly plastic debris on marine creatures laid, over five nights to ensure The focus of this exercise is to and the extent of this problem that hatching lasts throughout the display a natural event that occurs with an emphasis on marine duration of this event. out of sight, deep within a nest turtles. Teachers will be guided chamber and to incorporate this by curriculum-linked resources with a strong conservation message. promoting awareness of this issue. We discuss the Turtle Conservation Project and 50 years of research at Mon Repos, the research outcomes and how a decline in Loggerhead Turtles nesting on the Woongarra Coast was detected and then reversed. We also promote Mon Repos as a tourist destination.

38 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 4TH AUSTRALIAN MARINE TURTLE SYMPOSIUM ABSTRACT Foraminifera at Raine Island and their importance to the future of the cay as a turtle rookery

AUTHORS Raine Island is a cay located on the Annual gross production rates John Dawson far northern outer Great Barrier of foraminifera are extrapolated Scott Smithers Reef and currently supports the reef-wide to provide a volumetric world’s largest remaining green estimate of sand supplied to Raine James Cook University turtle (Chelonia mydas) nesting Island each year. This data is crucial Townsville Qld 4814 population. The cay is composed for an improved sediment budget CONTACT DETAILS of sediments produced on the which better informs understanding [email protected] surrounding reef. Therefore, its of the nature and significance of geomorphology is highly sensitive geomorphological issues affecting to changes in reef community turtle nesting and hatchling success composition and productivity that now and into the future and affect sediment production and will better inform management delivery to the cay, and depositional decisions about suitable strategies and post-depositional processes that to address them. Results also yield affect net cay volume. This project important information about the aimed to provide key background sensitivities of the sediment budget data on the sediment budget for to future climate changes which may Raine Island, and about the key affect the ecological production, organisms, processes and rates supply and durability of the responsible for the production, sediment, all of which may influence delivery, redistribution and loss of the geomorphology of the cay and this sediment. key nesting habitats on it. Large benthic foraminifera are the key producers of sand that is delivered to Raine Island comprising the bulk of beach sand (36-63%), thus replenishing sand that is lost from the island. We assess foraminifera productivity on the reef flat surrounding the cay during April, August and October 2017, and February 2018 whereby a total of 203 samples of turf algae (primary foraminifera habitat) were scraped from the reef flat and sand production by foraminifera accurately calculated using population dynamic data (population density and size structure).

10-8 SEPTEMBER 2018 39 ABSTRACT Pristine coastal ecosystem Barr Al Hikman, Oman: a refuge for loggerhead and hawksbill turtles in the Indian Ocean?

AUTHOR Barr Al Hikman is a pristine coastal A brief exploration in March 2017 Kiki Dethmers ecosystem on the east coast of established that, compared to other Oman. It is renowned for its large (>5000 ha) intertidal mudflats Royal Netherlands Institute exceptionally large diversity of of international significance, the Barr for Sea Research, Den Burg, marine life which includes a highly Al Hikman area is among the most Texel, The Netherlands productive turtle nesting habitats productive areas in the world. This CONTACT DETAILS of olive ridley, green, loggerhead, area has the potential to sustain [email protected] and hawksbill turtles. Loggerhead a broad diversity of secondary and hawksbill turtles nest on consumers, including the various Masirah Island at densities rarely turtle species with specialized observed elsewhere in the world. foraging strategies and diets. This The importance of this region as a paper discusses the potential of Barr foraging area is poorly understood. Al Hikman as a stronghold for sea turtles in the context of the declining Indo-Pacific hawksbill populations and globally endangered loggerhead turtle so the Indian Ocean.

40 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 4TH AUSTRALIAN MARINE TURTLE SYMPOSIUM ABSTRACT The importance of community involvement in sea turtle conservation

AUTHOR Buddina on the Sunshine Coast (SSC) Personal observation recorded Lesley Dimmock includes the 4km Buddina beach and vegetation loss along the dunes at the small northern Pt. Cartwright Buddina in recent years, with the Concerned Citizen, Buddina, beach east of the Mooloolah River. most significant loss occurring in Sunshine Coast, QLD 4575 Since season 2008/09, Buddina summer 2016/17. CONTACT DETAILS consistently recorded the highest Over the past 5 years, personal [email protected] number of confirmed nests of all observations recorded increases SSC beaches south of the Mooloolah Community involvement plays an in artificial light along Buddina, River. On average, Buddina recorded important role in bringing attention attributed to changes of existing 36% of all nests of the southern to potential emerging threatening light sources and additions of new SSC between seasons 2008/09 and processes to sea turtles, such as light sources, with the most obvious 2016/17. increases in artificial light. While increases occurring in 2016 (Coopers government-coordinated volunteer However, while nesting numbers Lookout) and 2017 (Pt. Cartwright). programs support and train reached a record high in the entire Lights from Pt. Cartwright, an volunteers to collect sea turtle SSC Region in 2017/18, Buddina elevated headland, shine on the part monitoring data, limited resources had an extraordinarily unsuccessful of beach which generally records the often restrict data collection, season. For the first time in 10 years, highest number of nests, with more meaning data on factors impacting no nests were recorded during the than half of all Buddina nests on turtle nesting beaches such as main nesting period (24 Dec – 14 average occurring in the top 400m artificial light and vegetation loss Jan). After mid-January, a record low adjacent to the Pt. Cartwright rocks. are not systematically collected. of 3 nests occurred at Buddina, all While artificial light is known to deter Detailed observations and anecdotal of which were likely laid by different nesting turtles, further monitoring evidence recorded by concerned turtles as determined by their laying along SSC beaches is needed to citizens play therefore an important dates. determine a trend at Buddina. role in informing management This reduction in nest numbers at Should the low nesting numbers action or establishing research Buddina may be attributed to a continue, management action needs programs for successful sea turtle variety of factors: to be considered to mitigate light conservation. ● Beach profile changes spill and vegetation loss. ● Ocean currents ● Vegetation loss ● Increase in artificial light (a) shining directly onto the beach and (b) increasing sky glow ● Combination of any of the above. Based on personal observations, the beach profile has not changed dramatically from past seasons. Changes in ocean currents would impact the whole region, rather than a stretch of beach in the middle of the coast.

10-8 SEPTEMBER 2018 41 ABSTRACT Sitting on bulldozers rather than sitting on hands: management actions reverse failing green turtle reproduction at Raine Island

AUTHOR With the very low hatchling These results provided the evidence Andrew Dunstan production at Raine Island the to proceed with more extensive decision was made to act rather beach re-profiling. In September Raine Island Recovery Project, than ‘sit on our hands’ and monitor 2017 re-profiling was performed on Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, a major decline in the northern a further 200m x 100m of nesting Brisbane, Queensland 4000 Great Barrier Reef green beach area. CONTACT DETAILS turtle population. [email protected] The sole negative impact recorded Raising the height of the Raine from the 2014 re-profiling was a Island nesting beach to bring nest lack of vegetation regrowth which levels above inundation level was may limit beach-nesting seabird identified as the best management success. Vegetation in this area has approach to reduce hatching failure. now recovered but new methods, Sand replenishment of the low-lying including removal, banking and sections of the nesting area was respreading of the topsoil vegetated also predicted to increase the area layer were implemented for the utilised by nesting turtles, reduce 2017 re-profiling. Revegetation nesting disturbance, within both re-profiled areas increase nesting success and following the 2017-18 nesting increase hatching success and season has been positive. hatchling production. Results over four study seasons The question of sand importation demonstrate that within re-profiled versus re-profiling of the nesting nesting areas all nests are above beach was discussed. Re-profiling inundation level, hatching success of the nesting beach by moving and hatchling production have sand from the seaward edge of the increased greatly and nesting beach to the lower lying areas was density has been reduced. The identified as the minimum risk and seaward areas from which re- logistically most efficient option. profiling sand was gained rapidly returned to their original form while A ‘trial’ 150m x 100m section of the the re-profiled areas have retained nesting beach was re-profiled in their structure and topographic September 2014 and was closely profile. Further re-profiling is monitored in comparison with planned on the basis of these unmodified areas over the next positive outcomes. three nesting seasons. Positive results demonstrated increased reproductive success and improved nesting conditions. Importantly, any negative impacts were also investigated as an integral part of adaptive management.

42 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 4TH AUSTRALIAN MARINE TURTLE SYMPOSIUM ABSTRACT Sea turtle management aspirations of Port Curtis Coral Coast Traditional Owners

AUTHOR The presentation will give an Ric Fennessy overview of the aspirations and Tom Osborne strategies identified by Port Curtis Coral Coast Traditional Owners Gidarjil Development for their involvement in the sea Corporation, Bundaberg QLD 4670 turtle conservation management CONTACT DETAILS within their region. It will include [email protected] an introduction to the PCCC people and their region and Gidarjil Development Corporation; a history of their involvement in turtle conservation management; and future aspirations and strategies for achieving those aspirations.

10-8 SEPTEMBER 2018 43 ABSTRACT Assessing the effects of contaminants in sea turtles using species-specific cell-based bioassays

AUTHOR The long-lived nature of sea This study uses primary cell Kimberly Finlayson turtles and their extensive use cultures established from green Frederic Leuscha of coastal foraging grounds can turtles to investigate the effects Jason van de Merwe result in high exposure to organic of 16 organic and inorganic and inorganic contaminants from compounds using a variety of Australian Rivers Institute, anthropogenic urban, industrial endpoints such as cytotoxicity, School of Environment and Science, and agricultural sources. Organic genotoxicity and oxidative stress. Griffith University, Gold Coast, or inorganic contaminants have The results will allow more robust Australia been quantified in all species of and meaningful risk assessments CONTACT DETAILS marine turtles worldwide. However, to be conducted for marine [email protected] very little is known about how turtles, assisting conservation and these contaminants impact turtle management strategies worldwide. health, valuable information for Our results also support the use identifying populations at risk. of marine turtle cell cultures as To date, the effects of relatively an ethical and reliable method for few contaminants have been investigating toxicological effects of investigated for a small number environmental contaminants. of toxicological endpoints, driven largely by the logistical and ethical constraints of conducting direct exposure experiments on these large, protected animals. In vitro exposure experiments using cell lines established from turtle tissue provide an ethical, reproducible, cost-effective method to identify threats of environmentally relevant contaminants to marine turtles.

44 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 4TH AUSTRALIAN MARINE TURTLE SYMPOSIUM ABSTRACT Population genetics of flatback turtles: behavioural insights and conservation implications

AUTHOR 7present: Questacon National Science Flatback turtles are fascinating for Nancy N. FitzSimmons1 and Technology Centre, King Edward being highly migratory, yet they Stewart D. Pittard2,3 Terrace, Parkes, ACT, Australia remain over the continental shelf Nathan McIntyre1 8Southern Cross University, Marine when foraging, and within Australia Michael P. Jensen2,4 Ecology Research Centre for breeding. These behaviours Mick Guinea3 Lismore, NSW, Australia have implications for how turtles Mark Hamann5 9present: NSW National Parks & colonise beaches and establish populations, and on the extent of Rod Kennett6,7 Wildlife Service Conservation Branch, Coffs Harbour NSW, Australia interchange among populations. Brett Leis8,9 10 Population genetic studies provide 10 Aquatic Species Program, Colin J. Limpus Department of Environment and a means of identifying populations 10 Duncan J. Limpus Science, ESP PO Box 2454, Brisbane and assessing levels of gene flow 2,11 Megan J. McCann City, Qld, Australia among them, which are important 2,12 Anna McDonald 11Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, to know when developing effective Glen McFarlane13,14 100 The Pointe, 999 Canada Place. conservation management. 15 Vancouver, B.C., Canada C. John Parmenter We have sampled flatback turtles 16 12present: John Curtin School of Kellie Pendoley from 17 rookeries across their 17 Medical Research, The Australian Bob Prince range and assessed genetic diversity Leigh Slater18 National University, Acton, ACT, Australia and structure to identify unique Kathrin Theissinger2,1 populations, which we refer to as 13Conservation Volunteers Australia, 17 management units. Analyses of Anton D. Tucker PO Box 2358, Darwin, NT, Australia David Waayers20 female-inherited mitochondrial 14PO Box 422 Parap NT, Australia Andrea Whiting21 DNA revealed 32 different genetic 15P. O. Box 200, Tolga, Qld, Australia Scott Whiting17 variants among 889 samples, with 16Pendoley Environmental, 12A Pitt one common variant found at all CONTACT DETAILS Way, Booragoon, WA, Australia rookeries. This level of genetic 1Australian Rivers Institute, Griffith 17Marine Science Program, Science diversity is similar to green and University, Nathan, Qld, Australia and Conservation Division, Department hawksbill turtles nesting in the same 2Institute for Applied Ecology, of Biodiversity, Conservation and regions, and more than loggerhead University of Canberra, Attractions, 17 Dick Perry Ave, turtles. However, there is little Bruce, ACT, Australia Kensington, WA, Australia mutational divergence among the 18 3present: Research Institute Department of Zoology and flatback genetic variants, suggesting for the Environment and Livelihoods, Entomology, University of Queensland, a genetic bottleneck, followed by Brisbane, Australia Charles Darwin University, colonisation around Australia. In 19 Darwin, NT, Australia University of Koblenz-Landau, comparison, green and hawksbill 4present: Department of Chemistry Institute for Environmental Sciences, turtles have considerable genetic Fortstrasse 7, Landau, Germany and Bioscience, Aalborg University, divergence, indicating long-distance 20 Aalborg, Denmark Imbricata Environmental, 173 colonisation from several outlying 5College of Science and Engineering, Fitzgerald St, West Perth, WA, Australia populations. James Cook University, Townsville, 21PO Box 1212, Bentley DC, Qld, Australia WA, Australia 6North Australian Indigenous Land CONTACT DETAILS and Sea Management Alliance, Charles [email protected] Darwin University, NT, Australia

10-8 SEPTEMBER 2018 45 ABSTRACT Population genetics of flatback turtles: behavioural insights and conservation implications CONTINUED

Genetic analyses of nuclear Our results suggest that some DNA, which is inherited from populations maintain strong natal both parents, were compared philopatry and nest in a relatively to the mtDNA results to identify limited geographic area, while other populations, based on the extent populations have individuals that to which rookeries were genetically either shift nesting beaches, or different from each other. Seven that have less precise natal homing populations, or management units, when initially selecting a nesting were identified. Some of these beach. For the rookeries that were populations are quite restricted not genetically differentiated, this in area, while others encompass can either result from ongoing several rookeries and span over gene flow, or because demographic 1300 km. The greatest genetic isolation has been recent enough discontinuity was found across that genetic changes have not yet Torres Strait, with three sampled resulted in measurable genetic rookeries in Queensland (Wild differences between rookeries. Duck Is, Peak Is, Curtis Is) forming a These contrasting scenarios can be southwest Pacific population, which informed by tagging and satellite was very genetically distinct from all data to indicate whether females other rookeries. Rookeries across are using multiple rookeries. the Northern Territory and north Conservation implications of the Queensland grouped together to genetic results will be discussed. form an Arafura Sea population, but within that broad population, there is limited gene flow among several pairs of rookeries. The large rookery at Cape Domett comprised a unique population, with unidentified boundaries. Turtles nesting at Maret Island off the northwest Kimberley coast were also unique, but grouped with other samples analysed from the region. Along the southwest Kimberley coast, rookeries at EcoBeach and 80 Mile Beach each formed unique populations. In contrast, along the Pilbara coast and islands, the rookeries from Port Hedland to Barrow Island grouped to form a northwest Shelf population.

46 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 4TH AUSTRALIAN MARINE TURTLE SYMPOSIUM ABSTRACT Foraging Chelonia mydas around Green Island: a population literally shrinking in size

AUTHOR Body size is an important correlate Alastair Freeman1 with many aspects of an organism’s Ian Bell2 biology and ecology. A reduction Len McKenzie3 in body size over time for example, 3 is often considered indicative of a Rudi Yoshida population in declines. In this talk 4 Jeffrey Miller we will present results of a long Colin Limpus5 term (~30 y) monitoring program of Chelonia mydas foraging on the 1Aquatic Species Group, Green Island reef flat, north east of Dept. Environment and Science, Cairns. The study shows that there Atherton, QLD 4883 has been a decline in sub-adult and 2Aquatic Species Program, adult size classes between 1998 Dept. Environment and Science, and 2017 at this site. This decline is Townsville, QLD, 4810. unlikely to be attributable to a loss 3Centre for Tropical Water or degradation of food resources or and Aquatic Ecosystem Research, CAIRNS, QLD, 4878 behavioural change in response to tourist activity. Instead we believe 4Biological Research and that this is an example of a locality Education Consultants. Missoula, Montana, 59801 where larger-sized turtles are preferentially targeted by indigenous 5Queensland Department and some cases non-indigenous of Environment and Science, Dutton Park, Qld, 4102 hunters, which has had the effect of removing adult and sub-adult C. CONTACT DETAILS mydas from the population. [email protected]

10-8 SEPTEMBER 2018 47 ABSTRACT Filling in the gaps: a case study of central Queensland’s community monitoring programs in a changing environment

AUTHOR The central Queensland coastline is With increasing knowledge of light Karl French well noted for its large aggregations impacts on turtle behaviour, impacts of nesting marine turtles with some from changing climate (heat stress Central Queensland Marine Turtle of the largest nesting areas for on nests and increased storm Monitoring Program, 10 Gentle Annie flatback turtles on offshore islands intensity) as well as predation from Rd, Nagoorin, Boyne Valley Qld 4680 in the region, and large numbers of native and introduced predators it CONTACT DETAILS green and loggerhead nesting on is possible that some beaches will [email protected] reef islands in the Capricorn Bunker no longer be suitable for marine group. Index beaches used by the turtle nesting, however it becomes Queensland Turtle Conservation more challenging for researchers Project (QTCP) in the area include to cover a wider selection of Curtis Island, Peak Island, Heron nesting beaches. Suitably trained Island, Wreck Island and Northwest community volunteers can help island. Surprisingly perhaps alleviate this and monitor less there is no local group engaged in favoured beaches to determine if monitoring the spill over of nesting shifts in nesting population may be onto other beaches throughout occurring. Community buy in can be the region. Mackay, Sunshine positive for the species by identifying Coast and the Burnett region all predators, light impacts and other have local community volunteers threats to nesting on a local level assisting in drawing a bigger picture and may even be a boost to local of nesting events. In 2014 Fitzroy economies through turtle-based Basin Association obtained funding tourism. through the National Landcare To attain the best results for all Program to address this shortfall concerned it is essential to develop and create a central Queensland strong community champions community turtle monitoring who adopt best practice research group. This presentation looks at methods through engaging with the the development of that group, the QTCP program to obtain training process and pitfalls encountered and to develop knowledge of data and the learnings made along the collection processes. Standardising way. data across a broad base allows The central Queensland region greater comparisons to be made - in particular the Capricorn and and is more valuable as part of Curtis coasts are areas subject a larger comprehensive dataset. to increasing levels of coastal Sharing of views and ideas so that development, industrialisation and groups can avoid pitfalls and work tourism impacts. together is essential for the future wellbeing of these iconic species.

48 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 4TH AUSTRALIAN MARINE TURTLE SYMPOSIUM ABSTRACT Plastics vs. turtles and how to deal with this issue: an overview of the Uruguayan case

AUTHOR The Uruguayan waters are REHABILITATION: Karumbé NGO Daniel González Paredes1,2 considered as a key foraging and has developed a stranding and development area for marine rescue network to attend the 1 College of Science and Engineering, turtles in the Southwestern Atlantic stranded turtles reaching the James Cook University, Townsville, Ocean (SWAO). In particular, these Uruguayan coast. The rescued Queensland, 4811 waters host a mixed stock of early turtles are transferred to the NGO´s 2 Karumbé NGO, Montevideo, juveniles of green sea turtles, rehabilitation facilities whereby Uruguay, 11600 feeding mainly on macroalgae and around one hundred injured turtles CONTACT DETAILS gelatinous macrozooplankton. are attended per year. [email protected] However, this population is now RESEARCH: Karumbé NGO, in facing considerable levels of One of the main threats that has collaboration with James Cook plastic pollution. Hence, the plastic emerged over the last four decades University, is developing several ingestion represents a major threat is the plastic pollution of the marine research projects to improve our to this population, causing injures environment. This is mainly because understanding of the impact of and severe health problems or even most plastics are persistent and plastic pollution in Uruguayan death through the blockage of the highly buoyant waste products waters. These involve; i) the use of digestive tract and consequently that undergo fragmentation into hydrodynamic and oceanographic starvation. Actually, it is estimated increasingly smaller pieces. These dispersal models to determine the the mortality of green turtles due pieces tend to concentrate in drift patterns of plastic debris and to plastic ingestion overcomes oceanic and coastal gyres by the ii) the evaluation of the impacts and the bycatch deaths in Uruguay at combined action of wind and ocean effects caused by plastic pollution on present. currents. These areas often overlap the health of the green sea turtles. with high-use areas for marine Since 1999, the Karumbé NGO has The results will allow development turtles. Ingestion, bioaccumulation, been working for the research and of a risk assessment of plastic and entanglement, among others, conservation of marine turtles in ingestion for Chelonia mydas related are frequent impacts for turtles, Uruguay. Currently, the NGO´s to specific plastic exposure levels. which face the plastic pollution in efforts are mainly focussed on All these efforts contribute toward both neritic and oceanic habitats. dealing the plastic pollution issue the conservation of this endangered This is the case in Uruguay where from different approaches; i) species in the SWAO zone. dozens of turtles are found stranded education, ii) rehabilitation, and iii) every year along the coast with clear research. evidence of interaction with plastic EDUCATION: Karumbé NGO is debris. implementing a set of educational actions in Uruguay including; i) social labour with the coastal communities, ii) educational programs for schools, iii) awareness about the plastic issue from the NGO´s visitor centers. The scope of these actions reaches around 15,000 people per year.

10-8 SEPTEMBER 2018 49 ABSTRACT Flatback nesting numbers in North Western Australia: fables and foibles?

AUTHOR Monitoring the numbers of nesting Michael Guinea flatback sea turtles over the past 22 years on Bare Sand Island, Northern Charles Darwin University / AUSTurtle Territory, raises the question of Inc., Palmerston, NT 0830 trophic pathways and possible CONTACT DETAILS drivers of the numbers of nesters [email protected] at the monitored rookeries in North Western Australia. The population of Bare Sand Island nesting turtles is examined to identify the most significant component to detect population changes. Each component provides significant insight into temporal and possible spatial changes detected during the monitoring program and provides future insight. The trends in the relative numbers of nesting flatbacks on Bare Sand Island are compared with other rookeries in North Western Australia in a search for repeated patterns and synchrony with a view to identify a possible trophic pathway.

50 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 4TH AUSTRALIAN MARINE TURTLE SYMPOSIUM ABSTRACT Nesting behaviour of green turtles at Raine Island

AUTHOR Raine island is one of the largest The turtles laid between four and Mark Hamann1 rookeries for green turtles in the ten clutches each, nesting success Larissa Boundy1 world. In recent decades there has was lowest in December and Stephanie Duce1 been increasing concern about increased coinciding with regular 1 the ability of female turtles to dig rainfall events in early January. Takahiro Shimada nests and lay eggs, and the beach During December turtles were 2 Colin Limpus to provide a suitable incubation taking four to six attempts per clutch environment. In November 2017 we and spending four to six hours per 1College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, used GPS-linked satellite telemetry attempt. After mid-January, the Queensland 4811 to track 19 female green turtles length of attempts remained similar throughout their nesting season but turtles were taking one to three 2Queensland Department of Environment and Science, Aquatic at Raine Island to improve our attempts per clutch. The results of Species Program, Brisbane, understanding of their nesting this study will inform future research Queensland 4000 behaviour, and describe their and management at Raine Island. patterns of nesting success and CONTACT DETAILS [email protected] site fidelity. To analyse the data we merged two datasets; the GPS location data and the haul-out data recorded by the tag while the turtle was ashore for nesting. We removed all locations not on land, and retained location data landward of the berm.

10-8 SEPTEMBER 2018 51 ABSTRACT Gnaraloo Turtle Conservation Program - 10 years of surveys

AUTHOR The Gnaraloo Turtle Conservation Satellite tracking of 10 loggerhead Karen Hattingh1 Program is a scientific research turtles in season 2015/16 revealed Simone Bosshard1 and public outreach program aimed foraging grounds in Shark Bay and Aubrey Strydom2 at monitoring and protecting sea all along the north WA coastline. turtle rookeries at the southern Two loggerhead turtles tracked in 1Gnaraloo Turtle Conservation end of Ningaloo Reef at Gnaraloo, season 2017/18 migrated for more Program, PO Box 632, Western Australia. To gather than three months. One turtle Australind, WA 6233 long term baseline data of sea reached her foraging habitat in the 2Mangrove Point Refugium, turtle activities, full season daily eastern Gulf of Carpentaria off the PO Box 5308, Torquay, QLD 4655 beach track surveys have been coast of Aurukun (Queensland) in CONTACT DETAILS conducted since 2008, along with late April 2018, while the second [email protected] complementary research and turtle was still migrating east monitoring activities such as night along the Northern Territory coast surveys, flipper tagging, satellite in May 2018. tagging and nest excavations. The 10-year nesting census in The main species nesting in the combination with additional 6.7 km long survey area at Gnaraloo research carried out in the Gnaraloo Bay is the endangered loggerhead Bay Rookery will contribute to the turtle (Caretta caretta), with green composite WA sea turtle data and turtles (Chelonia mydas) nesting bridge the gap between the main infrequently. With an average of loggerhead turtle rookeries on 370 nests per season, Gnaraloo Dirk Hartog Island and further north Bay is an important WA mainland along the WA mainland coast. rookery for loggerhead turtles. The remote beach faces few anthropogenic threats, but used to be heavily predated by introduced European red foxes (Vulpes vulpes). Thanks to the initiation of the successful Gnaraloo Feral Animal Control Program in 2008, no sea turtle nests have been predated by foxes or other feral animals since season 2010/11. Instead, a majority of nests are disturbed and potentially predated by native ghost crabs; however, the magnitude of the actual crab impact is yet to be quantified.

52 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 4TH AUSTRALIAN MARINE TURTLE SYMPOSIUM ABSTRACT Green turtles as silent sentinels of pollution in the Great Barrier Reef – Rivers to Reef to Turtles Project

AUTHOR 7SEED Science, Melrose Park, At present, we know little about Christine Hof1 2114, Australia what effects these kinds of chemical Caroline Gaus2 8Florey Institute of Neuroscience exposures have on turtle health. Ian Bell3 and Mental Health, Parkville, As bioindicators, understanding the Victoria, 3052, Australia associations between environmental Mark Flint4,5 9Australian Rivers Institute, School chemicals and turtle health not 6,7 Colette Thomas of Environment and Science, Griffith only informs our efforts in their Jon Brodie6 University, Gold Coast, 4222, Australia survivorship but can also help Christie Bentley2 10Environmental Futures Research guide efforts to protect, conserve Jochen Mueller2 Institute, School of Environment and restore marine ecosystems 8 and Science, Griffith University, such as the GBR. Amy Heffernan Gold Coast, 4222, Australia 9 Instigated by a green turtle mass Gulsah Dogruer 11Great Barrier Reef Marine Park 10 stranding in 2012 in Upstart Bay, Will Bennett Authority, Townsville, 4805, Australia the Rivers to Reef to Turtles (RRT) Ryan Turner3 12Torres Strait Regional Authority, project was established to address 11 Thursday Island, 4875 Carol Honchin knowledge gaps on the impacts of 12 13Cobalt Environmental, Andrew Simmonds chemicals to the Reef outside of a Brisbane, 4065, Australia Fred Leusch9 focussed program around sediment, Jason Van de Merwe9 CONTACT DETAILS nutrients and pesticides, and add [email protected] Cesar Villa9,13 to the existing body of knowledge [email protected] about catchment pollution. 1 World Wide Fund for Nature-Australia, Green turtles have been described By understanding how chemical Brisbane, 4000, Australia as ideal bioindicator species and contaminants affect green turtles 2 Queensland Alliance for sentinels of ecosystem health foraging in coastal GBR habitats Environmental Health Sciences primarily because they forage in adjacent to various land-based (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, relatively small areas over many activities (e.g., urban/industrial and Woolloongabba, 4102, Australia years and with a high degree of site agricultural/legacy mining activities), 3 Queensland Department of fidelity. For green turtles foraging in the project provides insights into Environment and Science, Townsville, coastal areas on the Great Barrier the types and concentrations of Queensland 4810, Australia Reef (GBR), there is a high risk of contaminants entering the GBR and 4 Veterinary- Marine Animal Research, exposure to complex mixtures of taken up by biota. Here, we present Teaching and Investigation unit, environmental contaminants that the frameworks, findings, and tools School of Veterinary Science, The have the potential to affect their we developed over the four-year University of Queensland, Gatton multi-discipline study on population Campus, 4343 Australia; health. The regional sources of these environmental contaminants and turtle health, chemicals in the 5Ecosystem Health Unit, Department of are often poorly characterised and environment (water, sediment and Veterinary Preventive Medicine, College forage) and within turtles (blood of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State their environmental fate can be and scute). University, Columbus, Ohio, 43210 USA rapidly altered by complex physical 6Centre for Tropical Water and Aquatic and chemical marine processes Ecosystem Research (TropWATER), (both natural and anthropogenic James Cook University, Townsville, in nature). 4811, Australia; S

10-8 SEPTEMBER 2018 53 ABSTRACT Green turtles as silent sentinels of pollution in the Great Barrier Reef – Rivers to Reef to Turtles Project CONTINUED

Chemical analyses show high In addition, in vitro bioassay testing concentrations of several inorganic revealed the activation of cellular elements in water, sediments, toxicity pathways in response to forage, as well as within green turtle chemical mixtures at concentrations themselves, in particular, cobalt currently found in the environment. (Co), manganese (Mn), molybdenum Despite efforts by various state and (Mo) and copper (Cu). Many of these federal governments to improve inorganic elements were present at water quality, the health effects concentrations above environmental observed in coastal turtles have, for protection guidelines. Organic the first time, provided a (tentative) contaminants, such as pesticides, link between adverse water quality herbicides, pharmaceutical, PAHs and the health of one of the iconic and PCBs were also detected in animals of the GBR ecosystem. Many coastal environments. Positive of these chemicals are not included correlations were found between in routine monitoring programs, haematological markers of suggesting that despite routine inflammation and liver dysfunction monitoring we are underestimating and elevated contaminant chemical risks to the health of the concentrations. Reef ecosystem.

54 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 4TH AUSTRALIAN MARINE TURTLE SYMPOSIUM ABSTRACT Ancient mariners of the Sunshine Coast: continued long term monitoring of marine turtles in an urban coastal environment

AUTHOR A track census and associated data The regions beaches are dynamically Kate Hofmeister1 collection is undertaken daily within stable, and are exposed to significant Helen Twaddle2 the monitoring area, following the erosion events in particular Julie O’Connor1 QTCP methodologies. Volunteers during extreme weather. The 3 also tag, measure and document three programs undertake dawn Col Limpus nesting turtles, undertake nest monitoring of nesting beaches, and Bribie Island and hatch success investigations, as such, nests laid in the intertidal Turtle Trackers4 monitor sand temperatures at nest zone are often developed beyond the TurtleCare Sunshine depth and interpret monitoring period of embryonic diapause when Coast Volunteers1 activities to the local community discovered. Accredited volunteers Coolum and North Shore to empower and educate. Data undertake a risk assessment to determine the urgency of the 5 collected is collated and checked Coast Care Volunteers by Sunshine Coast Council as a relocation and in some cases safely 1TurtleCare, Sunshine Coast Council, locally central repository, sent to an move nests during the critical period Sunshine Coast, QLD 4560 independent consultant for quality for development. The rescue of 2Independent Consultant, checking and then migrated into ‘doomed eggs’ is one of the critical Bribie Island, QLD 4507 the QTCP TURTDATA database. activities of the groups in order to maximise hatchling production. 3Department of Environment and Reporting is currently underway to publish results for the past decade Science, Queensland Government, Three loggerhead turtles have of monitoring under the three Brisbane QLD 4000 been released from Shelly Beach programs. 4Bribie Island Turtle Trackers, with satellite telemetry, the first Bribie Island, QLD 4507 Approximately 25% of the 200 in 2010/2011 and a further two 5Coolum and North Shore Coast Care, volunteers (across the three in 2017/2018 season. All turtles Coolum, QLD 4573 groups) have attended Mon Repos demonstrated typical inter-nesting CONTACT DETAILS to participate in the training and post nesting migrations, with [email protected] delivered under the QTCP. Annual foraging grounds located at the training is required for volunteers Cumberland Island Group, and the Formal monitoring of marine turtle to maintain accreditation under Swains Reef in central Queensland, nesting within the wider Sunshine state government legislation which and Coolangatta on the border of Coast region commenced in 2005 by authorises individuals to undertake Queensland and New South Wales. Sunshine Coast Council’s TurtleCare monitoring activities on local Participating in tracking projects program and later in 2008 and 2009 beaches, facilitating accurate data are opportunity to discover further by Coolum and North Shore Coast collection on nesting activities. information about individual turtles Care and Bribe Island Turtle Trackers which, in some cases, have been (respectively). The three groups work Threatening processes identified followed over the decades with great in collaboration with each other, and for wider Sunshine Coast beaches interest and affection by volunteers the Queensland Turtle Conservation include, artificial light, coastal and local community. Program (QTCP). Together they development, predation, erosion, monitor approximately 4% of the climate variability and extreme Whilst the Sunshine Coast hosts only southwest Pacific Ocean genetic weather and on Bribie Island, four- a small population of nesting turtles stock of the loggerhead turtle across wheel driving. Volunteers actively across its coastline, formal long-term an almost continuous 97km stretch monitor and record impacts through monitoring is especially important of the south-east Queensland the QTCP reporting process. to track the changes that may occur coastline. from threatening processes and climate change.

10-8 SEPTEMBER 2018 55 ABSTRACT The internet of turtles - state of the art tools for global marine turtle population and threat monitoring with one of a kind photo identification system

AUTHOR Currently, the greater research Here we provide the first glance of Jason Holmberg1 and citizen science community a multi-collaborative and unique Drew Blount1 cannot monitor and evaluate turtle open source global marine turtle Colin Kingen1 populations effectively because database with revolutionary tools for the marine turtle conservation 1 no one collects data consistently Jason Parham nor is there a single ‘open source’ community. It builds on, unites 2 Stephen Dunbar integrated system with such broad and expands the reach of existing Christine Hof3 digital products and applications. marine turtle monitoring, photo-ID And, there is no global database for tools and databases (i.e. The State 1 4Wild Me, Portland, foraging ground data collection at all. of the Worlds Sea Turltes (SWOT), Oregon 97217 USA Toorsoi, TRAFFIC, Turtle Research 2 With its upcoming release Loma Linda University, and Monitoring Database System Loma Linda, California 92354 USA anticipated in late 2018, the (TREDS), The Global Observation 3 Internet of Turtles (IoT) builds on WWF-Australia, Brisbane, and Biodiversity Information Portal the Wildbook open source project Queensland 4000 (GLOBIL) , Wildbook, Image Based (wildbook.org) for mark-recapture CONTACT DETAILS Ecological Information System and will enable the digital collection [email protected] (IBEIS)), and includes analytical and sharing of data within and tools to extract essential data Studies have typically relied on across countries, extract and analyse in a digestible format to inform applying metal flipper tags or relevant turtle population and conservation decision-making (i.e. other physical markers to identify sub-population level data from all reliable distribution maps, population individual turtles that were life histories (dead or alive), and demographic information, and previously caught and released. This contribute to the International Union threat reports). IoT is based on the method evolved in the 1950’s and for Conservation of Nature’s marine past successes and ongoing growth was the only available technology at turtle specialist group management of Wildbook for multiple terrestrial the time. However, marine turtles unit assessment updates and overall and marine species (see whaleshark. can out-live flipper tags, can be lost, clarity on the state of turtles locally org and mantamatcher.org) and and cause localised necrosis and and globally. The IoT will enable a seeks to fill the current gaps in data infection source points. With ever greater impact with a community management by revolutionizing the increasing restrictions on animal driven collaborative approach to flow of information from the field to ethics and permitting requirements understand how to recover turtle decision makers, as well as between to ‘tag’ turtles, limited resources and populations locally, nationally and at conservation projects that had never capabilities in Asia-Pacific and Latin a global scale. Importantly, IoT builds had this opportunity before; using America, particularly in developing on past monitoring investment facial pattern recognition software countries – researchers agree there in the Wildbook for Whale Sharks permitting individual identification is a need for a turtle photograph (whaleshark.org) project, originating of animals in different locations, identification (photo ID) and data out of Western Australia and from all kinds of sources through management system that will successfully creating new population community partners, enforcement transform current data gathering metrics through citizen science agents and civil society, and even methods and improve conservation participation across the globe. decision making. public images off the web or social media. The IoT will not only improve our knowledge about turtles globally, but also empower people to act.

56 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 4TH AUSTRALIAN MARINE TURTLE SYMPOSIUM ABSTRACT Community monitoring, conservation, and securing the future of flatback turtles in Port Hedland, Western Australia

AUTHOR The flatback turtle Natator( The Care For Hedland Kelly Howlett depressus) is the only species of Environmental Association marine turtle endemic to Australia. community conservation program Care for Hedland Environmental Port Hedland is 1,800km north of supports a daily track count over Association Inc, Port Hedland, Perth, in the resource rich Pilbara dates 30th October to 1st March WA 6721 region of Western Australia. Local annually and a 50-night mark and CONTACT DETAILS Aboriginal rock carvings depicting recapture study from 31st October [email protected] turtles are dated to approximately and 22nd December annually. 8,000 years of age. These methods document the Much has changed in the Port seasonality, numbers, inter-nesting Hedland area since the lifting of rates, recruitment rates, spatial the iron ore export embargo in distribution, successful nests, the late 1960s. The dredging and hatchling emergence, hatchling transformation of the mangrove orientation and any apparent coast has become the Port Hedland disturbance such as nest predation harbour which is now the largest by the feral foxes or human bulk tonnage export port in disturbance such as off-road Australia. Today with a population vehicles and inappropriate of 15,000 people, Port Hedland and people-turtle interactions. its associated beach areas are a far This year marks the program’s cry from what they once were. fifteenth season and already it has Port Hedland’s two nesting beaches been able to deliver quantifiable (Cemetery Beach and Pretty Pool) data essential to local management represent a unique monitoring and decisions. Care For Hedland management opportunity. Both Environmental Association will, beaches face pressures that could along with its’ project partners, detrimentally affect the turtles continue to secure the future of nesting in the area: high level flatback turtles in Port Hedland of disturbance by people (direct for future generations. contact, off road vehicles, tourism, disturbance of nests and Indigenous take, harbour dredging), residential lighting and feral animal predation.

10-8 SEPTEMBER 2018 57 ABSTRACT Body composition of sea turtles measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis - a new tool for health assessment?

AUTHOR Sea turtles are considered I will discuss the following Sara Kophamel1 vulnerable to extinction, facing research questions: Suzanne Munns1 threats from climate change, habitat 1. How can body composition be Ian Bell2 destruction, and disease. Health utilised in examining both the 1 status assessment is often hindered general health status and physical Lee Skerratt by the lack of a quick, accurate, condition of sea turtles, and how 1 Ellen Ariel minimally invasive and practical can it be measured by BIA? diagnostic tool that can be used in 1. How will body composition 1James Cook University. College of Public Health, Medical and the field. Body composition is an between sea turtle populations Veterinary Sciences, important marker of physiological be assessed, and what could be Townsville, QLD 4811 function and has a close relationship the consequences for marine 2Department of Environment with the fitness and health status of conservation planning? and Science, Garbutt, Qld 4814 an organism, both at individual and 2. How can BIA be used for at population levels. A new approach tracking body composition CONTACT DETAILS for assessing body composition, changes of nesting females, [email protected] and therefore health status of and what information can we individuals and within populations, get out of this? is bioelectrical impedance analysis I expect to gather critical data (BIA). Bioelectrical impedance about the fitness status of sea analysis is an alternative to invasive turtle populations and to be able techniques and is routinely used to extrapolate these findings to sea for evaluating body composition of turtle populations at a global level. healthy and sick humans, and has also provided accurate estimations of body composition, specifically fat free mass and the hydration status of the body in several animal studies.

58 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 4TH AUSTRALIAN MARINE TURTLE SYMPOSIUM ABSTRACT Celebrating collaborations between conservation organisations and universities

AUTHOR In recent years many success For the entire island, we estimated Jacques-Olivier Laloë1 stories have emerged from the that the number of nests increased Jacquie Cozens2 world of sea turtle conservation. from 506 to 7,771 over the ten- Berta Renom2,3 As evidence for this, a 2017 global year period. We report a 15-fold 2,3 assessment of sea turtle population increase of nest numbers over a Albert Taxonera size trends found that close to one period of 10 years at our study site 1 Graeme Hays third of published abundance time- and an annual growth rate of 25% series showed significant increases. per year. The reasons behind this 1Deakin University, Centre for Integrative Ecology, Geelong, However, while time-series were dramatic increase in nest numbers Victoria VIC 3280 identified for 299 rookeries, data is likely linked to the implementation had not been updated since 2009 of island-wide conservation 2SOS Tartarugas, Santa Maria, Sal, Republic of Cape Verde in 118 cases. Even for areas where measures in 2007. Our review of sea turtles are well-studied recent the major loggerhead rookeries 3Project Biodiversity, Santa Maria, in the world indicates that Sal is Sal, Republic of Cape Verde estimates of population trends were scant, e.g. while five species one of the 10 biggest loggerhead CONTACT DETAILS of sea turtle nest in Australia in large turtle rookeries globally. Results [email protected] numbers, published time-series of this work improve population extending to 2010 or beyond were abundance estimates for the North only found for one species, the Atlantic Regional Management flatback turtle. Most major sea turtle Unit and will help refine the nesting sites around the world are conservation status of loggerheads now well studied, with conservation locally and globally. This work also organisations operating during celebrates a collaboration between nesting seasons. However, some a conservation organisation and a smaller nesting aggregations, university and highlights yet another especially those in remote or conservation success story. This undeveloped regions, still remain research emphasises the value of undescribed. Here we illustrate how long-term monitoring efforts and the an important nesting site can go importance of making abundance unreported for more than a decade data freely available to improve and what implications this can have conservation assessments. for conservation practices. We present for the first time a 10-year dataset of nesting activities for the loggerhead sea turtle on the island of Sal, part of the Cape Verde islands in the Atlantic. Foot patrols on focal nesting beaches recorded 59,041 nesting activities between 2008 and 2017, 21,938 of which were nests while the others were aborted nesting attempts.

10-8 SEPTEMBER 2018 59 ABSTRACT Get involved in CoralWatch and help to look after turtle habitat

AUTHOR Coral reefs are the rainforests of The main goal of CoralWatch is to Natalie Lobartolo1,2, the ocean and a very important increase awareness and encourage Monique Grol1, Diana component of a turtle’s life-cycle. positive behaviour change towards Kleine1, Justin Marshall1 Whether it is to lay their eggs on a a sustainable future: for us, for nearby beach, feed and forage on the reefs, and for the turtles. This 1CoralWatch, University of Queensland, algae growing on reefs, seek shelter presentation will touch on basic Queensland Brain Institute, St. Lucia, or a safe place to rest, or check-in coral biology, the importance of QLD 4072 at a turtle cleaning station, marine reefs for turtles and how the wider 2Lady Musgrave Experience, 15-17 turtles are heavily dependent on community can get involved to Marina Dr, Bundaberg, QLD 4670 coral reefs. monitor reef health worldwide. CONTACT DETAILS On a global scale, coral reef health is [email protected] facing an array of challenges, many of which a result of human impacts. These challenges threaten reefs with degradation and bleaching, but it is not too late to create change through awareness and action. CoralWatch is a global non-for- profit citizen science program aimed at creating reef awareness and enabling non-scientists to contribute to monitoring coral reefs worldwide. Based at The University of Queensland, CoralWatch provides hands on monitoring and education tools to spread awareness and engage local communities to participate in reef health monitoring. The CoralWatch health chart is a simple tool and looks at coral colour as an indicator of reef health. Dive centres, scientists, tourists, and school and conservation groups in 79 countries use the chart, all contributing to the publicly accessible coral bleaching database.

60 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 4TH AUSTRALIAN MARINE TURTLE SYMPOSIUM ABSTRACT The Kimberley Indigenous Saltwater Advisory Group (ISWAG)

AUTHOR The Kimberley Indigenous It is this cohesive and productive Dean Mathews Saltwater Advisory Group is an group with all of its many benefits to initiative extending from the saltwater science and management Kimberley Indigenous Saltwater Kimberley Indigenous Saltwater which the KISSP working group Advisory Group, Broome, WA, 6725 Science Project (KISSP) working members seek to continue into CONTACT DETAILS group. The working group was the future. As well as a clear role [email protected] comprised of representatives from promoting and progressing the seven Kimberley saltwater country outputs of KISSP, in 2018 this group groups: Balanggarra, Wunambal- will plan and consolidate its form, Gaambera, Dambimangari, function and roles in accordance Bardi-Jawi, Nyul Nyul, Yawuru with directions from the seven and Karajarri. parent Aboriginal Corporations. KISSP was one of twenty-five At the final KISSP workshop in research projects in the Kimberley 2017 there were several areas of region funded by the Western work discussed and prioritised Australian Marine Science Institute by an extended group of working through 2016-2017. It focussed group members and Prescribed on the improved integration of Bodies Corporate (PBC) directors Indigenous knowledge into marine present. Those that are considered conservation management in the achievable and within scope of the Kimberley by achieving three specific group in its first year are: objectives. However, through the ● Develop a strategic plan to guide project’s lifetime the working group the group moving forward achieved significantly more. ● Take this plan back to each of the seven PBCs to seek input and Working group members from the endorsement seven saltwater groups were active ● Develop communications to help participants in all of these forums explain the group and related and took on roles of knowledge issues clearly to PBCs brokers between remote Indigenous ● Promote the KISSP outputs communities and western scientists. ● Continue to meet regularly by Based upon sharing knowledges phone in good faith and building upon ● Maintain the secretariat role established Indigenous governance ● Run one or two workshops this structures, an effective network year (funds permitting) of Indigenous groups, saltwater managers, agency stakeholders and scientists developed. It is the only group of its kind in the Kimberley.

10-8 SEPTEMBER 2018 61 ABSTRACT The Kimberley Indigenous Saltwater Advisory Group (ISWAG) CONTINUED

These ideas were discussed at the Turtles are a very important The advisory group model workshop and were supported in species to all Kimberley saltwater offers a cost-effective forum for principle by the external parties peoples for a wide range of cultural, turtle business to be discussed. present, who unanimously saw spiritual and pragmatic reasons. As well as the value of in-kind benefits to the advisory group There are a range of likely outcomes services provided by advisory being progressed. for turtle science and conservation group members, their organisations from the advisory group being and communities far outweighing supported through its development the external funding requested, phase in 2018, including: the amount of time saved by ● This forum would enable a more scientists accessing the Indigenous integrated approach to Kimberley Protected Areas (IPA) or Ranger turtle conservation that is Coordinators of several groups otherwise possible. simultaneously is considerable. ● Turtle ‘business’ would remain a

key theme of conversations by the group during teleconferences. ● Funding to continue this forum would be funding to continue these important conversations that help to coordinate regional research and management activities. ● It would provide a forum for Indigenous managers to explore relevant management models such as the Traditional Use of Marine Resources Agreements (TUMRA) utilised by Indigenous groups within the Great Barrier Reef ● Turtle researchers and managers would have access to a regional network of Indigenous groups proactive and invested in long term, holistic turtle management ● The network would provide greater opportunities for cross- pollination of ideas, knowledge and practise of marine species management and conservation.

62 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 4TH AUSTRALIAN MARINE TURTLE SYMPOSIUM ABSTRACT Turtle strandings and management - Moreton Bay Marine Park

AUTHOR Moreton Bay Marine Park hosts a Wayne Matthews wide variety of species including turtle, dugong, dolphin and whale. Department of Environment Unfortunately, the area has some and Science, Qld Parks and Wildlife of the highest numbers of marine Service, Manly, QLD 4179 animal strandings in the state, CONTACT DETAILS particularly marine turtle strandings. [email protected] We describe the process of how marine animal strandings are managed within the park, outline some strandings statistics and also highlight a current issue that turtles face in Moreton Bay which is contributing to turtle injury and/ or mortality. The talk included information on volunteer assistance with strandings, a turtle tag recovery example (all the way from New Caledonia) and finished on a positive note with a story of a recent successful release of a rehabilitated loggerhead turtle.

10-8 SEPTEMBER 2018 63 ABSTRACT Rapid epigenetic age-estimators for turtles

AUTHOR Animal age is fundamental to We are seeking to develop non- Benjamin Mayne1 investigating a broad range of invasive assays based on DNA Simon Jarman1,2 research questions in population methylation to estimate the age Oliver Berry1 biology. For example, to estimate of a broad variety of vertebrate future population growth rates, species, including marine turtles. 1CSIRO Environomics Future Science and to estimate population This research will focus on firstly Platform, Indian Ocean Marine abundance. However, most wild identifying epigenetic changes in Research Centre, University of animals, including turtles, do not turtle genomes that correlate with Western Australia, Crawley, WA have a practical and non-invasive ages. If successful, we will develop 2Trace and Environmental DNA method for estimating ages, statistical models to estimate age Laboratory, Department of making it difficult to estimate in a variety of turtle of species. Environment and Agriculture, population viability. Because knowledge of animal age Curtin University, Perth, WA is central to so many aspects of Epigenetic research, which focuses CONTACT DETAILS wildlife management, including for on the molecular mechanisms [email protected] marine turtles, the development that regulate gene expression, has of a rapid, inexpensive, and non- recently identified biomarkers of invasive method to estimate age has aging. DNA methylation, which the potential to be a very valuable is one of several epigenetic contribution towards estimating mechanisms occurs where a methyl future population structure group (CH3) attaches to DNA and and viability. can alter the expression of genes. DNA methylation is well known for its role in sex determination and in cancer, however in humans, mice, whales, and recently in bats and birds it has also been shown to correlate with an individual’s age. This suggests a potential target for the development of assays for the estimation of age in wildlife.

64 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 4TH AUSTRALIAN MARINE TURTLE SYMPOSIUM ABSTRACT Insights Into the nesting season of green sea turtles on Raine Island using satellite telemetry

AUTHOR Conservation of sea turtles is a This study is the first to quantify Saskia McDonald global research priority however such parameters for the Raine Mark Hamann knowledge of critical population Island rookery and identifies factors dynamics is lacking. It is important affecting the reproductive output of James Cook University, to collect accurate estimates of this critical population. These results Townsville QLD 4811 reproductive output as well as the can be used to target conservation CONTACT DETAILS factors affecting output in order to management strategies for Raine [email protected] adequately assess the future viability Island in the future as well as of a population so appropriate exemplifying how high-resolution conservation strategies can be satellite telemetry can be used to implemented. High-resolution increase understanding of sea turtle satellite tags were attached to the population dynamics. carapace of female green turtles (Chelonia mydas) nesting at Raine Island, Great Barrier Reef, and configured to record GPS location, ambient temperature and nesting events during the 2017/18 nesting season. Females laid an average of 6.9 clutches during the season with an average re-nesting interval of 11.3 days. Distance travelled in-water during the re-nesting interval and number of unsuccessful nesting attempts prior to the re-nesting interval were found to have the greatest effect on the length of time taken between clutches as opposed to temperature which has been found to effect other populations. It was found that the number of clutches laid by an individual during the season decreased as average length of re-nesting interval increased. Thus, variable lengths of re-nesting intervals were shown to affect the seasonal reproductive output of females nesting on Raine Island.

10-8 SEPTEMBER 2018 65 ABSTRACT Monitoring Bargara’s marine turtles: working with marine turtles on public beaches and in people’s back yards

AUTHOR We have a very dedicated group Kelly’s Beach: Approximately 800 Maree McLaren of local volunteers who start metres long, this beach has some patrolling in late October and dune area but is prone to erosion Bargara Beaches Turtle Volunteers, continue through until March or and can be wiped out overnight. Department of Environment and April. We have four local beaches The dune area is minimal and has Science Bargara QLD 4670 that are patrolled nightly. Neilson housing and units along its crest. CONTACT DETAILS Park, Bargara’s turtle playground Archie’s Beach: Approximately 450 [email protected] and boat ramp, Kelly’s Beach and metres long and has a good tree line Archie’s Beach. on the northern end giving some Neilson Park Beach: The northern protection from passing vehicle most beach is Neilson Park, over lights. It has 18 sector pegs for nest 100 meters long and has no real triangulation. From zero in the north sand dune in front of the existing to 18 in the south. There are three tree line. Nesting takes place at the pathways to enter beach. It has two base of the steep dune face and all fox protection cages that we relocate nests need relocating to Mon Repos nests into. There are two sand or Archie’s Beach. Neilson Park runs temperature data loggers on one of the full length of the beach. The the cages. The beach has reasonable beach has car parking that runs dunes with a substantial coverage the full length of the park along of beach grasses and vines. A rocky the roadside and north and south reef is exposed at low tide from peg of the beach. zero to five and 14 to 18. Bundaberg Surf Life Saving: This beach has a lifesaving club in the middle of it with two ramps and a set of steps leading onto the beach. Lighting: This park has many high light poles with both yellow and white lights. Hatchlings are usually found in the park at some stage during each season. The caravan park runs parallel to the beach and park and brings additional issues, being mainly people and lighting. Central Bargara: The turtle playground beach to the north and the boat ramp beach to the South of Bargara’s main street are divided by a rock groin. Accommodation and retail outlets have lighting.

66 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 4TH AUSTRALIAN MARINE TURTLE SYMPOSIUM ABSTRACT Expansion of the strandings volunteer network

AUTHOR In the Great Barrier Reef Marine Given the success of the strandings Alicia Moisel Park, volunteers now respond to volunteer network in the Great around 60% of marine wildlife Barrier Reef Marine Park, the Department of Environment and strandings reported each year. Department of Environment and Science, Queensland Parks and Wildlife Queensland Parks and Wildlife Science is now expanding the Service Great Barrier Reef and Marine Service (QPWS) investment in face- program into the Great Sandy Parks Region, Cairns, QLD 4870 to-face and online training initiatives Marine Park. Community groups and CONTACT DETAILS has paid substantial dividends, volunteers in coastal areas between [email protected] increasing local community Baffle Creek and Double Island Point capacity and motivation for are sought to assist with response to stewardship, building partnerships marine turtle strandings reported to with communities, improving the RSPCA 1300ANIMAL Emergency data collection from more remote Hotline, and the collection and locations, and allowing QPWS to reporting of vital information into concentrate staff and resources the StrandNet database. more effectively in other areas of marine protected area conservation, including monitoring internationally important turtle and seabird breeding islands and eliminating island pests. Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service is the lead agency for responding to reports of stranded marine animals in Queensland. The data collected from stranding incidents is submitted into the StrandNet database, which reports on the distribution, frequency and cause of mortality for marine wildlife in Queensland, and informs management decisions for species conservation.

10-8 SEPTEMBER 2018 67 ABSTRACT Marine turtle rehabilitation in Western Australia: a collaborative approach from rehabilitation to release

AUTHOR Western Australia supports Prior to 2017, Perth Zoo averaged Peta Moore populations of six of the world’s five to 10 turtle admissions per seven species of marine turtles, year, but in 2017 severe weather Perth Zoo Veterinary Department, and they are encountered along conditions saw us admit a record Department of Biodiversity a large proportion of our 12,000 of 58 turtles. The majority of these Conservation and Attractions, km of coastline. Perth Zoo has cases were juvenile loggerhead South Perth, WA, 6151 been involved in marine turtle turtles that had stranded along the CONTACT DETAILS rehabilitation for over 10 years south-west coast. The strandings [email protected] in a collaborative effort with appear dependent on winter storms the Department of Biodiversity, and the strength of southerly Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) currents which sweep smaller turtles and several private institutions into colder waters. The length of stay that take on rehabilitation cases as in the veterinary hospital can vary required and have thus far treated from one to two weeks, to several five of the species found in Western months depending on the severity Australia. The most common species of illness or injury, after which the admitted for care are loggerhead turtles are transferred to one of turtles (Caretta caretta), green turtles two approved institutions that take (Chelonia mydas) and hawksbill on rehabilitation cases. The turtles turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) with continue their rehabilitation at occasional admissions of flatback these facilities until they are fit for turtles (Natator depressus) and release back into the wild. In April recently our first olive ridley turtle 2018, 33 of the juvenile Loggerhead (Lepidochelys olivacea). turtles that stranded in 2017, were successfully released with14 of The Perth Zoo Veterinary these turtles fitted with satellite Department receives sick and transmitters. It is hoped that those injured sea turtles from across individuals fitted with satellite Western Australia for intensive transmitters will provide information veterinary treatment and supportive on the movements and behaviour medical care. The majority of cases of these juvenile turtles to inform on that present can be attributed future conservation actions. to cold stunning and ‘floaters syndrome’, with accompanying This program demonstrates how secondary problems such as flipper active collaboration between trauma due to predation. Many of government conservation agencies, the turtles presented are in a poor zoos, and private institutions can condition and have drifted south result in optimal outcomes for in the prevailing currents from the marine turtle rehabilitation. warmer northern waters. These turtles require intensive care to slowly rewarm and rehydrate them before medical treatments can begin.

68 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 4TH AUSTRALIAN MARINE TURTLE SYMPOSIUM ABSTRACT Drones + Cameras + Turtles = Data Overload

AUTHOR Drones are being used all over The processing of the data collected Nick Mortimer1 the world to bring new insights by drones has become a key bottle Mat Vanderklift1 into the behaviour, interactions neck leading to data overload. Data Richard Pillans2 and population estimates of wild can currently be collected at a much animals. Each species brings its higher rate than it can be processed. 1CSIRO Oceans and Atmosphere, own unique challenges when using In order to deliver a cost-effective Crawley, WA 6009 drones, be that from simple logistics solution, we must turn our attention 2CSIRO Oceans and Atmosphere, of flying over water to complex to streamlining the processing of St Lucia QLD 4067 interactions with the environment imagery. We must turn away from CONTACT DETAILS and the drone’s ability to monitor single machine single researcher [email protected] the desired subject. to a cloud based collaborative processing system. We present our Here we set out some of the current work towards systematic challenges in using drones to processing of drone surveys. investigate green turtle abundance within the Ningaloo Marine Park. Ningaloo Marine Park is the home to large numbers of turtles with green turtles being most abundant. The goal of this work is to explore the possibility of using drones to estimate numbers of turtles using imagery. In order to calculate a robust population estimates we must first understand the various behaviours; numerous factors need to be accounted for. For example, the amount of time spent at the surface verses diving and how this influences detectability. We must also understand the effect of the benthic substrate on the visibility of the turtles.

10-8 SEPTEMBER 2018 69 ABSTRACT Anti-predator meshing may provide greater protection for sea turtle nests than predator removal

AUTHOR The problem of how to protect Comparison of clutch depredation Julie O’Connor1,2 sea turtle nests from terrestrial rates in the two five-year periods Colin J. Limpus3 predators is of worldwide concern. demonstrated that continuous nest Kate M. Hofmeister1 On Queensland’s southern Sunshine meshing may be more effective than 3 Coast, depredation of turtle nests lethal fox control in mitigating the Benjamin L. Allen by the introduced European red fox impact of foxes on turtle nests. In 2 Scott E. Burnett (Vulpes vulpes) has been recorded the absence of unlimited resources as the primary terrestrial cause of available for the eradication of 1Sunshine Coast Council, Locked Bag 72, Sunshine Coast egg and hatchling mortality. exotic predators, the use of FEDs and the support and resourcing Mail Centre, QLD 4560 We investigated the impact of of a dedicated volunteer base can 2University of the Sunshine Coast, foxes on the nests of the loggerhead be considered an effective turtle Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs, turtle (Caretta caretta) and occasional conservation tool on some beaches. QLD 4556 green turtle (Chelonia mydas) over 3Queensland Government, ten nesting seasons. Meshing of Department of Environment nests with fox exclusion devices and Science, Brisbane, QLD 4102 (FEDs) was undertaken in all years 4University of Southern Queensland, accompanied by lethal fox control in Institute for Agriculture and the first five-year period, but not in Environment, Toowoomba, the second five-year period. Lethal QLD 4350 fox control was undertaken in the CONTACT DETAILS study area from 2005 to February [email protected] 2010, but foxes still breached 27% (range19±52%) of turtle nests. In the second five-year period, despite the absence of lethal fox control, the average percentage of nests breached was less than 3% (range 0±4%).

70 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 4TH AUSTRALIAN MARINE TURTLE SYMPOSIUM ABSTRACT Barnacle shell isotopes reveal important loggerhead turtle foraging habitats

AUTHOR Understanding the geographic We demonstrate that isotopes from Ryan Pearson1 distribution of migrating animals barnacle shells can identify the Jason van de Merwe1 within their sub-populations origin and migration distances of Michael Gagan2 can enhance conservation and host turtles at varying spatial scales. 3 management, especially for In eastern Australia, for example, Colin Limpus threatened sub-populations. we assign turtles to home areas 1 Rod Connolly Here we employ a novel isotope with >86% accuracy when areas technique to understand the are separated by at least 400 km. 1Griffith University, Australian Rivers Institute – Coasts & Estuaries and foraging distribution of critically This is better resolution than other School of Environment and Science, endangered south Pacific similar techniques and useful for Gold Coast, QLD 4215 loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta conservation and management, 2University of Queensland, School of caretta), and identify critical habitats especially considering migration Earth and Environmental Sciences, for priority management. distances can exceed 2,600 km. We further show that estuarine habitats Brisbane, QLD 4072 We use isotope ratios from 3 are important foraging habitats for Queensland Government, commensal barnacle shells, adult turtles foraging in southern Department of Environment and which form sequentially and areas, while genuinely marine Science, Brisbane, QLD 4102 store isotope information that habitats are likely more important CONTACT DETAILS reflects temperature and salinity than estuaries for turtles foraging in [email protected] rather than turtle diet. This makes northern Australia and the southern it possible to assign a date to Pacific islands. We expect these samples and compare isotope techniques to be applied widely ratios with the spatial and temporal to other turtle populations, taxa distribution of remotely collected and objects that carry barnacles sea water parameters. We apply throughout marine journeys. this technique to predict the home areas of loggerhead turtles that nested in southern Queensland, Australia, identifying hotspots and relationships between nesting and foraging habitats.

10-8 SEPTEMBER 2018 71 ABSTRACT The Raine Island Recovery Project: Good project governance is critical to support adaptive management at the world’s largest green turtle rookery

AUTHOR Raine Island in the far northern A key element of success for this Mark Read1 Great Barrier Reef supports the project was the establishment Andrew Dunstan2 world’s largest aggregation of and investment in good project Tina Alderson2 nesting green turtles and is one governance. This included 2 of the most significant seabird appointing a dedicated project Katharine Robertson rookeries on the east coast of manager, establishing appropriate 2 Damien Head Australia. Long-term monitoring forums to ensure the rights Richard Quincey2 of turtle nesting and hatching and interests of Wuthathi and success indicated there were real Torres Strait Island peoples were 1Great Barrier Reef Marine Park problems with how this rookery represented and a Scientific Advisory Authority, Townsville QLD 4810 was functioning, and that hundreds Group to ensure appropriate 2 Queensland Department to thousands of females were oversight of any research proposed of Environment and Science, dying each year from cliff fall, for the island and to endorse Bungalow QLD 4870 getting trapped in beachrock and the annual work program. This CONTACT DETAILS heat exhaustion. To address these governance structure has ensured [email protected] issues, the managing agencies first there is good project oversight implemented on-ground actions and robust processes in place to to reduce turtle mortality and ensure transparency of decision then more significant works to try making and funding allocation. The and address the low nesting and Raine Island Recovery Project has hatching success. reinforced the value of good project governance, but this becomes even more important when engaging in adaptive management actions at such an internationally-significant biodiversity hotspot.

72 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 4TH AUSTRALIAN MARINE TURTLE SYMPOSIUM ABSTRACT Turtle watching: allying conservation, research and tourism for a case study in New Caledonia

AUTHOR Two species (Chelonia mydas, With a mean of 0.82 nesting turtles Tyffen Read Caretta caretta) lay on the beaches during the hours of turtle watching, Marion Petit of New Caledonia. The beach of activities and presentations had to Marion Magnan La Roche Percée site is the second be put in place in order to make the most important nesting site for public wait while still learning about Richard Farman loggerhead turtles in the South the sea turtles. 88.8% of visitors Laboratory of Marine Biology Pacific, with an annual population were able to see a turtle and this is and Ecology, Aquarium des Lagons, ranging from 50 to 80 individuals. highly correlated to the satisfaction Noumea, New Caledonia rate (88.2%). In 2006, the association Bwärä CONTACT DETAILS Turtles Marines was created with In 2011, a study conducted by Read [email protected] the main goal of protecting the et al. on that same beach, had loggerhead turtles of La Roche revealed high nest temperatures, Percée because of multiple exceeding the 34°C lethal threshold, problems in this touristic site where affecting hatchling physical 120 families live and where 80% of capacity and morphology. Using the nests were destroyed by dogs. these previous results and to Although a number of South Pacific attenuate the negative effects Island countries also have marine of high temperatures on eggs turtle activities (Fiji, Solomon Islands, incubation, shaded structures Micronesia, Vanuatu ...), there are have been established on the dune no country guidelines for best of the beach of La Roche Percée turtle conservation. A site-specific beach during the 2016/2017 and feasibility study is recommended in the 2017/2018 nesting seasons. a WWF report titled “Money talks: Some nests, whose survival was economic aspects of marine turtle threatened, were relocated, use and conservation”. According to positioned into the hatchery its policy of economic development and equipped with temperature respectful of the environment, the dataloggers. Artificial shade southern province of New Caledonia created by the structures allowed has initiated a reflection to promote to decrease sand temperatures by the development of a respectful approximately 1.3°C and resulted turtle observation. in hatchlings with greater weight. It would seem that using artificial A pilot study has been entrusted to shaded structures is a viable the Aquarium des Lagons in order management option to consider in to consolidate the parameters order counteracting the high sand relating to the observation of turtles temperatures on some nesting applicable to New Caledonia. During beaches and thus improving two consecutive seasons, over 2000 hatchlings survival. visitors were brought onto the beach to assist to females laying eggs or hatchlings regaining the sea.

10-8 SEPTEMBER 2018 73 ABSTRACT Relative significance of the Muiron Islands in the Ningaloo Coast World Heritage Area as nesting habitat for green, loggerhead and hawksbill turtles

AUTHOR The Ningaloo Coast and Pilbara Organisations that participated Dani Rob Islands are significant nesting areas in the on-beach turtle monitoring Peter Barnes for green, loggerhead, flatback and included DBCA (including Exmouth hawksbill turtles. Good and up-to- staff and traditional owner Parks and Wildlife Service, date information is available for trainee rangers), Woodside, Cape Department of Biodiversity, some areas such as North West Conservation Group volunteers and Conservation and Attractions, Cape, Bungelup and Gnaraloo Ningaloo Turtle Program volunteers. Exmouth, Western Australia, 6707. through existing monitoring Aerial photogrammetry (high CONTACT DETAILS programs. Previous studies and resolution ortho-rectified imagery) [email protected] more recent observations suggest of beaches along the Ningaloo Coast there is also substantial nesting including the Muiron Islands was activity in many places outside these collected on 3 days (5th, 6th & 7th areas including the Muiron Islands January 2018). Conducting aerial and there remain large knowledge photogrammetry at the same time gaps along the Ningaloo Coast. as on-beach monitoring allowed for comparisons of the two methods. Woodside supported the Ningaloo Turtle Program under the direction Results from both on- of the Department of Biodiversity, beach monitoring and aerial Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) photogrammetry indicate that all to understand the distribution of available nesting habitat on the turtle activity and nesting along the entire Muiron Islands is being used Ningaloo Coast and southern Pilbara for nesting. All 4 species common Islands. On-beach and aerial surveys to the Pilbara region nest on the expanded the geographical scope of Islands. Using known nesting the existing Ningaloo Turtle Program success from on-beach monitoring by surveying mainland beaches and total activities from aerial and islands currently outside the photogrammetry, the estimated monitoring program. The addition number of nests that are laid during of beaches on the Muiron Islands the peak of the season on the in the 2017/18 turtle season helped Muirons (14kms) is very similar to that address knowledge gaps in turtle on the mainland NW Cape (20kms) nesting and will support broader for green and hawksbill turtles. There and more effective management are almost as many loggerhead nests and conservation. on the Muirons when compared to the very important mainland Accessible beaches on North rookery of Bungelup (5kms). Density and South Muiron Islands were of nests was variable; however monitored for seven days from South Muiron Island had the highest 5th – 12th January 2018, during the density of loggerhead nests after peak nesting period of turtles in the Bungelup. Overall, results from this Ningaloo region. study suggest the Muiron Islands as a nesting site may be as important as the mainland for turtles in the Ningaloo region.

74 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 4TH AUSTRALIAN MARINE TURTLE SYMPOSIUM ABSTRACT Reducing nesting turtle mortality on Raine Island through management actions

AUTHOR The earliest records from Raine During the sand re-profiling works Katharine Robertson Island show that there was regular in 2017, works occurred on a rock mortality of nesting green turtles formation dubbed ‘death rock’ that Raine Island Recovery Project, on beach. The adult mortality rate is was a site of numerous cliff falls Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, dependent on the number of nesting in the previous nesting season. Cairns, Queensland 4870 turtles ashore with between 100- Intervention works included re- CONTACT DETAILS 2000 individuals dying depending on shaping the rock and adding fencing [email protected] the season. As concerns were raised on top of it and the results from the about the collapse of the northern 2017-18 nesting season have been Great Barrier Reef (nGBR) green very positive. turtle population, ways to prevent A dedicated rescue program in adult mortality were investigated. combination with regular trips to Adult turtle mortality at Raine Island the Island has allowed for hundreds is due to heat exhaustion, cliffs falls of turtles to be rescued. In 2017-18 from toppling over small phosphate season alone, 211 adult turtles were cliffs and entrapment in beachrock rescued from Raine Island. The value and cliff crevices. Interventions of rescues program and reducing works commenced in 2011 to cliff mortality on the Island has reduce the number of nesting turtle long-term positive outcomes for the toppling over the cliffs and dying nGBR green turtle population. through the installation of fencing around the perimeter of the inner phosphate cliff. As of 2018, 1500m of cliff top fencing has been installed on the Island.

10-8 SEPTEMBER 2018 75 ABSTRACT Keep off the grass: using exclusion cages to understand megaherbivore feeding on Great Barrier Reef seagrass meadows

AUTHOR Seagrasses provide important Abigail Scott habitat that delivers ecosystem Paul York services and provides food to a Michael Rashee wide diversity of herbivores globally. In the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) Centre for Tropical Water & Aquatic we find the full size spectrum of Ecosystem Research (TropWATER), herbivores and high numbers of James Cook University, PO Box 6811, megaherbivores, these large grazers Cairns QLD 4870 can consume significant amounts CONTACT DETAILS of seagrass and act to structure [email protected] seagrass meadows. Impacts on seagrass structure can alter the provision of other ecosystem services provided by the meadow. We carried out exclusion experiments within the GBR to understand the role of different herbivores in structuring seagrass meadows. Our results show different feeding strategies of herbivores in each habitat, especially turtles, which impact the meadow in different ways. Both sites were impacted by megaherbivore grazing, but feeding strategies of turtles at different sites had very different impacts on meadow structure. Our preliminary findings give an insight into the different ways in which megaherbivore feeding structures seagrass meadows and can impact the other important ecosystem services provided by these meadows.

76 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 4TH AUSTRALIAN MARINE TURTLE SYMPOSIUM ABSTRACT Flatback monitoring at Curtis Island 2017-2018 season

AUTHOR Curtis Island is located adjacent to The size of the nesting population John Sergeev Gladstone and is near substantial during the two-week mid-season industrial development and census period has approximately Queensland Department potential light pollution. Curtis Island halved during the past decade, even of Environment and Science, supports a moderate sized flatback though the recruitment of new Aquatic Species Program, rookery for the east Australian adults into the nesting population Dutton Park, Qld, 4102 stock. It is one of the index nesting has been increasing during the CONTACT DETAILS areas for flatback turtles that has same period. The nesting beach [email protected] been monitored annually across supports reasonable nesting success decades, with support since 1993 throughout the entire season. from Gladstone Ports Corporation. At Curtis Island the nesting Curtis Island has one of the longest population continues to display histories of monitoring of flatback strong long-term fidelity to the turtle breeding in Australia and beach. However, two turtles hence the world. recorded at Curtis Island this last The length of the nesting season season had been tagged previously was recorded at Curtis Island with at other nesting beaches in previous nesting commencing on 8 October seasons. One of these turtles 2017 and the last nest laid on 13 had previously at Mon Repos, January 2018. Nightly monitoring with the largest shift between began on 24 November to 14 nesting beaches recorded for December, which incorporates the a flatback turtle. two-week mid-season census period Curtis Island clutches were (24 November to 7 December). monitored for incubation success, hatchling emergence success and incubation period to emergence from across the entire breeding season. Curtis Island sand supports the successful incubation of clutches and hatchling production, but with a strong bias towards female hatchling production. Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service management has successfully reduced the number of feral predators adjacent to the nesting beach. As a result, almost all of clutches incubate successfully without feral animal disturbance.

10-8 SEPTEMBER 2018 77 ABSTRACT Telemetry of inter-nesting loggerhead turtles in the Woongarra coast: an indication of strategic habitat use

AUTHOR Reproduction is a life-time There were also clear diel movement Takahiro Shimada1,2 objective for all living organisms. patterns. The turtles used larger Mark Hamann2 To maximise reproductive fitness, areas during the daytime than Colin Limpus1 individual animals may strategically at night. During the daytime, the manage factors that influence their turtles tended to move further from 1Aquatic Species Program, reproductive outputs. Multiple the shore and dive deeper than Department of Environment factors often influence an animal’s at night, and the moving speed and Science, Brisbane, reproduction, and they can substantially increased around Queensland 4001 vary by species, life stages, and sunset and sunrise. The diurnal 2James Cook University, environment. For breeding female deeper dive may be to attain longer College of Science and Engineering, sea turtles, important factors may neutral buoyancy to minimise their Townsville, Queensland 4811 include allocation of stored energy energy consumption, when the sun CONTACT DETAILS and predation risk, given their high provides higher visibility and helps [email protected] dependency on internally stored the turtles detect predators in the reserves (e.g. fat and follicles) more exposed mid-water. The diel and elevated predation risks by pattern of travelling speed may sharks during breeding activities. indicate their intention to maximise Comprehensive understanding their time in the deeper water of animal behaviour forms the during the day while minimising foundation of such physiological the risks to predation at night by and ecological investigations. travelling quickly between shallower inshore and deeper offshore waters To investigate the horizontal and at the diel transitions. vertical movements of inter-nesting loggerhead turtles, we collected This study revealed the fundamental GPS satellite telemetry and dive movement patterns of the inter- data from 32 loggerhead turtles nesting loggerhead turtles along that nested in the Woongarra coast the Woongarra coast, and warrants between 2009 and 2017. We found further investigation into the most turtles stayed in the proximity reproductive physiology and to the nesting beaches and each ecology of this endangered sea turtle tended to use a similar area turtle species. In the coming across multiple renesting periods. breeding season at Mon Repos, This individual site fidelity occurred we plan to test some of the within the same breeding season, hypotheses discussed above by and also persisted across different quantifying their energy expenditure breeding seasons. Philopatry to using a combination of GPS specific near-shore habitat likely satellite telemetry tags, depth reduced their energy expenditure and acceleration recording devices, and risk to predation by not having and ultrasound examination of to travel far from the nesting gonads across multiple breeding beaches and knowing where to rest events of each turtle. and take refuge.

78 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 4TH AUSTRALIAN MARINE TURTLE SYMPOSIUM ABSTRACT Understanding characteristics of sea turtle volunteers in Queensland, Australia

AUTHOR Iconic and charismatic megafauna Focusing on marine turtle Edith Shum1 species, such as marine turtles, organisations in Queensland, Claudia Benham2 attract the attention of volunteers Australia, exploratory data was Ellen Ariel3 worldwide. As an iconic endangered collected over a four-week period 4 species, marine turtles are using a questionnaire survey Karina Jones an international cause that distributed with the help of four 1James Cook University, has attracted enthusiasts and turtle organisations in Townsville College of Science & Engineering, organizations worldwide to establish and Cairns: The Caraplace - James Townsville, QLD 4811 conservation tools dedicated to Cook University Turtle Health 2James Cook University, sustaining turtle populations. Research, Reef HQ, Sea Turtle College of Science & Engineering, While the trend for volunteering Foundation, and Cairns Turtle Townsville, QLD 4811 increases, it has become more costly Rehabilitation Centre. To address 3James Cook University, and time consuming for volunteer this, a wide-range exploratory College of Public Health, coordinators to train newcomers. analysis will be applied to identify Medical & Veterinary Sciences, Due to funding limitations, a the characteristics of volunteers Townsville, QLD 4811 common theme for many species, engaged in marine turtle 4James Cook University, organisations must rely heavily on conservation programs. College of Public Health, volunteers to help achieve their Medical & Veterinary Sciences, conservation goals. A solution for Townsville, QLD 4811 program organisers is to have CONTACT DETAILS a better understanding of the [email protected] characteristics of turtle volunteers. By doing so, it will not only provide insight to how managers can market for volunteer recruitment, but also enlighten why sea turtle conservation has been successful, and how it can be applied to other critically vulnerable species.

10-8 SEPTEMBER 2018 79 ABSTRACT On reflection of past five years of marine turtle monitoring in Torres Strait

AUTHOR Plans have been developed for all However, as the project reached an Andrew Simmonds 14 outer island communities and end of cycle on June 30, 2018 a review more recently, for the Kaiwalagal is required in order to improve shared Torres Strait Regional Authority, Region. All plans are endorsed by outcomes for the species of concern Environmental Management, the relevant Traditional Owner and the Torres Strait communities Thursday Island, 4875 groups and RNTBCs for the who rely on them. CONTACT DETAILS respective areas. A compliance On reflection of 5 years of monitoring [email protected] management framework is also work a number of questions need to under development to strengthen The Torres Strait Regional Authority’s be asked? traditional governance structures Land and Sea Management Unit ● Given the TSRA’s current funding and mechanisms to reinforce the (LSMU) coordinates the delivery of model and role as a management community-based management the Environmental Management and community development arrangements. Programme, in line with the agency, can it reasonably be asked vision, guiding principles and As part of the Torres Strait Dugong to deliver robust monitoring data management directions in the Land and Turtle Management Project, without a greater partnered role and Sea Management Strategy TSRA undertakes development from State Government-based for Torres Strait 2016-2036. The of marine turtle monitoring expertise who together with program employs over 83 staff plans together with State and TSRA can meet community and (approximately 80% Indigenous) Commonwealth government marine management information needs? including 50 Indigenous Land and turtle and environmental scientists ● In the context of lessons learnt Sea Rangers on the 13 outer island along with institutional research from the recent past extinction communities. The LSMU is resourced scientists. At the community level, of the Bramble Cay Melomys, through a combination of internal questions and directions for such declining performance of index and external funding, and works plans are developed through nesting sites for north east in collaboration with Traditional management meetings held Australian turtle stocks and Owners, research partners and all together with TSRA, with respective climate change impacts on Torres levels of government to address communities providing final support Strait islands, regional coral reef local, regional, state, national and for plan implementation. habitats and turtle stock sex ratios, international obligations to protect what is considered to be our best Broadly, this process has been the region’s unique natural and onward investment in relation useful as base capacity has been cultural values. to not only turtle monitoring in developed within the Ranger Torres Strait, but also habitat The LSMU has pioneered a program on how to gather survey restoration and conservation community-based management information on marine turtles. interventions? approach for the dugong and Local communities have also been turtle fisheries in Torres Strait, involved in these efforts. This These questions call for a summit supporting Traditional Owners to combination of factors has meant to develop a monitoring and action develop management plans that Torres Strait communities have a plan that recognises regional and integrate customary knowledge and much better understanding of the stock-specific approaches to marine management practices and western work being done and have some turtle management in north east scientific knowledge and best information on how turtle rookeries Australia. Such a process needs to practice contemporary management in their country are performing. have Indigenous environmental mechanisms. management and traditional use rights and interests central to its development.

80 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 4TH AUSTRALIAN MARINE TURTLE SYMPOSIUM ABSTRACT Microclimatic effects on the incubation success, hatchling morphology and locomotor performance of loggerhead turtles

AUTHOR Global atmospheric temperatures Nests in sun had significantly Melissa Staines1 are set to rapidly increase over the higher nest temperatures and David Booth1 next hundred years, consequently shorter incubation periods than Colin Limpus2 altering the microclimates of the those in the shade, however sand dune environment where sea presence/absence of surface 1University of Queensland, turtles lay their eggs. Prior research vegetation had no effect on nest School of Biological Sciences, has demonstrated that high nest temperature. De-vegetated nests St. Lucia QLD 4072 temperatures increase embryo had higher emergence success than 2Threatened Species Unit, mortality, decrease hatchling vigour vegetated nests, with the greatest Department of Environment and size, and feminise the sex-ratio difference in emergence success and Science, Brisbane QLD 4102 of clutches. Sand temperature is occurring between vegetated nests CONTACT DETAILS ultimately affected by microclimatic and de-vegetated nests in the [email protected] factors of the dunes including sand shade. Hatchlings that emerged composition, vegetation cover and from cooler, shaded nests were sun exposure. Ground vegetation larger in carapace size and had cover is very important for structure better locomotor performance than in the dune ecosystem and even the more lethargic hatchlings that promotes female nesting behaviour, emerged from sun-exposed nests. however its effect on sea turtle To improve the hatchling clutches in terms of hatching and production and quality of emergence success and quality of endangered marine turtles at hatchlings has not been quantified. naturally ‘hot’ beaches such as I conducted a study on the Mon Repos, active management loggerhead turtle nests at Mon Repos strategies are required. Removing Conservation Park in southeast the more problematic and Queensland, to investigate the effect widespread grass species as well as of nest location on the incubation increasing the amount of natural success, hatchling morphology shading over the dunes by mindful and locomotor performance of planning can be implemented as an hatchlings. Twenty-four nests adaptable, global strategy to ensure were relocated into a two-factor the longevity of all threatened design, with shade/sun and surface sea turtle populations against the vegetated/cleared as primary factors. adverse effects of global warming.

10-8 SEPTEMBER 2018 81 ABSTRACT Predator reduction strategies for protecting loggerhead turtle nests at Sandy Cape, Fraser Island (K’gari) in Queensland

AUTHOR The Sandy Cape Rookery at the far Rocks and relocate any loggerhead Aubrey Strydom1 northern end of Fraser Island is an nests found to the secure relocation Don Bradley2 important nesting beach on K’gari cages. Volunteers guide some of the Lesley Bradley2 (Fraser Island) for the Environment emerging clutches to the sea from Protection and Biodiversity the Lighthouse relocation cage in the 1Volunteers Queensland Parks Conservation Act 1999 (the EPBC Act) evenings when they hatch. Fuel for and Wildlife Service, Fraser Island listed endangered Loggerhead turtle. volunteers’ use during this project 2Volunteers of Sandy Cape The aim of the project is to lift the has been provided in the past, from Lighthouse Conservation Association hatching success rate of loggerhead LMRL&CCG funding. Loggerhead CONTACT DETAILS nests across Fraser Island – K’gari nests are carefully excavated, each [email protected] to over 70%, and to increase the egg marked with a felt tipped pen number of hatchlings leaving the so that it can be handled without nest & actually making it to the rotation, packed into a foam box in sea. Trained volunteers take part a bed of moist sand, and then slowly in the program which will ensure driven to a relocation cage. A natural continuation of and enthusiasm shaped egg chamber is created, and in the protection of turtle nests the eggs placed at a similar depth on Fraser Island. Turtle nests are to the original nest, again without relocated to a safe environment in a rotating them, and covered firmly cage and protected from predation with moist sand. The nest is marked (dingoes, goannas), inundation by internally with a piece of labelled the ocean, and recreational vehicle flagging tape, and on the surface & camper impacts. Vegetation with a 700mm nest peg, both include around the cages is cleared to avoid an identifying number, the date, and moisture seeking dune plant roots number of eggs. from impacting nests. Emerging Volunteers are kept abreast of when hatchlings when guided to the sea hatchlings are due to emerge from can be protected from exhaustion the cages. At the end of the season in vehicle tracks, and predation by they will dig up all the relocated ghost crabs and dingoes clutches for the shell counts which Some of the Lighthouse volunteers monitor the hatching success of are both Queensland Parks and the relocated clutches, and provide Wildlife Service rangers (QPWS) feedback to the individuals as to Volunteers and members of their correct relocation procedures the Lower Mary River Land and species identification. Data and Catchment Care Group Inc sheets are faxed daily to a (LMRL&CCG), and some have a coordinator who gives feedback decade or more of experience in on data entry and other potential nest relocation and clutch counts relocation issues identifiable from in the Sandy Cape rookery. The the data. Analysis of the annual Lighthouse Volunteers drive two monitoring data will contribute to to four hours a day in their own long term QPWS management plans vehicles, the 88km round trip of for turtles on Fraser Island – K’gari. beach from Rooney Point to Ngkala

82 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 4TH AUSTRALIAN MARINE TURTLE SYMPOSIUM ABSTRACT Using satellite tracking to examine whether the in-water regulatory protections for the courting and nesting turtles using the northern beaches of K’gari-Fraser Island are adequate

AUTHOR 2. Great Sandy Marine Park (GSMP) For nesting green and loggerhead Aubrey Strydom1 2008/2017: has zonings for a females, we found a diverse range Takahiro Shimada2 Seasonal (vessel) Go-Slow Zone of behaviours, with some turtles th th Simone Bosshard1 from 15 October to 30 April remaining very close to the nesting extending 500 metres offshore beach, within or close to the existing 1Sandy Cape Turtle Volunteers, along the north-western beach, Go-Slow Zone during their inter- QPWS K’Gari-Fraser Island, QLD, 4581 and zonings for two permanent nesting periods, and others moving 2James Cook University, Marine National Parks (MNP) (no to 40km down the West or East College of Science and Engineering, fishing): MNP 11 & MNP 12, each coast of the Island. One green swam Townsville, Queensland 4811 start at a point at 500 metres between 60 and 280km straight line CONTACT DETAILS offshore, and widen to 5.6km and distances beyond the nesting beach [email protected] 7.5km (respectively) offshore at between each clutch. Two of the 9 their greatest extent. These two greens migrated away mid-season to Courting green turtles couple MNPs protect about 50% of their continue nesting elsewhere. offshore, and strand together, or 5.6km to 7.5km band of offshore We conclude that the Fisheries bask individually on the northern waters along the NW beach. beaches of K’gari – Fraser Island Sandy Cape Seasonal Trawl Closure from September to December, and We satellite tracked marine turtles protects the courting turtles well, green and loggerheads nest from captured in the shallows, or on but needs to be extended to October to April. Two key pieces of the beach using 25 GPS tags and April to better protect the nesting Queensland legislation protecting three ARGOS tags. In the three turtles. Alternatively, the MNP11 marine turtles here in-water include: seasons 2014 to 2016 we followed & MNP12 should be expanded 13 courting male greens using GPS by amalgamating them between 1. Queensland Fisheries East satellite trackers to examine their the line below their northernmost Coast Trawl Plan 1999/2010: habitat use while courting and four extents. The GSMP seasonal 500 has a seasonal trawl closure courting female greens to discover metre Go-Slow Zone should extend 20th September to 1st February their nesting beaches, and inter- out to 2,000 metres to better protect between 3.26km to 5.62km nesting habitats. In November 2017, the courting and nesting turtles offshore off the north-western eight nesting green females and on the north-western beach from st beach, and from 1 September three nesting loggerhead females boat strike. Both protections should st to 1 April, a 200-metre seasonal were tracked to examine their extend down to Indian Head on the trawl closure off the entire inter-nesting habitats. We identified East coast, and to Wathumba Creek eastern beach. a particular courting green male on the West coast, and out to turtle behaviour - they repeatedly 2,000 metres. patrolled a section of beach a few kilometres long, went offshore to between 3km and 7km, and then returned with high fidelity to patrol the same section of beach.

10-8 SEPTEMBER 2018 83 ABSTRACT A full life cycle Dynamic Energy Budget model for Ningaloo green turtles

AUTHOR Green turtles (Chelonia mydas) Using the model, we investigated Jessica Stubbs1,2 are one of the most common sea maternal effects on embryonic Nicola Mitchell1,3 turtle species found in the Ningaloo development and showed that Mat Vanderklift2 Marine Park. Green turtles use differences in initial energy content 4 the area for both nesting and of eggs between clutches influenced Sabrina Fossette foraging, and they form part of a hatchling size and residual yolk at 5 Richard Pillans globally significant population for hatching. Additionally, we inferred Nina Marn1,6 the species. Despite this, much of patterns of energy allocation Starrlight Augustine7 the research and monitoring of throughout the green turtles’ this population has been focussed life cycle. We will further use this 1 School of Biological Sciences, on the nesting environment and model to simulate different food University of Western Australia consequently, relatively little is and temperature scenarios and (M092), Crawley, WA 6009 known about their in-water biology. to investigate the effects of these 2 CSIRO Oceans and Atmosphere, Sea turtles’ life history traits such environmental variables on growth Indian Ocean Marine Research as their slow growth, longevity and reproduction. The mechanistic Centre, University of Western Australia, and their use of habitats that are nature of the model allows Crawley, WA 6009 difficult to sample during parts predictions for scenarios outside 3Oceans Institute, University of their life make it challenging to the range of current conditions. of Western Australia, 35 Stirling study the whole life cycle of these This will be useful in the Highway, Crawley, WA 6009 species. Quantifying energy budgets investigation of how these 4Department of Biodiversity, may enhance our understanding turtles might respond to future Conservation and Attractions, of the ecology and physiology of environmental changes expected Kensington, WA, 6151 these difficult to study species. with climate change. 5CSIRO Oceans and Atmosphere, Dynamic Energy Budget (DEB) 41 Boggo Road, theory offers a thermodynamically Dutton Park, QLD 4102 consistent mechanistic framework 6Rudjer Bošković Institute, to investigate the uptake, use and Bijenička cesta 54, HR-10002 storage of energy throughout an Zagreb, Croatia animals’ life. 7Akvaplan-niva, Fram High North Research Centre for Climate Here, we successfully parameterise & Environment, 9296 Tromsø, the first full life cycle DEB model Norway for a green turtle population and CONTACT DETAILS provide insight into their physiology [email protected] and energetics. Model predictions matched empirical data well and the estimated parameters were comparable to those of other sea turtle species for which DEB models are available.

84 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 4TH AUSTRALIAN MARINE TURTLE SYMPOSIUM ABSTRACT Can flatback (Natator depressus) sea turtle embryos cope with and adapt to high nest temperatures?

AUTHOR Sea turtle embryos cannot As beach temperatures in northern Jamie Tedeschi1,2 behaviourally buffer themselves Australia are expected to increase Nicola Mitchell1 against high nest temperatures, in the next 50 years, we ask ‘will Olly Berry3 but it is possible they can rely on this endemic species also utilize the 4 molecular mechanisms to survive HSR to cope with increased nest Scott Whiting thermal challenges. Previous studies temperatures like the loggerheads 5 Mark Meekan have shown that the loggerhead can?’ I will discuss how we measured Jason Kennington1,2 sea turtle (Caretta caretta), a species heat shock gene expression levels which nests in temperate regions, in late-stage flatback turtle embryos 1University of Western Australia, is able to cope with acute thermal and compare these findings to our School of Biological Sciences, stress late in development. Late- earlier study on loggerhead embryo Crawley, WA 6009 stage loggerhead embryos have responses to acute thermal stress. 2University of Western Australia, shown to increase expression of Centre for Evolutionary Biology, heat sensitive genes in response to Crawley, WA 6009 a thermal challenge. This response 3Environomics Future Science pathway, called the Heat Shock Platform, CSIRO (at UWA), Crawley, WA 6009 Response (HSR), is heritable in this species, giving future generations 4Marine Science Program, of loggerhead sea turtles an Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, opportunity to adapt to predicted Kensington, WA 6151 increases in nest temperatures. However, what remains a mystery 5Australian Institute of Marine Science (at UWA), is if and how flatback sea turtles Crawley, WA 6009 (Natator depressus), a species which nests in tropical regions, may CONTACT DETAILS respond to thermal challenges. [email protected]

10-8 SEPTEMBER 2018 85 ABSTRACT Movement behaviour of green and hawksbill turtles on the Northwest Shelf of Western Australia

AUTHOR Both hawksbill and green turtles And for hawksbill turtles, on Michele Thums forage in, migrate throughout, the coast between the Dampier Luciana Ferreira1 and have important nesting sites Archipelago and Port Hedland, near Phillipa Wilson2 (e.g. Dampier Archipelago) on Barrow Island, Lowendal Islands, the Northwest Shelf, but there is Exmouth and Eighty Mile Beach. 1Australian Institute of Marine limited data on their movement Although most of the turtles are Science, Indian Ocean Marine and distribution in this area. Here remaining relatively close to shore Research Centre, The University we aimed to determine biologically with many using the area off Eighty of Western Australia (M096), important areas for hawksbill and Mile Beach, two green turtles have 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, green turtles on the North-west undertaken large migrations with WA 6009 Shelf of Western Australia, as key one individual migrating across open 2 Oceans Graduate School and receptors for pressures emitted ocean, 1300 km away to Sumba, the UWA Oceans Institute, The by the oil and gas industry. We Indonesia and another migrated 600 University of Western Australia, deployed satellite transmitter at km to the Rowley Shoals. 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, nesting grounds on 20 hawksbill WA 6009 Half of the tags deployed had GPS turtles (Lowendal Islands and receivers and returned locations CONTACT DETAILS Dampier Archipelago) and 20 green with much greater accuracy [email protected] turtles (Dampier Archipelago and than standard Argos locations. Middle Island). Deployments were In addition, the tags transmitted done relatively early in the breeding information on haul-out events season in order to document their (the salt-water switch recording the inter-nesting movements as well as tag as dry). Using a combination the migration to foraging grounds of Fastloc-GPS positions close which are undocumented. to the beach and the haul-out The migratory paths and foraging information we were able to record grounds of both species largely the number of nesting events and occurred within the 25 m contour the inter-nesting interval. We also between North-west Cape and calculated the residence at the Broome with foraging hotspots breeding grounds, departure to the for green turtles in the Dampier foraging grounds and the area used Archipelago, Eighty Mile Beach, during the inter-nesting period, the Barrow Island and Port Hedland. migration to foraging grounds and the foraging area.

86 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 4TH AUSTRALIAN MARINE TURTLE SYMPOSIUM ABSTRACT Distribution and Abundance of Nesting Marine Turtles in Northwestern Australia: Pairing the Landscape and local Perspectives

AUTHOR An increased demand for knowledge The surveys give a landscape Tony Tucker1 of north-western Australian marine perspective to Commonwealth and Kellie Pendoley2 turtle resources arises from the State interests and new detailed Scott Whiting1 newly established Kimberley Marine data for local management by Parks, the indigenous ranger Traditional Owners through Healthy 1Department of Biodiversity, groups responsible for on-country Country Plans. Pairing landscape Conservation and Attractions, management, and the release of and local perspectives identifies the Perth, Western Australia 2017 Australian Commonwealth priority turtle beaches and allows 2Pendoley Environmental, Marine Turtle Recovery Plans. The strategic recommendations for Booragoon, Western Australia Western Australia Marine Science future studies and monitoring. CONTACT DETAILS Institute Turtle Project 1.2.2 [email protected] addressed that knowledge gap with comprehensive aerial surveys. Over 44,000 aerial photos included all known rookeries and 91% of the remote Kimberley islands and coastline collected in mid-summer and mid-winter seasons of 2014. On-ground surveys were conducted for 37 accessible locations to verify species. The surveys inventoried turtle nesting at scales of 1-10-100- 1000s of tracks. Beaches significant to management interests were identified by high track counts and included the winter flatbacks at Cape Domett, summer greens at the Lacepedes and summer flatbacks at Wallal Downs- Eighty Mile Beach. Aerial surveys had low power to detect olive ridley or hawksbill turtles because those species were sparse and isolated in the Kimberley, the tracks of the lighter-bodied species do not persist as long and the timing of the survey was not ideal to pick their seasonal phenology. No leatherback or loggerhead tracks were recorded although migrations through the region are known through indigenous knowledge, fisheries bycatch or satellite telemetry.

10-8 SEPTEMBER 2018 87 ABSTRACT Assessing the impacts of chemical contaminants in marine turtles using novel cell-based approaches

AUTHOR Chemical contaminants are These cell cultures provide the Jason van de Merwe accumulating in marine turtles basis for measuring the effects Kimberly Finlayson globally. However, we know of contaminants in marine turtles, Stephanie Chaousis very little about the effects of using metabolomics, proteomics contaminants in these animals, and bioassays assessing cellular Gulsah Dogruer mainly due to the ethical and endpoints such as cytotoxicity, Frederic Leusch logistical restrictions of conducting oxidative stress and DNA damage. whole animal toxicity testing Combined with other techniques Australian Rivers Institute and School of Environment on these large animals of high such as toxicokinetic modelling, and Science, Griffith University, conservation significance. Cell-based the establishment of marine turtle Gold Coast, Queensland, 4222 approaches can provide an ethical cell-based approaches to measuring and cost effective alternative for toxicity will facilitate species-specific CONTACT DETAILS assessing the effects of chemicals understanding of the impacts of [email protected] in marine turtles. However, to date, contaminants in these animals. their application to understanding This will enhance management the health of marine turtles has and conservation. been limited, largely driven by the lack of available cell lines for these species. The establishment of marine turtle cell cultures is therefore an important step in developing the tools for toxicological research in these animals. Here we present methods for establishing cell cultures from marine turtles using the explant method, and an approach for using these cells to measure a wide range of effects of chemical contamination in marine turtles. Using these methods, we have established cell cultures from a range of marine turtle species and tissue types (skin, liver kidney, brain, etc).

88 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 4TH AUSTRALIAN MARINE TURTLE SYMPOSIUM ABSTRACT What can stable isotopes tell us about the ecology of green turtles at Ningaloo Reef?

AUTHOR Stable isotopes have become an We will present data from different Mat Vanderklift1 important part of an ecologist’s parts of a turtle (blood, skin), and Richard Pillans2 toolkit. New advances in analytical will discuss the implications for Andy Revill3 instruments and mathematical interpreting data from different 4 models are allowing us to probe tissue types. We will also discuss Jessica Stubbs more finely into questions about some data generated from 1CSIRO Oceans & Atmosphere, animal’s ecology and movement. compound-specific stable isotope Indian Ocean Marine Research Turtle ecologists have been among analyses, and what that means for Centre, Crawley, WA the first to embrace the innovations. understanding what turtles eat. 2 Finally, if there is enough time, we CSIRO Oceans & Atmosphere, In this presentation we will discuss will integrate results from individual- Brisbane, QLD a range of methods applied to 3 based movement studies (satellite CSIRO Oceans & Atmosphere, questions about the ecology and and acoustic tagging) to show how Hobart, TAS movement of green turtles at the the two different approaches can be 4University of Western Australia, World Heritage-listed Ningaloo used to complement each other. Indian Ocean Marine Research Reef. We will discuss some of the Centre, Crawley, WA thinking that needs to go into CONTACT DETAILS ensuring that the conclusions we [email protected] make are robust — like making sure we understand the baseline. For example, plants differ depending on how they photosynthesise, where they get their nitrogen, and whether they have roots. We will present data from bulk stable isotopes of carbon, nitrogen and sulphur to discuss these patterns. In addition, different tissues within an animal differ because they are comprised of different types of molecules (proteins, fat and so on) that vary in their turnover rates.

10-8 SEPTEMBER 2018 89 ABSTRACT Moreton Bay Marine Park: Values and Management

AUTHOR Moreton Bay Marine Park lies in Liz Vang Queensland’s south-east and is a highly diverse ecosystem, right Department of Environment on the doorstep of a capital city; and Science, Qld Parks and Wildlife Brisbane. Queensland Parks and Service, Manly, QLD 4179 Wildlife Service is responsible for CONTACT DETAILS day-to-day management of the [email protected] marine park. We will introduce the audience to the marine park, outlining some of the challenges that are faced in order to manage this high-use area. Values of the park (focussing on species diversity) will be described, including turtle population statistics and turtle tracking data. Some of the management approaches that are currently in place to help conserve marine turtle populations within the park will also be discussed.

90 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 4TH AUSTRALIAN MARINE TURTLE SYMPOSIUM ABSTRACT Legal and illegal turtle harvest and trade in Solomon Islands

AUTHOR Marine turtles are one of Earth’s They also used participatory Simon Vuto1 most ancient creatures and mapping to pinpoint the precise Christopher Brown3 have played an important role location where each turtle was Richard Hamilton2 in Solomon Islanders culture for captured and used questionnaires to 1 millennium. Although some turtle determine the use of turtle products. John Pita populations in Solomon Islands By the end of May 2018 over 1100 2 Nate Peterson are reported to have experienced turtles had been entered into the dramatic declines over the past turtle harvest database. The harvest 1The Nature Conservancy, Honiara Office, Rove, Honiara, century, the consumption of turtles of many other turtles that were not Solomon Islands remains a common practice. To inspected by community monitors manage turtles the Solomon Island were also noted. Most of the turtle 2The Nature Conservancy, Asia Pacific Resource Centre, 48 government banned the trade of captured in Solomon Islands are Montague Road, South Brisbane, all turtle products under the 1996 juvenile green and juvenile hawksbill QLD 4101, Australia Fisheries Act but allowed for ongoing turtles, with catch rates varying 3Australian Rivers Institute, subsistence harvest. Despite of considerably by province. the national ban, turtle products Griffith University, Nathan 4111, The next step of this project is continue to be illegally sold in Australia to statistically model the turtle Solomon Islands; both for food and CONTACT DETAILS database along with other covariates in some cases, to supply the illegal [email protected] such as reef area and human hawksbill shell trade. Yet there is population data, to calculate little information on the level or national levels of turtle harvest. types of harvest, the demographics This work was funded by the of the species captured or the use of Convention on International Trade turtle products in Solomon Islands. in Endangered Species (CITES) To address this data gap The Minimising the Illegal Killing of Nature Conservancy and community Elephants and other Endangered partners recently completed a Species (MIKES) program, an turtle harvest study across Solomon initiative of the African, Caribbean Islands. Between October 2016 and Pacific Group of States (ACP) and May 2018 trained community Secretariat funded by the monitors collected quantitative data European Union. on turtle catches from ten coastal communities that are located in seven provinces in Solomon Islands. Trained monitors developed photo libraries of harvested turtles and collected basic demographic data and DNA samples from each turtle examined.

10-8 SEPTEMBER 2018 91 ABSTRACT 11 years of turtle monitoring – the good news and the bad? Where to from here?

AUTHOR Community volunteer “citizen The question of how volunteers can Leigh Warneminde scientists” from the Sunshine Coast best work in partnership with all will discuss their experiences, levels of government incorporating Coolum and North Shore Coast Care, observations and the obstacles best practice using the current Yaroomba, QLD 4573 encountered over an 11-year period scientific research will be posed to CONTACT DETAILS since marine turtle monitoring first the audience for consideration. [email protected] commenced. We hope to ensure that there is This will include our findings: suitable turtle nesting habitat on ● Nesting numbers over the the Sunshine Coast and beyond in last decade the face of rapid development. We ● The emerging pattern of feel there is a need to improve the key nesting beaches on the current processes as they appear Sunshine Coast not to be effectively functioning ● Anecdotal problems encountered from a volunteer perspective. and what we have learned ● Current threats ● Practical solutions to some problems encountered ● Practical solutions to some problems encountered ● Stranding data collection. We will explore how we have undertaken practical measures to address some issues, including: ● Dune restoration and revegetation projects, ● Marine debris surveys and beach clean ups ● Community education – on and off the beach ● Feral pest management ● Engaging with educational facilities. We will examine at present threats: ● Increasing lighting issues ● Vegetation management ● Population increase and urbanisation ● Town planning decisions ● Gaps in legislation and protection.

92 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 4TH AUSTRALIAN MARINE TURTLE SYMPOSIUM ABSTRACT Key components for conducting effective and efficient nesting track surveys

AUTHOR Nesting sea turtle populations Andrea Whiting1 can be effectively and efficiently Scott Whiting2 monitored using track counts, but it all depends on the questions or 1PO Box 1212, Bentley DC, WA 6983 goals, a robust design and good 2Western Australia Department quality data. This presentation of Biodiversity, Conservation and outlines the key components in Attractions, Kensington, WA 6983 designing successful monitoring CONTACT DETAILS studies, drawing on experience [email protected] from previous studies throughout Western Australia and worldwide. Key components discussed will include: the types of questions, the frequency and timing of surveys, nightly variation in nesting abundance, how long tracks remain visible on the beach, species identification, ability to tell fresh from old tracks, and the accuracy in judging nesting success. This will be discussed in relation to accuracy of abundance estimates to compare between beaches and the ability to detect change over time. Methods of using track counts versus tagging studies will be discussed and we present benefits of using well- designed track count studies in certain situations. Survey design framework will be discussed in relation to remote places and places with diffuse nesting such as offshore islands and remote coastlines.

10-8 SEPTEMBER 2018 93 ABSTRACT Developmental migrations by hawksbill turtles from Cocos Keeling Islands to Western Indian Ocean: multiple lines of evidence

AUTHOR Marine turtle developmental or 4600 km to the nearest eastern Scott Whiting1 migrations involve the progressive African rookeries. We have recorded Andrea Whiting1 movements of turtles to different two Indian Ocean crossings by Ismail Macrae2 habitats as they grow and mature. CKI juvenile turtles to the Western 3,4 Here we summarise several Indian Ocean, a distance of over Jeanne Mortimer lines of evidence that indicate a 4500 km and well beyond the Janske van de developmental migration pattern distances currently known for Crommenacker5 by hawksbill turtles across the hawksbill breeding migrations. Indian Ocean that links the One of these turtles was tagged 1Biomarine International, Australian Cocos Keeling Islands as a juvenile and was recorded Perth, WA, 6983, Australia (CKI) to the African continent and years later at a western Indian 2 Parks Australia, Department western Indian Ocean. Ocean rookery. In addition, one CKI of Environment and Energy, Cocos juvenile hawksbill was tracked more Keeling Island, 6799, Australia The Australian Territory of the than 1000 km across the Indian 3 Cocos Keeling Islands is located in Department of Biology, University Ocean before losing signal from of Florida, Gainesville, Florida USA the eastern Indian Ocean, 2900 km the satellite transmitter. Evidence 4 from Perth, 1000 km from Christmas Turtle Action Group of Seychelles for developmental migration at CKI (TAGS), P.O. Box 1443, Victoria, Island and 1000 km from Java. We is supported by genetic linkages Mahé, Seychelles have conducted research at CKI between juvenile hawksbills 5 since 1999, primarily comprising Fregate Island Private, of Seychelles and the Chagos Republic of the Seychelles, foraging mark-recapture and nesting Archipelago. surveys. Results from foraging CONTACT DETAILS [email protected] studies show a large resident green Our hypothesis remains that turtle population spread across hatchling and neonate hawksbill all size classes and a moderate turtles are dispersed across the hawksbill turtle population Indian Ocean primarily from island dominated by juveniles. Nesting rookeries throughout the Western surveys have indicated that only Indian Ocean to foraging grounds green turtles nest on both atolls as far east as CKI. As hawksbills at with historic information indicating CKI near breeding age they move no hawksbill nesting over the last westward to foraging grounds closer 190 years. to their natal rookeries, allowing shorter breeding migrations near A case for large scale, ocean basin adult foraging grounds. Further wide, developmental migration from tracking studies of large sub adult CKI can be made with multiple lines turtles, the completion of genetic of evidence. At CKI hawksbill turtles analyses from CKI and further are under-represented in the adult sampling from other rookeries size classes indicating that there is and foraging grounds in the Indian major emigration occurring before Ocean would assist in determining adult stage. Hawksbill turtles do if this is a common pattern of not nest at CKI and breeding turtles movements. Such wide scale would need to migrate at least 1000 dispersal and migration has major km to Indonesia in the north, 2500 implications for hawksbill turtle km to Western Australia in the east, management in the Indian Ocean. 2800 km to Chagos Archipelago

94 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 4TH AUSTRALIAN MARINE TURTLE SYMPOSIUM ABSTRACT The use of an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle to complete a sea turtle track census

AUTHOR Technological advancements On-the-ground monitoring Paul Whittock have seen a rise in the application was conducted concurrently to Kellie Pendoley of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles determine the accuracy of the nest Rob Ryan (UAVs) to address a wide variety count detected from imagery data of subjects relating to the biology and to prove the viability of UAVs as Pendoley Environmental Pty Ltd, and conservation of wildlife. More a monitoring tool for this purpose. 12a Pitt Way, Booragoon, recently, UAVs have been tested Here we present the planning WA 6154, Australia as a tool to monitor marine turtle and health and safety considerations activity situated both on and CONTACT DETAILS prior to undertaking the commercial offshore. One main driver for the [email protected] UAV operation and the actual rise in use of UAVs is that in some application and performance of cases, it removes the need for on- the UAV in the field. We also present the-ground or offshore monitoring the comparison results between by personnel in the field and hence the nesting activity detected by eliminates the health and safety the UAV and the on-the-ground risks of working in potentially monitoring tool. remote, dangerous, or inaccessible areas. Recognising the advances and potential advantages of UAVs, we were commissioned by a client to demonstrate the viability of using a UAV to meet a monitoring commitment required as part of the environmental approvals process for their resource development in Western Australia. The commitment outlines the need to monitor marine turtle nesting activity (i.e. track counts) on a beach in close proximity to the development and, historically, has been undertaken by on-the-ground field personnel. To complete the survey, we used a commercially available UAV to record aerial imagery of the beach at a resolution suitable for determining track activity and species. The UAV was flown on a set flight path over multiple days. All imagery data was georeferenced and ortho-mosaicked for visualisation in GIS software.

10-8 SEPTEMBER 2018 95 ABSTRACT How much plastic does it take to kill a turtle? A quantitative analysis linking marine debris ingestion and sea turtle mortality

AUTHOR Sea turtles are at significant risk of We found a 50% probability Chris Wilcox1 ingesting plastic debris at all stages of mortality once an animal had Melody Puckridge1 of their lifecycle, with potentially 14 pieces of plastic in its gut. Qamar Schuyler1 lethal consequences. We tested the Our results provide the critical link 2 relationship between the amount between recent estimates of plastic Kathy Townsend of plastic a turtle has ingested and ingestion and the population effects 1 Britta Denise Hardesty the likelihood of death, treating of this environmental threat. animals that died of known causes 1CSIRO, Oceans and Atmosphere, Hobart, Tasmania, 7000 unrelated to plastic ingestion as a statistical control group. We 2University of the Sunshine utilized two datasets; one based on Coast, School of Science and Engineering, Hervey Bay, necropsies of 246 sea turtles and a QLD, 4655 second using 706 records extracted from a national strandings database. CONTACT DETAILS Animals dying of known causes [email protected] unrelated to plastic ingestion had less plastic in their gut than those that died of either indeterminate causes or due to plastic ingestion directly (e.g. via gut impaction and perforation).

96 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 4TH AUSTRALIAN MARINE TURTLE SYMPOSIUM ABSTRACT Seroprevalence of fibropapilomatosis in clinical and non-clinical tumour expressing green turtle (Chelonia mydas) populations of the Great Barrier Reef

AUTHOR The sea turtle disease, Adam Wilkinson1 fibropapillomatosis (FP) is a Mathias Ackermann2 debilitating disease characterised Graham Burgess1 by fibrous lesion growth in 1 soft tissue areas. FP has been Ellen Ariel closely associated with the sea 1College of Public Health, Medical turtle specific virus, Chelonid and Veterinary Sciences, James alphaherpesvirus-5 (ChHV5). Cook University, 1 James Cook Drive, This virus is known to latently infect Townsville QLD 4811. individuals. It is possible to infer 2University of Zurich, Switzerland. exposure to ChHV5 by diagnostically testing for virus specific antibodies CONTACT DETAILS [email protected] in sea turtle serum using Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay. Presence of such antibodies suggests past and possibly present exposure to ChHV5. It is hypothesised that ChHV5 antibodies can be present in the serum of individual turtles while FP clinical signs may not present. Additionally, it is hypothesised that significant numbers of FP expressing turtles also test positive for ChHV5 antibodies, suggesting that external pressures may play a role in FP development in green turtles (Chelonia mydas) of the Great Barrier Reef.

10-8 SEPTEMBER 2018 97 ABSTRACT High predation by fishes on turtle hatchlings at a site with a jetty

AUTHOR Predation during early life history We found that 70% of the fish Phillipa Wilson1,2 stages is a process critical to the predators that consumed tags used Michele Thums2 dynamics of populations of marine the jetty as a refuge during the day Charitha Pattiaratchi1 organisms. Here, we document and moved along the nearshore 3 rates of predation of flatback turtle during the night. The area of the Scott Whiting (Natator depressus) hatchlings as nearshore adjacent to the highest 4 Kellie Pendoley they disperse through nearshore density of turtle nests on the beach Mark Meekan2 waters in the presence of a built was a focus for activity of predators structure (a jetty), with and without at night. Sampling of potential 1Oceans Graduate School and artificial light. We used passive predators including lutjanid reef the UWA Oceans Institute, The acoustic telemetry to track the fishes under the jetty revealed the University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009 in-water movement and predation presence of turtle hatchlings in their rates of hatchlings off Thevenard gut contents. 2Australian Institute of Marine Island, Western Australia. Science, Indian Ocean Marine By providing daytime refuges for Research Centre, The University Seventy percent of the tagged predators, nearshore structures of Western Australia (M096), hatchlings released at our study site such as jetties have the potential to 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009 were consumed by predators before concentrate predators and when 3Marine Science Program, they could transit the receiver array located near turtle nesting beaches Department of Biodiversity, in the nearshore, irrespective of can increase the predation rate of Conservation and Attractions, the presence or absence of artificial hatchlings. The presence of port 17 Dick Perry Avenue, light. Rates of predation of only infrastructure at nesting locations Kensington, WA 6151 3–22% of hatchlings occurred at must be taken into consideration 4 Pendoley Environmental Pty Ltd, a second study site nearby where by management and conservation 12A Pitt Way, Booragoon, WA 6154 there was no jetty and a similar agencies for marine turtles. CONTACT DETAILS amount of nesting activity. Evidence [email protected] for predation was provided by immediate tag detachment due to predator handling of prey or the extensive movement of the tags in the receiver array suggesting that the tag (and hatchling) was inside the stomach of a predator.

98 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 4TH AUSTRALIAN MARINE TURTLE SYMPOSIUM ABSTRACT A collaborative model for turtle monitoring and predator control on the west coast of Cape York Peninsula

AUTHOR The west coast of Cape York Kerri Woodcock Peninsula supports Queensland’s largest nesting population of Western Cape Turtle Threat Abatement flatback turtles (Natator depressus) Alliance/Cape York NRM, PO Box 907, and Queensland’s entire nesting Atherton, QLD 4883 population of olive ridley turtles CONTACT DETAILS (Lepidochelys olivacea). Since [email protected] their formation in 2013, land and sea owners and managers on the Western Cape from Pormpuraaw, Napranum, Mapoon, Northern Peninsula Area and Kowanyama have taken ownership, sought solutions and shared resources for turtle conservation as part of the Western Cape Turtle Threat Abatement Alliance (WCTTAA). This presentation will outline the activities and outcomes achieved, as well as the challenges faced, in the five years of delivery of WCTTAA’s turtle monitoring and predator control program. Despite the inherent challenges of implementing a threatened species recovery program across multiple organisations in geographically remote locations, WCTTAA provides a unique example of a collaborative framework that is delivering significant results for turtle populations on the Western Cape.

10-8 SEPTEMBER 2018 99 POSTERS TurtleCare activity at Currimundi Beach, Sunshine Coast

AUTHOR Currimundi Beach on the Sunshine Currimundi beach is prone to Rhondda Alexander Coast is monitored daily by erosion, which means nests are Melissa Rowe volunteers as part of Sunshine Coast relocated to safer locations most Council’s TurtleCare Program. Two seasons. Other issues affecting TurtleCare Sunshine Coast Council, species of sea turtles nest at the Currimundi beach are residential Sunshine Coast, QLD 4560 Sunshine Coast, the endangered lighting and litter on the beach. CONTACT DETAILS loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) Litter pickup is done each day by the [email protected] and the green turtle (Chelonia volunteers, as well as two to three mydas). The Currimundi Beach larger clean-up events which are TurtleCare Group officially started organised throughout the year. in 2005 with Rhondda Alexander as Group Leader, a position she still holds today. Judith Brownlie was also with Rhondda in the beginning and at 80 years young is still part of this group. Currimundi Beach is one of the few off-leash dog beaches in the Sunshine Coast TurtleCare region. The 2 km stretch monitored runs from Currimundi Lake to Buderim Street and includes Coondibah Creek. The numbers of nests vary from year to year, with the 2017/18 season being one of the busiest since monitoring began with 8 nests. The majority of nests are laid by loggerhead turtles, with two green turtle nests since 2005.

100 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 4TH AUSTRALIAN MARINE TURTLE SYMPOSIUM POSTERS Buddina Beach: a team effort

AUTHOR Buddina beach on the Sunshine The poster demonstrates the Leisa Baldwin Coast is monitored daily during the dedication and collaboration of Wayne Bennett turtle nesting season by volunteers the Buddina TurtleCare volunteer as part of Sunshine Coast Council’s group performing sea turtle TurtleCare, Sunshine Coast Council, TurtleCare program. Volunteers monitoring tasks. Sunshine Coast, QLD 4560 at Buddina beach are particularly CONTACT DETAILS busy, as it usually records some of [email protected] the highest nest numbers of the beaches monitored by TurtleCare. The volunteer group, which is coordinated by volunteer group leaders, collects data from when the nests are laid through to hatchling emergence. The Buddina beach volunteer group is currently the largest group within TurtleCare. Good teamwork and collaboration are essential for a functioning volunteer group and to ensure positive conservation outcomes.

10-8 SEPTEMBER 2018 101 POSTERS TurtleCare Sunshine Coast: a model for success in citizen science

AUTHOR Sunshine Coast Council’s TurtleCare interventions such as nest Simone Bosshard program originally started in 2005 relocations of clutches that are at Kate Hofmeister at Shelly Beach with a small group risk of partial or complete loss due of interested local residents and to environmental factors, or where TurtleCare, Sunshine Coast Council, a council officer from Caloundra artificial light may disorientate Sunshine Coast, QLD 4560 City Council. The group grew and hatchlings on emergence. CONTACT DETAILS expanded to other local beaches All turtle nesting data is collected by [email protected] and now actively monitors 22 km TurtleCare volunteers and collated of coastline from North Bribie by Council officers. To ensure high Island to the Mooloolah River. Two quality and accuracy of TurtleCare species of sea turtles are found data, the data is quality checked by nesting on Sunshine Coast beaches, an independent consultant each the endangered loggerhead turtle year after completion of the nesting (Caretta caretta), and the green season. The data is then sent to the turtle (Chelonia mydas). Queensland Government’s turtle The current TurtleCare program database as part of QTCP’s citizen has over 160 active volunteers and science approach to sea turtle is coordinated by a designated management in Queensland. officer from the Sunshine Coast The TurtleCare program Council. The beaches are patrolled demonstrates a successful and monitored for sea turtle citizen science model for collecting activities each day from November high quality turtle monitoring data to March by volunteers. On-ground and undertaking management management and coordination of interventions to support a state-wide volunteer activities for each beach sea turtle conservation program is largely organised by dedicated and assist in population recovery of volunteer group leaders, who also the endangered Loggerhead turtle. assist with data collection. This outstanding contribution was Sea turtle monitoring activities recognised in 2017 when TurtleCare under the TurtleCare program are Sunshine Coast was selected authorised through permits issued as a finalist for the Healthy by Queensland Government’s Turtle Land and Water Government Conservation Project (QTCP) under Stewardship Award. the Nature Conservation Act 1992 to individual TurtleCare volunteers. To be authorised, volunteers have to demonstrate adequate skills during a week-long training at Mon Repos Conservation park and in annual training sessions delivered under the TurtleCare program. Accredited volunteers also have permission to undertake management

102 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 4TH AUSTRALIAN MARINE TURTLE SYMPOSIUM POSTERS Use of environmental enrichment devices for improved welfare of hospitalised turtles

AUTHOR Consideration of current Rebecca Burrie scientific knowledge regarding Rebecca Diggins the normal habitats, diet and Ellen Arie behaviour of green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) must be taken Jaime Kay into consideration with regards to Jaime Olsen the welfare (and its measurement) Sarah Tillson of hospitalised turtles. Amanda Pettett-Willmet The aim of the presentation is to Greg Hemming improve the understanding of the Janice Lloyd requirements of hospitalised sea turtles for environmental stimulation James Cook University, and how to design effective College of Public Health, environmental enrichment devices Medical and Veterinary Sciences, Townsville, Queensland, 4811 for turtles in rehabilitation. This presentation reveals that turtles: CONTACT DETAILS communicate through sound, [email protected] engage in play behaviour, may have extensive long-term memory, can be trained via associative learning, have spatial learning capacity, the ability to learn from conspecifics, and have at least basic affective states. It is therefore apparent that environmental enrichment devices are designed with these points in mind in order to improve the welfare of hospitalised turtles and aid in their speedier recovery. Several approaches to the design of such devices are suggested.

10-8 SEPTEMBER 2018 103 POSTERS Temperature and hydric cues for Flatback (Natator depressus) nesting transition

AUTHOR Studies are predicting how various In this study, we will attempt to Ella-Monique Mason climatic processes will affect their determine the relationship between Betty Franklin nesting grounds. However, there nest temperature, relative nest Daniel Costa is very little study invested into humidity and nesting habit. What is understanding the affect climate the trigger that stops female nesters Daniel Jarman change will have on the nesting from body pitting and commencing Mick Guinea process. As ectotherms, sea the egg chamber and thereafter Andrew Raith turtles are strongly influenced laying? Is it the sand temperature by environmental temperatures and moisture content of the sand? AusTurtle, Ludmilla NT 0820 (Fuentes, et al. 2010). On average Nesting beaches will be patrolled CONTACT DETAILS flatback turtle (Natator depressus) 2 hours either side of high tide [email protected] nests are a depth of 50cm. The for 30 days (31 July-30 August). nesting female will crawl up the Nesting females will be timed beach above the high tide mark once body pitting has commenced to the slope and or base of the and until the nesting female has sand dunes and begin to body pit. completed nesting. Furthermore, Followed by an egg chamber, laying temperature and relative moisture her eggs, filling in the nest with loose will be measured on completion of sand and returning to the beach. body pit, commencement of egg The nesting process takes up to an chamber and commencement of average of 50 minutes. Typically, egg laying. Increased temperature is longer on cooler nights and quicker perceived to cause the most impact in more temperate conditions to sea turtles. Will an increase (Hewavisenthi & Parmenter, 2002). in temperature and decrease in relative humidity create deeper N. depressus nests?

104 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 4TH AUSTRALIAN MARINE TURTLE SYMPOSIUM POSTERS TurtleCare activity at Bokarina Beach, Sunshine Coast

AUTHOR Bokarina Beach on Queensland’s Claudia Sheils Sunshine Coast is monitored daily by Trish Sheils TurtleCare volunteers. TurtleCare is Myrl Allison a volunteer program supported by Sunshine Coast Council. Keith Allison Pictures taken on Bokarina Beach TurtleCare Sunshine Coast Council, over many years are collated in Sunshine Coast, QLD 4560 a book which will be presented. CONTACT DETAILS Pictures include hatchlings on their [email protected] way to the water, information on fox predation, kites circling and predating on a hatchling in the water, and volunteer activities such as nest excavations. A video display shows TurtleCare volunteer training at Mon Repos, including Dr. Col Limpus doing an ultrasound on a turtle having trouble nesting.

10-8 SEPTEMBER 2018 105 106 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 4TH AUSTRALIAN MARINE TURTLE SYMPOSIUM 4TH AUSTRALIAN MARINE TURTLE SYMPOSIUM WORKSHOPS

WORKSHOP TWO INDIGENOUS WORKSHOP THREE WORKSHOP ONE RANGERS MOVEMENT WORKSHOP FOUR LIGHTING ISSUES TALKING CIRCLE AND METADATA STABLE ISOTOPE

WORKSHOP SEVEN AUSTRALIAN WORKSHOP FIVE MARINE TURTLE MONITORING WORKSHOP SIX SYMPOSIUM TECHNOLOGY MARINE DEBRIS FUTURE PLANNING

10-8 SEPTEMBER 2018 107 WORKSHOP ONE Lighting Issues Workshop

FACILITATORS: Light pollution was recognised as a Several comments specified that Kellie Pendoley1 high risk threat to marine turtles in the release of the Guidelines Karen Arthur2 the Recovery Plan for Marine Turtles should be fast tracked and their Catherine Bell1 in Australia (2017) because artificial contents enforceable. Emissions light can disrupt critical behaviours from ports and vessels, the myth 1Pendoley Environmental Pty Ltd, such as nesting and hatchling of turtle friendly lighting and the Perth, Western Australia, 6154 dispersal. The development of light issue of cumulative light and human 2Migratory Species Section, pollution guidelines was identified safety need to be considered. Department of Environment as a high priority action to address Specifically, it was suggested that and Energy, Canberra, Australian this threat. Artificial light can prescriptive limits should be placed Capital Territory, 2601 also disorient flying seabirds and on building heights; light and ATTENDANCE subsequently cause their death biological monitoring should be 200 delegates through collision with infrastructure, required at the application phase; and grounding and subsequent and management or elimination The Department of the Environment starvation. The impact of light on of lit signage at night-time should and Energy is developing draft light migratory shorebirds is less clear. be considered. Suggestions to pollution guidelines for marine One of the aims of the guidelines manage existing fixtures and newly turtles, seabirds and migratory will be to synthesise existing fitted LEDs to reduce brightness shorebirds. During development information to assess whether were volunteered and included: of the Guidelines, the Department light is detrimental for any of the the creation and maintenance of of the Environment and Energy is migratory shorebirds. vegetation screens, use of motion consulting broadly to determine sensors and filters and flashing or stakeholder and end user needs. The guidelines will identify light intermittent lights. This workshop was intended scenarios likely to adversely to provide a background to the affect marine turtles, seabirds The outcomes of the workshop development of the guidelines, an and migratory shorebirds and included general agreement in overview of what they will contain provide a suite of tools including the need for the Guidelines and and a discussion of end-user needs, types of luminaries and smart a number of current examples and contemporary examples of lighting technologies that can be where guidance could assist in the where good light management is used to mitigate these impacts. immediate management of marine needed or has been achieved. The guidelines will address the turtle nesting habitat. It was noted conflicting advice around “turtle that careful consideration should friendly” lights that are currently be given to the development of on the market, but which may not educational materials to be rolled mitigate light impacts on turtles. out in conjunction with the guidelines. The Guidelines were well supported at the workshop. Attendees, The draft guidelines are expected including concerned residents, to available in early 2019. council workers, turtle experts and members of the local business community had a high level of awareness in the issues that surround light pollution.

108 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 4TH AUSTRALIAN MARINE TURTLE SYMPOSIUM WORKSHOP TWO Indigenous Rangers Talking Circle

COMPILER: INTRODUCTION We have to shift our focus within Dean Mathews Originally the program listed the our current approach, there has to (on behalf of those groups in attendance) facilitators of the talking circle as: be acknowledgement at a national, ● Chris Hannocks (Ranger regional and local community Kimberley Indigenous Saltwater Coordinator Mapoon Land level that Indigenous people Advisory Group, Broome, WA, 6725 & Sea Rangers), play important role in the long- PARTICIPATING INDIGENOUS GROUPS ● Ric Fennessy (Tarebilang term sustainable management Anindilyakwa Land & Sea Cultural Aboriginal Corporation) and protection of sea country as Rangers, Bardi Jawi Rangers KLC, ● Dean Mathews (Nyamba landowners, resource users and Butchulla Land & Sea Rangers, Buru Yawuru). managers that have customary laws, Dambimangari Aboriginal values and belief systems that are One of the Co-Facilitators from Corporation, Gidarjil Development tied to migratory species such as the Tarebilang Bunda TO, Gidarjil Corporation, Girringun Aboriginal turtle and dugong. Corporation, Larrakia Nation Development Corporation felt it Aboriginal Corporation, Mapoon was not right for himself to be We need to find intellectual Land & Sea Centre, Mer Gedkem leading the discussion as he did not common ground between the Le Corporation, Nyamba Buru identify as a Traditional Owner (TO), biological science, social science Yawuru, Raine Island Recovery he stood aside for a TO Desmond and indigenous ecological Project, Tarebilang Cultural Purcell (Tarebilang Bunda TO, knowledge communities, we have Aboriginal Corporation, Torres Gidarjil Development Corporation) to stem away from getting bogged Strait Regional Authority, who introduced himself and down on contesting and diverging Traditional Land and Sea Owners welcomed the other Indigenous from what we think is right or Corporation, Turtle Oblonga Groups to the circle. wrong. Learn about where each other is coming from to gain a better Rescue and Rehabilitation Facilitators went over some understanding of each other’s views Network, Ugar Ged Kem Le of the issues raised by TO’s in through the different lenses of how Thursday Island, WCTTAA Cape attendance at the 3rd Australian we look at and see things through York, Wuthathi Traditional Turtle Symposium in Darwin in the interconnectedness rather Owners, Yintjingga Aboriginal August 2016. Corporation. just specific, Indigenous people The TO’s in attendance commented interconnected to the country that yes, some of the issues through customary law and discussed are still relevant however culture as one. there had not been many Indigenous For Indigenous management Rangers from Queensland at the of sustainable harvesting to 3rd Symposium and as it was over work it will require a high level of 2 years since the 3rd Symposium cooperation between the harvesters maybe this talk should focus of wildlife, biological scientist, social on this Symposium. scientist and institutional reform of the policy makers at National, State and community levels.

10-8 SEPTEMBER 2018 109 WORKSHOP TWO Indigenous Rangers Talking Circle CONTINUED

ACKNOWLEDGMENT & ENGAGEMENT ● These protocols are not as ● Native Title is a strength The circle acknowledged some good evident here in Queensland (QLD) for engagement. presentations at the Symposium as they are in Western Australia ● Butchulla representative – we that they aspire to – for example (WA). WA have developed a agree, we need more say when it in the Solomon Islands where TO’s TO engagement protocol for comes to coastal development. are actively taking ownership of researchers to follow when Our Elders stopped research on research, thinking strategically and applying to undertake marine K’gari until researchers came to building their own habitat mapping, research. The research has to the table. having input into all aspects of the be collaborative, has to involve research and working alongside the TO community and also has ● The WCTTAA (Western Cape researchers. to come back and inform the Turtle Threat Abatement community of the results. Alliance) which is an agreement ● Participants commented There still seems to be a long between land and sea managers that while presenters were way to go in QLD – there still from Pormpuraaw, Napranum, acknowledging TO’s from where seems to be a gap between Mapoon and Northern Peninsula the symposium was being research and community. Area to work together for the held, not all presentations protection of marine turtles along acknowledged the TO’s from ● Traditional Owners should be the west coast of Cape York, has where their research was consulted and engaged. It should been very good and has really undertaken. They were not not just be about ticking boxes. helped us. It is good to be able acknowledging TO’s from the A participant gave an example of to sit down and have discussions land or sea country where when he was on a research trip so that everyone understands the study was done. Proper to Raine Island and said he was each other. acknowledgement should be in not a TO from that region, the the protocol for all symposiums. researcher said, “it’s ok we just ● There was an alliance that looked have to tick that box”. at land and sea issues across ● It is not right to talk of other Northern Australia around people’s country without ● Collaborative partnerships with 2008. A consultant came to acknowledgment. tertiary and research institutions investigate what is preventing are important, however TO’s from being able to manage institutions must acknowledge on- species that are culturally ground rangers – their knowledge important to them and at the and the work that they do plays workshop it was evident that an important role in species the Commonwealth government conservation. In the past there have no strong mandate. A strong have been huge gaps and there message needs to be sent to the are still road blocks to Indigenous Commonwealth government participation in research. that TO’s need to be consulted ● The sharing of both positive and more. Aboriginal groups need to negative issues is necessary to gather info to give to Aboriginal feed up into the framework for representatives in government. managing turtle species.

110 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 4TH AUSTRALIAN MARINE TURTLE SYMPOSIUM SPIRIT SCIENCE

CULTURE PLANS

HEART AGREEMENTS

● A participant gave an example INDIGENOUS HUNTING/TAKE ● There needs to be a about people doing things on ● After seeing that presentation strong mandate from the country and some discrepancies (Indigenous take presentation) Commonwealth Department of with permits (he spoke with there is still obviously the Environment, Commonwealth fisheries about his own permit assumption that Indigenous agencies such as the migratory and they said it wasn’t necessary, hunting/take is not sustainable. species branch, that agencies and when he saw someone long We need to send a strong need to work more towards a lining and contacted fisheries message that TO’s are still holistic and inclusive collaborative they said don’t worry, we know being prevented from approach that recognises that him, but he knew it wasn’t managing these species. indigenous people are the end this person’s country). There user. Indigenous people have ● I feel like that presenter took a needs to be some changes and rights to the take of migratory shot at us. We were given no time improvements, there are many species such Turtle and Dugong to question or clarify anything people coming on to our country so therefore play a crucially after presentations. We live in the to do different things, scientists important role and should overlap of 2 worlds – the world going through and a lot of data be engaged in any discussion that is our spirit, our culture, being gathered. It is cultural regarding the discussion our heart and the world that is respect that this is asked for regarding the management science, plans and agreements. and shared. We need to be protection. consulted with. ● The fact that people can GENERAL COMMENTS stand up and say that just ● A participant shared that they There is a difference between shows there is a problem. felt the rangers from his region LORE and LAW. Traditional Owners Marine turtle research must be aren’t allowed to implement have an obligation to protect inclusive and collaborative – we turtle monitoring themselves, marine turtles under their must work together. We are ALL that they are not trusted 10 cultural connection. looking to manage and look after years later. They have the skills these species. There needs to Members of the circle now, and the capacity, but they be recognition that TO’s have acknowledged that some of the still feel they are not trusted been managing species for younger community may be going to research themselves. This thousands of years. outside the customary law/take. makes them feel they are not respected in the departmental Traditional Owners should try to process. Their work needs marry science and cultural and to be acknowledged in State customary traditions. Traditional government. Owners feel targeted and ostracised sometimes. They want to be knowledge brokers, they have a strong cultural foundation and they want to work with science to maintain that cultural foundation.

10-8 SEPTEMBER 2018 111 WORKSHOP TWO Indigenous Rangers Talking Circle CONTINUED

PRESENTATIONS GENERAL COMMENTS A member of the talking circle ● I feel like that presenter took a It is so hard getting researchers to put forward the idea of having an shot at us. We were given no time realise, getting them to change Indigenous marine turtle symposium to question or clarify anything with representatives who have It doesn’t help that the government after presentations. We live in the stewardship of marine turtles from is always changing, and staff are overlap of two worlds – the world all over to attend. always changing – TO’s feel they are that is our spirit, our culture, constantly having to try and explain ● We would need to consider/think our heart and the world that is how they feel to new non-indigenous about the resources needed science, plans and agreements. personnel. It is tiring. to enable us to achieve that, ● The circle expressed extreme we need the scientific world to The Indigenous delegates concern and was upset about the advocate for us. participating felt strongly about portrayal of the dingo was in the how late in the day the Indigenous ● It is very important to involve K’gari presentation. They do not talking circle on the agenda on the community - in the Mapoon feel that the photo of the dingo day one of the program. community there are a lot of Wongari was explained correctly. stakeholders, TO’s, mining, Butchulla people consider People felt that it could have been parks etc. and it doesn’t happen Wongari a natural and important planned and managed a bit better as overnight but making sure part of the ecosystem and they there seemed to be some confusion everyone is involved has been are all strongly connected to amongst organising committee beneficial in the community. Wongari in our hearts, minds and Indigenous facilitators weather and spirits. The dingo is not a the talking circle was an opened ● Could work on a business pest animal. Engagement and up for all symposium attendees plan for Indigenous Symposium - consultation with TO’s about or was to be closed conversation This is who we are, this is what we this presentation would have amongst Indigenous Groups and can do etc. We can be a conduit highlighted this. representative bodies. Delegates between researchers and the felt that it was not a good idea to community. Try to form a good ● It all comes back to have the Indigenous talking circle indigenous governance model. acknowledgement of who we because of a comment that was are and where we come from ● What would you like to take made in a presentation early in the and sharing information. If to the Symposium now? program of Day one which stated presentations involved TO’s that Traditional Owner harvest Talking circle members agreed of the region the correct message was putting pressure of turtle they would like to mention: would be getting across. stocks by a researcher, Indigenous Development of ‘Guidelines for ● A comment made by several representatives felt Collaborative Knowledge work, Indigenous delegates on the that was very disrespectful especially alignment with a multi-evidence final day of the Symposium as we were there participating in based approach to support was that a good example of good faith. enhanced decision-making, the difference between WA VALUE OF TURTLE SYMPOSIUM policy and management for and QLD presentations was An hour for a talking circle is not Turtles and Dugong. “Community monitoring, enough time, particularly when the conservation and securing the ● Appropriate acknowledgement last Symposium was two years ago. future of flat back turtles in Port of Traditional owner aspirations Hedland, Western Australia” ● Cultural engagement protocols presented by Kelly Howlett. for researchers

112 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 4TH AUSTRALIAN MARINE TURTLE SYMPOSIUM ● Sharing is a positive thing ● Develop a cultural protocol for BEYOND THE SCOPE for everyone engagement with TO’s before, OF THIS WORKSHOP during and after research ● Building relationships and ● Presentations – the correct collaborative model between message ● Guidelines for Collaborative the Commonwealth Department Knowledge work, alignment Desmond Purcell and Dean of Environment (migratory with a multi-evidence based Mathews spoke to the non- species branch), states, territory approach to support enhanced indigenous symposium delegates and Traditional Owners and decision-making, policy and about the above points raised occupiers of saltwater country management for Turtles in the talking circle. that are currently implementing and Dugong. Commonwealth funded ● The delegates were invited to ● Explore the possibility of a management programs (eg. ask questions or make comments Traditional Owner Marine Turtle Healthcare Professionals (HCP) but there were none. Symposium to enable TO’s to and Indigenous Protected ● The delegates were invited a work towards actively taking Areas (IPA)). second time and the session was ownership of research and ● Indigenous representative at then ended by the symposium having input into all aspects the 2018 symposia call upon timekeeper. of turtle research. Future of the Commonwealth, state and the Australian marine turtle ANTICIPATED OUTCOMES territory governments that we are symposium will be a legacy of the ● Improved indigenous seeking a representative voice at 2018 symposia. participation and integration all levels within marine science of knowledge into marine turtle ● Nominated to continue having community to build capacity conservation and management an indigenous rep voice ensuring amongst indigenous groups across Northern Australia. that we play a part in future that facilitates and support Turtle Symposium to come. undertaking research and ● Collaborative multi sector monitoring in the management partnerships. ● Send a strong message to the of marine migratory species. Government and researchers ● Conservation of marine turtles that there is still a lack of ● Indigenous people play a big role relies on this strong science consultation with TO’s, and they in the discussion and planning base, how indigenous people are still being prevented from for the long-term management and industry can support also managing species. for the conservation of marine contributing to a significant role. turtles and dugongs. ● Share Western Australia Marine ● A strong marine science Science Institution (WAMSI) and ● Future funding of indigenous community government, Kimberley Indigenous Saltwater sea country managers aspirations industry, community groups, Science Project (KISSP) products will revolve on collaborative universities, and conservation with indigenous & Torres Strait multi sector partnerships. groups to share knowledge Island representatives. for enhanced conservation outcomes that undertakes and facilitates research and monitoring to support the management of marine wildlife.

10-8 SEPTEMBER 2018 113 WORKSHOP THREE Movement and Metadata Workshop

FACILITATORS INTRODUCTION Waayers et al. (In Press) Karen Arthur Marine turtles are highly migratory, recommended that a national Fiona Bartlett often travelling vast distances and metadata platform should be crossing jurisdictional boundaries. developed for all tag deployments Migratory Species Section, Department Understanding turtle movements that would set the framework for of Environment and Energy, Canberra, and habitat use across their large providing updated information as Australian Capital Territory, 2601 ranges requires data collection well as identify gaps in deployments over broad geographic scales and for each species. The authors also the incorporation of multiple tools recommended that satellite tracking including flipper tag recoveries, data should be integrated with genetics and satellite telemetry. complementary datasets including The Recovery Plan for Marine turtle dive profiles, oceanographic Turtles in Australia (2017) data, habitat variables, and genetic highlighted the need to improve and stable isotope analyses to better the identification of internesting understand species movements and areas, migratory corridors, foraging distributions. grounds, mating areas and hatchling The purpose of this workshop was to dispersal areas that are critical to begin a discussion around improving the survival of each marine turtle our understanding of how marine stock (DoEE, 2017). turtles use their environment and Dr David Waayers and 27 co-authors improve the geographic scale of (In Press) reviewed the metadata inference through collaborative for all marine turtle satellite projects and data sharing. The tracking data in Western Australia, workshop focused on movement Northern Territory and the Gulf of data including satellite telemetry, Carpentaria. The review identified a tag returns and inference from total of 622 satellite tags that were genetic studies. In the short deployed on marine turtles in this term, understanding the existing region from 1990 to 2016. It did not information (via a meta-database) include datasets from Queensland will allow for better project design where there are an additional in the future, including identifying 300+ deployments for this time data gaps, assessing whether period (Limpus pers comm.). The additional deployments are required deployments represented a wide at specific locations considering the range of data holders (including financial and ethical considerations research institutions, industry, of satellite tagging and whether government and non-government existing information can inform the organisations) and purposes for research/management question. obtaining the data.

114 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 4TH AUSTRALIAN MARINE TURTLE SYMPOSIUM DISCUSSION Seaturtle.org has traditionally been A further challenge raised was that During the workshop Dr Colin used to store marine turtle satellite data is often captured and stored in Limpus provided an overview tracking data, however, this site is different formats, however, it was of the now defunct CMS Marine reaching its capacity and doesn’t noted that there has been much Turtle Database, which stored and have the functionality to adequately progress towards the creation and provided geospatial visualisation of search for information, or share adoption of standards for data turtle nesting locations, abundance data. There was general agreement collected by telemetry and bio- and trends through time. He noted at the workshop that a suitable logging devices (see Campbell et al. the need for such a database to platform should be identified where 2016) and these could be adopted in be guided by turtle biologists and at-risk datasets could be secured Australia. not just those with information into the future. This platform should It was noted that there needed technology capabilities. Dr Limpus also provide a searchable metadata to be a clear mandate as to who also raised the question of how record, data sharing and preferably has access to data and for what many tags (flipper or satellite) geospatial analysis capabilities. The purpose. This could be achieved need to be deployed before the preferred platform should have a through data sharing agreements full extent of a species or stock good governance framework and be or data sharing capabilities distribution can be accurately supported by long-term funding. Dr within the data-sharing platform. described. It was noted that some Michele Thums presented the pros This highlights the need for work has already been undertaken and cons of three platform options good governance of the data to address this issue (see Borger et that had the ability to meet these sharing platform. The Australian al. 2006; Schofield et al 2013). needs: Zoatrack, Integrated Marine Government has oversight of Observing System (IMOS) Animal Many institutions currently have both Atlas of Living Australia Tracking Facility and development suitable and secure data storage (ALA) (custodian of Zoatrack) and of a custom option based on for tracking data. Where permits Australian Ocean Data Network GlobalArchive. These are outlined are required for research, the (AODN) (host of IMOS Animal in Table 1, which has been updated permitting agency often requires a Tracking Facility), so they would here with other platforms suggested copy of the final data as a condition be preferred options from this by workshop participants. of permit approval. Further, perspective. However, it is noted there are a number of existing The workshop identified a number that IMOS does not currently have collaborative projects that have of challenges associated with data data sharing capabilities. been undertaken or are underway sharing. First and foremost was the that are facilitated through data need for data to be embargoed until sharing agreements. There are the original purpose of the satellite also a number of small scale/ tracking project had been met. This independent programs with satellite was of particular concern for PhD tracking information that need to be candidates that need to have first secured into the future. option on data publication. Similarly, funding obligations need to be met before data is made available to other projects.

10-8 SEPTEMBER 2018 115 WORKSHOP THREE Movement and Metadata Workshop CONTINUED

CONCLUSIONS REFERENCES Waayers D, Tucker A, Whiting S, Groom There was general agreement that Borger L, Franconi N, De Michele G, R, Vanderklift M, Pillans R, Rossendell discussion of this issue needed to Gantz A, Meschi F, Manica A (2006) J, Pendoley K, Hoenner X, Thums M, continue beyond the Australian Effects of sampling regime on the Dethmers K, Limpus C, Wirsing A, Marine Turtle Symposium workshop. mean and variance of home range McMahon C, Strydom A, Whittock P, estimates. Journal of Animal Ecology Howlett K, Oades D, McFarlane G, Duke In the first instance, a location for 75:1393–1405 T, Guinea M, Whiting A, Speirs M, King storing “at risk” datasets (i.e. those J, Hattingh K, Heithaus M, Mau R and that are not currently housed as Campbell HA, Urbano F, Davidson Holley D (In Press) Satellite tracking of part of an active research program S, Dettki H and Cagnacci F (2016) A marine turtles in the south or those requiring secure storage plea for standards in reporting data eastern Indian Ocean: A review facility into the future) should be collected by animal‑borne electronic of deployments spanning identified. The storage location devices. Animal Biotelemetry 4: DOI 1990-2016. IOSEA Newsletter. should also act as a meta-database 10.1186/s40317-015-0096-x. to collate the existence of datasets. Department of the Environment Based on a comparison of and Energy (2017) The Recovery characteristics of platforms that are Plan for Marine Turtles in Australia. currently available (Table 1), it was The Australian Government. pp 146. agreed that Zoatrack and eAtlas Lennox RJ, Engler-Palma C, provided suitable data repositories Kowarski K, Filous A, Whitlock R and for at risk datasets. Whilst both Cooke S (In Press) Optimizing marine platforms were deemed suitable, spatial plans with animal tracking they have their own limitations. data. Canadian Journal of Fisheries Zoatrack currently only has the and Aquatic Science. ability to store satellite telemetry data and cannot link to other Schofield G, Dimadi A, Fossette S, associated data (eg stable isotope Katselidis KA, Koutsoubas D, Lilley samples), while eAtlas is currently MKS, Luckman A, Pantis JD, Karagouni limited to separate viewing portals AD, Hays GC (2013) Satellite tracking for the Great Barrier Reef and large numbers of individuals to Torres Strait, Northwest Atlas infer population level dispersal and Ningaloo Atlas. and core areas for the protection of an endangered species. Divers Distribution 19(7):834–844

116 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 4TH AUSTRALIAN MARINE TURTLE SYMPOSIUM TABLE 1: DATA PLATFORM OPTIONS DISCUSSED AT THE WORKSHOP THAT COULD BE USED FOR THE STORAGE AND SHARING OF MARINE TURTLE SATELLITE TRACKING DATA

Able to add Allows other data (genetics, Provides Metadata exploration of Data SIA samples, Australian Ongoing Open access Able to data sharing standard metadata and analysis publications Data platform based funding Custodian map view embargo data options (ISO) data tools etc) Yes. Also ALA with Yes or no Can be discoverable Scientific Zoatrack (set by data refreshed via ALA   steering     owner) annually (presented as committee occurrences) Limited. eAtlas Secure. Access is [GBR, it’s Aust Govt, Yes, but map via contact catchments, Qld Govt, has to be the Wet with data Limited   GBRF, BoM, provided by     Tropics and owner CSIRO, AIMS data owner the Torres or open Strait] access option IMOS Animal Yes, but No. mandatory Embargo Tracking   AODN Mandatory     Facility open access or open after 4 years access only Custom built platform based on GlobalArchive   TBD        (hosted on AODN) NA (data are Yes, but Seaturtle.org Seaturtle.org inaccessible no open Unknown Limited Limited   Inc.   to users) access SWOT sea turtle telemetry data No but OBIS- likely as SEAMAP, - Project of the     Unknown  Limited  Census of Marine part of Duke CML University Life (CML) Wildlife Wildlife computers      Unknown    Portal computers

Max Planck Yes or no Movebank   Institute for (set by data   Unknown    Ornithology owner) Australian Marine Parks Science Atlas Parks   Australia        [visualisation portal]

AIMS: Australian Institute of Marine Science GBR: Great Barrier Reef ALA: Atlas of Living Australia GBRF: Great Barrier Reef Foundation AODN: Australian Ocean Data Network IMOS: Integrated Marine Observing System BoM: Bureau of Meteorology OBIS-SEAMAP: Ocean Biogeographical Information CML: Census of Marine Life System – Spatial Ecological Analysis of Megaverte- CSIRO: Commonwealth Science and Industrial )brate Populations (Duke University Research Organisation SWOT: The State of the World’s Sea Turtles

10-8 SEPTEMBER 2018 117 WORKSHOP FOUR Stable Isotope Workshop

FACILITATORS: WHAT ARE STABLE ISOTOPES? Similarly, by looking at the isotopic Mat Vanderklift1 An isotope is an atom of a given composition of tissue from different Karen Arthur2 element whose nuclei contains sized animals within a foraging the same number of protons, but Tony Tucker3 ground, conclusions can be drawn a different number of neutrons. about whether they change diet at 1CSIRO Oceans and Atmosphere, Radioactive isotopes are those that different life stages (Fry 2006). Crawley, WA 6009 are unstable and decay and were As most organisms feed on a 2 not considered in this workshop. Migratory Species Section, range of diet items, mixing models Department of Environment and Stable isotopes occur naturally and might be required to understand Energy, Canberra, Australian Capital predictably in the environment and how much of each food source Territory, 2601 can be used as a tracer because the contributes to tissue synthesis. 3Marine Science Program, Department heavy isotope of an element reacts These require the analysis of of Biodiversity, Conservation and the same way in a chemical reaction multiple elements as well as analysis Attractions, Kensington, WA 6151 as the lighter isotope, but at a of potential food types to build the slightly slower rate. This means that models (Phillips et al 2014). the ratio of heavy to light isotopes BACKGROUND can provide a distinctive signature as WHAT CAN ISOTOPES BE USED FOR? Stable isotope analysis can be a to where that element was derived. The isotopic composition of an powerful tool to understand the As a result of this, stable isotopes animal’s tissue is derived from that biology, ecology and physiology have become a popular tool to of its prey. Natural gradients exist of wild animals. Turtle ecologists understand ecological processes. in the marine environment that have embraced this technology to Isotopes of carbon, nitrogen, allow for inferences about where, address questions ranging from sulphur and oxygen are most or on what, a turtle is feeding habitat use to diet and migration commonly used in marine turtle (δ13C and δ34S) and its relative (Pearson et al 2017). Stable isotope studies (Fry 2006). position in the food web (δ15N). analysis — especially analysis of More depleted δ13C values usually As the nutrients that make up ‘bulk’ stable isotopes (see below) represent diet items that originate an animal’s tissues are generally — can also provide a relatively from a more pelagic environment, obtained from diet, stable isotopic cheap complementary tool to more whereas benthic pathways tend to composition of carbon, nitrogen expensive monitoring techniques be enriched in 13C. Similarly, δ15N and sulphur in tissue can be used to such as satellite telemetry (Seminoff tends to be enriched in 15N at infer what a turtle is eating or where et al 2012). higher trophic levels in a food web it has been feeding. Depending on (but is also influenced by the source The purpose of this workshop was the tissue sampled, inferences can of nitrogen at the base of the food to provide an accessible summary be made over short or long time web). δ34S of sulphate in seawater about what stable isotope analysis scales. For example, red blood cells differs from that of sulphide in is; the types of questions that can turnover quickly and therefore sediment, allowing distinction be answered using stable isotope represent recent foraging, whereas between marine plants with roots analysis (and what can’t); and to skin turns over more slowly giving a (like seagrass) and those without highlight some key principles window into foraging across weeks (like algae). around its use in marine turtle to months and carapace (which research and monitoring. is inert, and doesn’t turnover at all) can give a historic timeframe.

118 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 4TH AUSTRALIAN MARINE TURTLE SYMPOSIUM Isotopic composition of tissues will different isotopic values. Depending patterns of isotopic discrimination reflect information about where on the composition of the tissue within these groups (Larsen et al a turtle has been foraging. When this could affect bulk tissue isotopic 2009). Using this technique, it was tissue samples are obtained from composition, but can also be used identified that herbivorous green nesting females, inferences can to explain unexpected results turtles likely receive nutritional be made about the location and in bulk isotopic composition. supplementation from bacterial suitability of their foraging grounds. For example protein, the major symbionts in their digestive tract For instance, an assessment of component of blood, skin and (Arthur et al 2014). This study reproductive output compared muscle is made up of individual provides a cautionary tale for the with likely foraging grounds can amino acids. Some amino acids stable isotope researcher — be sure provide insight into foraging ground can be highly enriched in 15N you know what you are measuring! function, or understanding of during metabolism and thus give TAKE HOME MESSAGES whether a particular foraging region trophic level information, whereas FROM PANEL DISCUSSION is more highly represented in a others remain unchanged from ● Stable isotope analysis is can be nesting cohort. diet, providing information about a powerful tool especially when the nitrogen isotopic composition Stable isotopes of other elements, used in conjunction with other at the base of the food web (for like δ18O or δ2H, are also monitoring techniques such as review see Ishikawa 2018). This influenced by water. They are capture-mark-recapture studies, concept was applied to leatherback therefore often used to study large satellite telemetry, diet analysis turtles nesting in Indonesia and geographical gradients, and the and CSIA. feeding across the Pacific. Using migration of animals from place ● Stable isotope analysis is a CSIA allowed better interpretation to place. They are not well-suited relatively cheap tool and a great of bulk δ15N observations that, to study diet; conversely, because way to scale up more expensive when considered in concert with stable isotopes of carbon, nitrogen tracking such as satellite bulk tissue isotope analysis and and sulphur originate from diet, telemetry. When deploying satellite telemetry, elucidated they are not usually well suited to satellite transmitters, please also what proportion of the nesting study geographical gradients. take a tissue sample (or multiple) population was foraging in each for future isotopic analysis. COMPOUND SPECIFIC bio-region of the Pacific. These ● Know your baseline! Isotopic STABLE ISOTOPE ANALYSIS (CSIA) conclusions could not have been composition of bulk tissue may Bulk tissue (e.g. skin, blood, drawn using satellite tracking, bulk represent multiple sources of an carapace) stable isotope analysis isotope analysis or CSIA amino acid element (e.g. diet) and these may — in which all atoms of an element techniques alone. It was only when vary in time and space. present in a tissue sample are all tools were used in concert that a ● Think about the physiology pooled together for analysis — is clear management imperative was of the tissue that you sample. most commonly used to infer identified (Seminoff et al 2012). ● Understand the models you ecological traits in marine turtles. Carbon isotopic fingerprinting are using: garbage in means However, bulk tissue is made up of essential amino acids can garbage out. of a range of components (e.g. establish the biosynthetic origin of ● Test your theory with protein, keratin, lipids etc.), which carbon found in bulk tissue. This is other practitioners before in turn are built from individual because plants, bacteria and fungi starting work. compounds. These compounds have highly conserved modes of undergo different reactions carbon acquisition and amino acid during metabolism, which result in biosynthesis that lead to distinct

10-8 SEPTEMBER 2018 119 WORKSHOP FOUR Stable Isotope Workshop CONTINUED

REFERENCES Fry, B (2006) Stable Isotope Seminoff JA, Benson SR, Arthur KE, Arthur KE, Kelez S, Larsen T, Ecology. Springer. New York Ishikawa Eguchi T, Dutton PH, Tapilatu RF Choy CA and Popp BN (2014) NF (2018) Use of compound-specific and Popp BN (2012) Stable Isotope Tracing the biosynthetic source nitrogen isotope analysis of amino Tracking of Endangered Sea Turtles: of essential amino acids in marine acids in trophic ecology: Assumptions, Validation with Satellite Telemetry and turtles using 13C fingerprints. Ecology applications, and implications. δ15N Analysis of Amino Acids. PLoS 95: 1285-1293 Ecological Research. DOI 10.1007/ ONE 7: e37403 s11284-018-1616-y Boecklen, WJ, Yarnes, CT, Cook, Vander Zanden, HB, Bjorndal, KA, BA and James, AC (2011) On the use Larsen T, Taylor DL, Leigh MB and Mustin, W, Ponciano, JM, Bolten, of stable isotopes in trophic ecology. O’Brien DM (2009) Stable isotope AB (2012) Inherent variation in stable Annual Review of Ecology, Evolution fingerprinting: a novel method for isotope values and discrimination and Systematics. 42:411-440 identifying plant, fungal, or bacterial factors in two life stages of green origins of amino acids. Ecology 90: turtles. Physiological and Biochemical del Rio, CM, Wolf, N, Carleton, 3526-3535 Zoology. 85(5):431-441 SA and Gannes, LZ (2009) Isotopic ecology ten years after a call for more Pearson RM, Van de Merwe J, Wallace, BP, Seminoff, JA, Kilham, laboratory experiments. Biological Limpus CJ and Connolly RM (2017) SS, Spotila, JR and Dutton, PH (2006) Reviews. 84:91-111 Realignment of sea turtle isotope Leatherback turtles as oceanographic studies needed to match conservation indicators: stable isotope analyses Fleming AH, Kellar NM, Allen CD priorities. Marine Ecology Progress reveal a trophic dichotomy between and Kurle CM (2018) The utility of Series 583: 259-271 ocean basins. Marine Biology. combining stable isotope and hormone 149:953-960 analyses for marine megafauna Phillips DL, Inger R, Bearhop S, Jackson research. Frontiers in Marine Science A, Moore JW, Parnell AC, Semmens doi:10.3389/fmars.2018.00338. BX, Ward EJ (2014) Best practices for use of stable isotope mixing models in food-web studies. Canadian Journal of Zoology 92(10): 823-835 Reich, KJ, Bjorndal, KA and Bolten, AB (2007) The ‘lost years’ of green turtles: using stable isotopes to study cryptic lifestages. Biology Letters. 3(712-714) Rubenstein, DR and Hobson, KA (2004) From birds to butterflies: animal movement patterns and stable isotopes. Trends in Ecology and Evolution. 19(5):256-263

120 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 4TH AUSTRALIAN MARINE TURTLE SYMPOSIUM WORKSHOP FIVE Monitoring Technology Workshop

FACILITATORS: Session 2: Introduction to FUTURE RECOMMENDATIONS Paul Whittock1 Unmanned Aerial Vehicles FOR THIS TOPIC OR OTHERWISE Andrew Dunstan2 (UAVs), considerations prior Session 1: Introduction to satellite tracking and emerging Kevin Lay3 to use, and future direction tracking technologies ● Introduced the design of different 1Pendoley Environmental Pty Ltd, types of UAV (multi-rotor, fixed A satellite tracking workshop of 12a Pitt Way, Booragoon, wing, hybrid) and their controls some kind is generally well-attended WA 6154, Australia (both hardware and software), at these meetings. The topic has 2Department of Environment and the different types of data rightly varied from year to year and Science, Brisbane QLD 4001 that can be captured. and has covered technology, 3 Wildlife Computers, tags, sensors, data management ● Provided an overview of what 8310 154th Ave NE Suite 150, and attachments. Redmond, WA 98052, USA should be considered prior to NUMBER OF ATTENDEES: deciding on the use of a UAV to Session 2: Introduction to 80 – 100 delegates answer a research question or Unmanned Aerial Vehicles as a general monitoring tool. (UAVs), considerations prior This included whether there are to use, and future direction alternatives to UAVs, what the SUMMARY OF OUTCOMES Lower prices and improved effect on the study animal could Session 1: Introduction to capabilities of commercial, off- be, the limitations with detection satellite tracking and emerging the-shelf UAVs has resulted in of activity, whether the flight is tracking technologies huge growth in the use of UAVs by safe and legal, how the flight plan ● researchers and conservationists. Argos is currently the only viable should be designed, and how the However, with the growth in use option for satellite tracking sea large volume of captured data comes a concurrent growth in turtles during migration due to is processed. short surfacing times. acquired data, and future topics ● Location accuracy and volume ● Highlighted current uses of UAVs could focus on best practice for can be greatly enhanced by using in marine turtle conservation managing and processing this data. Fast-acquisition GPS technology. around Australia. This included ● IOT, Iridium and Icarus may be multiple contributions from suitable in the future but that researchers, NGOs and is entirely dependent upon sea consultants involved with onshore turtle surfacing behavior. (track census for abundance ● Argos satellite tracking prices estimate, 3D modelling of beaches, have decreased by about 33% surveillance of poaching), and in the past year. offshore (habitat assessment, behavior study, abundance estimate) marine turtle research.

● Future directions were discussed, with the main focus on data automation using machine learning, and remote operated flights using UAVs that automatically launch, land and recharge.

10-8 SEPTEMBER 2018 121 WORKSHOP SIX Marine Debris Workshop

FACILITATORS: PURPOSE OF THE MEETING Dietary dilution is another sub- Kathy Townsend1 To update workshop participants lethal impact in which ingested Daniel Gonzalez2 on multiple aspects of the impact marine debris can reduce the of marine debris on sea turtles. Mark Hamann3 fitness of individual sea turtles. The The workshop covered an overview 4 foreign objects make the individual Col Limpus of marine debris selectivity in sea feel “full”, without providing any 1University of the Sunshine Coast, turtles in Australia and Uruguay, nutritional benefit. This is impact is School of Science and Engineering, discussed standardized survey very common in sea birds, who often Hervey Bay, QLD, 4655 techniques and introduced the AMDI mistakenly feed marine debris to 2College of Science and Engineering, database, provided an introduction their chicks. and canvased interest of the global James Cook University, Townsville, Lethal impacts include gut Queensland, 4811 initiative to quantify micro debris perforation, where the object 3 in nesting beaches. The workshop School of Earth and Environmental ingested is sharp and perforates concluded with a brief overview of Sciences, James Cook University, the gut wall. The gut contents then Townsville, QLD 4811 marine debris work being done via spill into the gastrointestinal cavity, 4 Col Limpus’ team. Aquatic Species Program, Queensland causing the animal to die due to Department of Environment and SUMMARY OF OUTCOMES complications caused by septicemia. Science, Dutton Park, QLD 4102 1. Marine debris selectivity There are also potential toxic of sea turtles in Australia. effects caused by the ingestion of NUMBER OF ATTENDEES: plastic polymers, which have been Sea turtles have a range of 150 Delegates shown to have the ability to absorb behavioral and physiological and release a wide range of toxic characteristics that make them chemicals, including PoP’s, dioxins, susceptible to marine debris and trace elements. This is currently ingestion. They are visual predators an area of focused research, as that actively explore their it is difficult to make the direct environment by “mouthing” objects. connection between the ingestion They also have downward facing of plastic polymers and toxin levels spines in their throat, which makes it present in the body. Finally, all difficult for the group to regurgitate. reptiles, including sea turtles, are The impacts of ingestion by a sea highly susceptible to gut impaction turtle are both sub-lethal and lethal. if foreign material is ingested. Gut In many instances, the ingestion of impaction, another lethal impact, the debris is benign, with the foreign prevents food from moving freely object passing freely through the through the gastrointestinal system. gut. This is very common in large, In severe cases the gut becomes sexually mature sea turtles that have neritic, preventing the food from a relatively larger gastrointestinal being digested. diameter, reducing the probability that the ingested debris can have a physiological effect.

122 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 4TH AUSTRALIAN MARINE TURTLE SYMPOSIUM The trapped organic material then A recent publication (presented at 2. Worldwide hot spots for starts to decompose, generating the symposium) calculated out the plastic ingestion. The case gases and causing the animal Lethal Dose curve for sea turtles of the Uruguayan waters. to become positively buoyant, a that had ingested marine debris. The Uruguayan waters are symptom commonly known as It was found that there was a 50% considered as a key foraging and “floating syndrome”*. In these cases, probability of a juvenile sea turtle development area for marine turtles the animals are severely dehydrated dying having ingested 14 pieces of in the Southwestern Atlantic Ocean. and slowly starve to death due to an plastic. More disturbingly, there In particular, these waters host inability to absorb nutrients or water was a 22% probability of mortality a mixed stock of early juveniles via its compromised gastrointestinal if a single piece was consumed (mean CCL=40.1±7.2 cm) of green system. (Wilcox et al 2018). sea turtles (Chelonia mydas), Multiple studies have been Further studies investigated why feeding mainly on macroalgae and conducted investing the selectivity sea turtles and sea birds consume gelatinous macrozooplankton (Velez- preferences of different kinds of marine debris. Many items that Rubio et al. 2016). Nevertheless, this debris across a range of sea turtle are consumed mimic their natural population is facing considerable age groups. In Australia, neonates prey items, such as jellyfish and levels of plastic pollution at present (Iost years) showed a significant red arrow squids. However, other (Gonzalez-Carman et al. 2014). preference for film-like plastics visual properties are also “tricking” The analysis of 96 freshly dead (plastic bags, food wrap, etc), the animals to consume marine stranded green turtles from balloons, and small pieces debris. These include the texture 2005 to 2013, showed 70% of the (<2cm) of hard plastics. While (flexibility), translucency, contrast to individuals presented plastics in benthic feeding juveniles background, colour, and luminance their guts. Moreover, the blockage had a preference for film-like (Schuyler et al 2014a). of the digestive tract by plastics and plastics and balloons (Schuyler et al The likelihood of a green sea the consequently starvation was 2012 and 2014a). turtle ingesting marine debris has determinated as the cause of death doubled since 1985 and it has been for 27% of these turtles (Velez-Rubio estimated that at least 50% of the et al. 2018). Hence, plastic ingestion world’s sea turtles have consumed represents a major threat to this marine debris (Schuyler et al 2016). stock population, causing injury and The problem is large and it is global. severe health problems, or even Let’s do something about it! death. However, the magnitude of plastic pollution hazard for this sea *Note, that there are multiple causes turtle population remains unclear. for floating syndrome, including a parasitic infection caused by blood flukes such as Neospirorchis spp. (Digenea: Spirorchiidae) (Santoro et al 2017, Stacey et al 2017).

10-8 SEPTEMBER 2018 123 WORKSHOP SIX Marine Debris Workshop continued

Quantifying the impacts and Community groups that are 4. Micro-debris surveys mapping hot spots for plastic interested in undergoing regular at nesting sites ingestion become essential for marine debris surveys should be Brendan Godley from the University the effective design of mitigation aware of the Australian Marine of Exeter is spearheading a global strategies. Through the combined Debris Initiative (AMDI) https:// initiative, investigating the impact of study of (1) drift trajectories and www.tangaroablue.org/amdi/amdi- micro-debris on sea turtle nesting dynamics of plastic debris and (2) program.html. Started and managed beaches. Through networks such the migratory patterns and uses by the Tangaroa Blue Foundation, as the Australian Marine Turtle of habitat of marine turtles would the AMDI has a broad range of aims, Symposium, participants are then allow us to improve our including organizing beach clean requested to collect a known volume understanding of the impact levels up events, on-going marine debris of sand and post it to a local lab of plastic pollution on sea turtles monitoring programs, presentations (potential Mark at JCU and/or Kathy and the mechanisms and factors and training workshops, education at USC) for micro-plastic analysis. involved in the process. resources and clean up materials, The aim of the project is to create CyberTracking and data collection 3. Standardized survey a risk assessment of micro-plastics training, and most importantly, they techniques and introduced impacts at a global scale. maintain the Australian the AMDI database Marine Debris Database. Workshop participants were invited Sea turtles found stranded on to provide their name, organization The Australian Marine Debris Australian shores are interacting and email if they were interested Database is based on standardized with marine debris locally, within in participating in the initiative. methodology, which is directly 250km of where the sea turtle was Physical kits will be mailed out once comparable across Australia. found stranded (Schuyler et al permit restrictions and methodology This high-quality data is stored in 2014b). Studies have also shown standards have been finalized. a minable database, which has that 80% of the marine debris is Twenty-nine participants signed up been utilized by multiple scientific land based. Delegates at this marine to receive information and to be organizations, including universities turtle symposium work on beaches kept up to date on the progress of and CSIRO. There is a full online all around Australia. Do you know if the initiative. training module, data sheets, your local beaches are a source or and access to clean up materials. 5. Overview of marine a sink of marine debris? What kind Representatives from Tangaroa Blue debris work being done of debris is commonly found there? are also willing to come and give via Col Limpus’s team Do you participate in local clean ups, training to your local group. If your but do not record what you throw Dr Col Limpus started his session group is considering undergoing away? This data is extremely useful by making a statement that marine marine debris surveys on your and can be used to help support debris is potentially affecting 100% of local beach, this methodology is legislative and social change. sea turtles, across all stages of their highly recommended if you wish to life cycle. He then went on to provide contribute in a real way towards a an overview of the information national project. collected from sea turtles caught For more information go to as by-catch in long line fisheries in https://www.tangaroablue.org/ Australian waters and cautioned against making assumptions regarding causes of death without lab-based clinical pathology.

124 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 4TH AUSTRALIAN MARINE TURTLE SYMPOSIUM FUTURE RECOMMENDATIONS Schuyler, Q, Hardesty, BD, Wilcox, Sul, Jennifer L. Lavers, Bojan Lazar, FOR THIS TOPIC OR OTHERWISE C and Townsend, K.A. (2012) “To eat Laurent Lebreton, Wallace J. Nichols, Marine debris is a global issue, or not to eat? Debris selectivity by Christine A. Ribic, Peter G. Ryan, which needs to be tackled at the marine turtles” PLoS ONE 7(7): e40884. Qamar A. Schuyler, Stephen D.A. Smith, local level. Beach clean ups will only doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0040884 Hideshige Takada, Kathy A.Townsend, go so far in reducing the impact Colette C.C. Wabnitz, Chris Wilcox, Schuyler, Q.A., Wilcox, C., Townsend, of marine debris on sea turtles. It Lindsay C. Young, Mark Hamann K.A., Hardesty, D.B., and Marshall, requires a multipronged approach (2014) “Global research priorities to J.N. (2014a). “Mistaken identity? through: 1) the reduction of single mitigate plastic pollution impacts on Visual similarities of marine debris use plastic use and manufacturing, marine wildlife” Endangered Species to natural prey items of sea turtles.” 2) reduction of debris washing into Research 25: 225-247 BMC Ecology, 14:14.1-14.7 DOI: the marine environment, 3) public 10.1186/1472-6785-14-14 Vélez-Rubio, G. M., Cardona, L., awareness and education of the López-Mendilaharsu, M., Souza, G. M., downstream effect of man-made Schuyler, Q, Hardesty, BD, Wilcox, Carranza, A., González-Paredes, D., & generated waste, 4) legislative C, Townsend, K.A. (2014b) “Global Tomás, J. (2016). Ontogenetic dietary change to reduce the availability of Analysis of Anthropogenic Debris changes of green turtles (Chelonia those items that cause the biggest Ingestion by Sea Turtles” Conservation mydas) in the temperate southwestern impact and, 5) monitoring and Biology. 28 1: 129-139 doi: 10.1111/ Atlantic. Marine biology, 163(3), analyzing the change in the type and cobi.12126 57. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227- quantity of marine debris available Schuyler, Q.A., Wilcox, C., Townsend, 016-2827-9 for sea turtles to interact with as K.A., Wedemeyer-Strombel, K.R., legislative and social changes occur. Vélez-Rubio, G. M., Teryda, N., Balazs, G., van Sebille, E., Hardesty, For further inspiration regarding Asaroff, P. E., Estrades, A., Rodriguez, B.D. (2016) “Risk analysis reveals research priorities for this topic, see D., & Tomás, J. (2018). Differential global hotspots for marine debris Vegter et al (2014). impact of marine debris ingestion ingestion by sea turtles” Conservation during ontogenetic dietary shift of REFERENCES Biology Global Change Biology, 22(2): green turtles in Uruguayan waters. Carman, V. G., Acha, E. M., Maxwell, 567-576 doi: 10.1111/gcb.13078 Marine Pollution Bulletin, 127, S. M., Albareda, D., Campagna, C., Stacy, B.A., Chapman, P.A., Foley, A.M., 603-611. https://doi.org/10.1016/j. & Mianzan, H. (2014). Young green Greiner, E.C., Herbst, L.H., Bolten, A.B., marpolbul.2017.12.053 turtles, Chelonia mydas, exposed Klein, P.A., Manire, C.A., & Jacobson, to plastic in a frontal area of the Wilcox, C., Puckridge, M., Schuyler, Q, E.R. (2017). Evidence of Diversity, Site, SW Atlantic. Marine Pollution Townsend, K.A., Hardesty, B.D. (2018) A and Host Specificity of Sea Turtle Blood Bulletin, 78(1-2), 56-62. https://doi. quantitative analysis linking sea turtle Flukes (Digenea: Schistosomatoidea: org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2013.11.012 mortality and plastic debris ingestion. “Spirorchiidae”): A Molecular Nature: Scientific Reports 8:12536 Santoro M, Di Nocera F, Iaccarino Prospecting Study. The Journal of DOI:10.1038/s41598-018-30038-z D, Lawton SP and others (2017) parasitology, 103 6, 756-767. Pathology and molecular analysis Vegter, Amanda C., Mário Barletta, of Hapalotrema mistroides Cathy Beck, Jose Borrero, Harry Burton, (Digenea: Spirorchiidae) infecting Marnie L. Campbell, Marcus Eriksen, a Mediterranean loggerhead turtle Cecilia Eriksson, Andres Estrades, Caretta caretta. Diseases of Aquatic Kirsten V.K. Gilardi, Britta Denise Organisms 124:101-108. https://doi. Hardesty, Juliana Assunção, Ivar do org/10.3354/dao03117

10-8 SEPTEMBER 2018 125 WORKSHOP SEVEN Australian Marine Turtle Symposium Future Planning

FACILITATORS: ● Acknowledgement ● An organizational structure Nev and Bev McLachlan of Traditional Owners consisting of: AMTS Committee ● Sponsor logos and ● Symposium Management acknowledgement Group of 16 which can TurtleCare Volunteers be added to at any time. Queensland Inc., PO Box 248, ● Opportunity for website Representatives from Buderim, Queensland, visitors to register interest Commonwealth, State and Australia 4556 in future symposia Local Government, Private

● A password protected section enterprise, Research, From the commencement hosting all administrative Volunteers Groups from of preparations for the fourth documents (such as delegate all states. symposium, one of the aims was database, registration forms, ● Symposium Organising to set up some infrastructure proceedings formats) for future Committee which is selected and guidelines for the continuing symposia to access and further to plan and convene an concept of the Australian Marine develop individual symposium Turtle Symposium. ● A bank account that can be ● The 5th AMTS will be held in Toward this aim the following used by each event with seed Ballina in September 2020 was developed: funds for the meeting next in line. (Dates to be advised) ● A logo that can be used with ● An Income and Expense Discussions were held with each Symposium adding the Statement has been prepared both the Queensland Justice number and location. (Figure 1.). Department and Australian ● A website was developed. ● A book of 10 ISBN Securities and Investments ausmarineturtlesymposium.com.au numbers have been Commission to ascertain the in kind by Fluidity HQ. The domain purchased for future possibility of incorporation name and website hosting has symposium proceedings. or registering as a National been paid for 5 years in advance Organisation. These options are ● An email address and database (to August 2023). The website achievable over time. We were also of people who have attended or features important information asked at the Symposium to look have an interest in the Australian such as; at the possibility of registering to Marine Turtle Symposium. accept donations. The conclusion ● Details of the current ● A Survey Monkey account symposium reached was that for what we would was registered and used to have to set up, the administration ● Records and published survey delegates for feedback and bureaucracy was far too proceedings of previous on the event. A low cost paid complicated for the amount of symposia subscription was used for a short donations that would come through. period to run the survey, gather and export the data due to the number of delegates surveyed.

126 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 4TH AUSTRALIAN MARINE TURTLE SYMPOSIUM FIGURE 1. FOURTH AUSTRALIAN MARINE TURTLE SYMPOSIUM INCOME AND EXPENSE STATEMENT.

MARINE TURTLE SYMPOSIUM INCOME AND EXPENSE STATEMENT INCOME

Registration $25,290.00

Contribution $10,091.14

Silent Auction Sales $5,050.34

TOTAL INCOME $40,431.48

EXPENSES

Credit Card Fees $396.28

Accommodation and Travel Subsidy $7,061.17

Catering Expenses $17,692.12

Administration Activities $959.61

Registration Bag Contents $2,657.20

Promotional Expenses $1,338.90

Venue Rental $825.00

Web Page Expenses $264.00

Silent Auction Expenses $18.00

TOTAL EXPENSES $31,212.28

SURPLUS $9,219.20

Break Up of Surplus

Silent Auction Surplus $5,050.34

Symposium Surplus $4,168.86 $9,219.20

10-8 SEPTEMBER 2018 127 Reef Together Event

200 school students from 20 regional schools came together at the Southern Great Barrier Reef Regional Schools ‘Reef Together’ Convention for International Year of the Reef (IYOR), Bundaberg Multiplex Exhibition Hall on Monday 10th September 2018.

Students showcased their Year 9 St Luke’s Anglican School The Great Barrier Reef Marine environmental projects to student, Halle Gregson-Allcott Park Authority’s Reef Guardian Earth Hour Founder and Citizens said, “As Junior Turtle Rangers Schools annual ‘Future Leaders of the Great Barrier Reef CEO at Mon Repos, we learn about Eco Challenge’ (FLEC) is also being Andy Ridley, Lady Elliot Island science, turtles and protecting the held at Reef Together, with a focus Eco Resort Managing Director environment. We also help people on plastic pollution and actions Peter Gash, Plastic Pollution coming to see the turtles become that we can all take to love the Reef. Solutions Founder Anthony Hill, more aware about how they too can The Reef Guardian School program Dr Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots help look after turtles and the ocean. has inspired 297 Queensland Queensland Coordinator Peta I’m excited about Reef Together, schools to become Reef Guardian Wilson, Queensland Department learning from the speakers, and schools, 17 in the Bundaberg Region, of Environment and Science seeing what other students in to learn Reef and environmental Chief Scientist, Dr Col Limpus, our area are doing to help the protection and conservation. More Save the Bilby Fund Co-Founder environment.” than 120,000 students and 7400 Frank Manthey, Queensland Parks teachers are involved. The idea of Reef Together and Wildlife Mon Repos Turtle originated when Kalkie State Reef Together is kindly supported Ranger In Charge Cathy Gatley School and Bargara State School by KNAUF Plasterboard Bundaberg and 300 scientists and attendees students shared their ideas when and Guzman Y Gomez Bundaberg. from the Australian Marine the Education Queensland Director The Reef Together event has been Turtle Symposium. General visited in 2017. St Patrick’s offset by Greenfleet. Greenfleet Reef Together, supported Catholic Primary School was the will plant 150 native trees to offset by a Great Barrier Reef Marine newest GBRMPA Reef Guardian carbon emissions relating to the Park Authority Reef Guardian School so the three schools decided event and protect our climate. Stewardship Grant, is designed to collaborate to design the first Judith Stutchbury to engage student learning, inspire regional environmental convention Kalkie State School students through guest speakers, to support student learning and showcase school projects, workshop engagement, and the International and share ideas, and collaborate Year of the Reef. for the greater good of the environment.

128 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 4TH AUSTRALIAN MARINE TURTLE SYMPOSIUM Feedback from delegates

TABLE 1. SUMMARY OF RESPONSES Number of strongly strongly participant Topic disagree disagree neutral agree agree responses

The symposia has provided me with new information and/or skills 0% 0% 1.43% 28.78% 69.29% 139

The symposia has given me a greater understanding of marine turtle research, biology and conservation in Australia 0% 0% 3.65% 29.20% 67.15% 137

The symposia has given me a greater understanding of the pressures on marine turtles in Australia 0% 0.71% 5.71% 40.71% 52.86% 140

The oral presentations were interesting and useful 0% 0% 0% 41.84% 57.45% 140

The tea and lunch breaks allowed time for networking 0% 1.43% 2.14% 35.00% 61.43% 140

The poster presentations were interesting and useful 0% 2.14% 31.43% 44.29% 22.14% 140

I felt comfortable asking speakers questions in the tea and lunch breaks 0% 2.16% 11.51% 38.13% 48.2% 139

The information provided by the organising committee was clear 0% 2.86% 6.43% 43.57% 47.14% 140

The catering was sufficient in quality and quantity 0.71% 0.71% 2.86% 27.86% 67.86% 140

The venue was suitable 0% 2.16% 2.16% 28.06% 67.63% 139

I would recommend the Australian Marine Turtle Symposium to others 0% 0% 0.71% 22.14% 77.14% 140

There was enough time to interact and socialise 0% 4.29% 5.71% 38.57% 51.43% 140

The workshops were interesting and useful 0.72% 1.45% 18.12% 44.20% 35.51% 138

10-8 SEPTEMBER 2018 129 Feedback from delegates continued

TABLE 2. SHORT ANSWER RESPONSES Open-ended responses were grouped in themes to provide an overview of the responses. Individual comments are featured below each summary to provide an example of the responses provided.

Summary of Answers 1 What would be the most 46.56% of 131 respondents indicated preference towards a change to a mixture appropriate format of longer and shorter presentations. 40.46% of respondents indicated preference for oral presentations towards continuing the nine-minute presentations. 12.21% of respondents were (remain at same interested in the current or mixed format with the addition of time allocated for with nine-minute questions, and one respondent (0.76%) had no preference stated for either of the presentations or have options provided. a mixture of longer and Generally, respondents felt that time allocated to the presenter should be based on short presentations) the type, longevity or complexity of the work being presented. They also generally indicated that the grouping of themed presentations was appropriate and should be continued and communicated clearly within the program.

‘Whilst l fully appreciate the amount of work involved in putting this on, maybe you could consider having multiple presentations happening for longer at the same time. People could then attend interest areas for longer. Many speakers wanted to speak longer and had a message that people wanted to listen to longer. Popular topics could be repeated over a couple days to allow people to attend different topics.’

‘Would like some longer sessions with the ability to ask questions of speakers but keep the 9-minute sessions generally’

‘During preparation I thought - what have we done to ourselves? But now I think - do it the same - 9 minutes is punchy & makes you more disciplined in what you put up’ 2 How will this symposium 40.65% of 123 respondents indicated knowledge and professional development was help you gained from attendance, and 21.14% of respondents primarily gained networking and collaboration opportunities. 33.33% of respondents indicated they had gained a combination of both knowledge/professional development and networking/ collaboration.

Four respondents (3.25%) indicated varied miscellaneous outcomes and two respondents (1.63%) indicated they had gained motivation and inspiration from attendance.

‘Professional and personal development in presentations and direct application to work. Networking was great’

‘It was very inspirational, the mix of community, research, government and indigenous groups was great as it promotes collaboration across various fields/groups. The technology of drones may prove a useful means of rapid track surveys of several nesting beaches in my region’

‘Networking; putting faces to names; awareness of work being done within Australia, particularly the sheer number of community organisations and volunteer groups.’

130 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 4TH AUSTRALIAN MARINE TURTLE SYMPOSIUM Summary of Answers 3 What improvements 37.96% of the 108 respondents suggested varying changes to the program. would you suggest Suggestions not captured in other survey questions included changes to the workshop formats to make them more inclusive and expressed a change needed from the current presentation-based format.

25.00% of responses were neutral or positive comments about the symposium.

18.52% of respondents suggested changes to the venue management such as tiered seating for better viewing of presentations along with comments on catering, venue suitability and recycling opportunities. 12.96% of respondents suggested improving the social opportunities for delegates, in particular night time functions.

6 respondents (5.56%) suggested improvements to acknowledgement, inclusivity and cultural bridging between indigenous and non-indigenous delegates. ‘

‘The workshops may have been better at encouraging audience participation if they were split into concurrent smaller sessions - but I understand this is hard to do if there are no smaller rooms available. Dinners are a lot of work, but perhaps a dinner gathering on the Saturday night would have been good as well.’

‘Venue with raised seating if possible. Protocols for Traditional Owner acknowledgements, better seating format - not so much neck bending would be good’

‘Workshops should actually be workshops not just longer presentations. They should be in a separate, smaller room with fewer people (most conferences ask people to sign up to workshops in advance). For the size of the room and number of attendees, it would have been better to have a couple of screens to make it easier for everyone to see. There should be time to ask questions after the presentations and not expect us to be able to find people in the breaks and to have time to talk to them. Lunches were inadequate in variety and quantity. The integration with Bilby day and the school groups was not done well at all. There should have actually been time built in for those interactions. Also the film should have been a separate evening social event, not just played during lunch. Posters would be more useful if there was a dedicated time when presenters stood by the posters to answer questions. There were too many presentations and a lot were very repetitive - it would have been more useful to be selective and restrict the number of speakers. Most attendees had left by Monday so perhaps a two-day event would have been better also.’ 4 What was the highlight of 29.17% of the 120 respondents felt that Dr Col Limpus’ keynote address was the the symposium highlight of the symposium, in particular the recognition of 50 years of research.

19.17% of respondents indicated that the highlight was the presentations and knowledge gained. Equally at 19.17%, respondents indicated the symposium it its entirety was the highlight.

15% of respondents indicated that the networking and social opportunities were their highlight, where collaborations and connections were created.

3.33% of respondents felt that the traditional owner contributions were their highlight, and equally, 3.33% of respondents indicated their highlight was the workshops.

10.83% of respondents indicated the highlight was a combination of the grouped responses above.

‘Keynote address - Half a century of walking with turtles by Dr. Col Limpus’

‘The casual/interactive nature, the meet and greet at the start, the length of break times, inclusion of the local school kids on the final day, all of it really!’

‘Col’s opening and closing remarks really set the scene and delivered a cohesive, positive message for the future of turtle conservation and made everyone feel valued and that their contributions are significant no matter how small or in what capacity. The silent auction was also a real hoot and a fantastic way to raise money whilst also being very fun.’

10-8 SEPTEMBER 2018 131 Summary of Answers 5 Do you have any other 47.37% of the 57 respondents thanked Nev and Bev and the organising committee for comments about the their efforts. 31.58% of respondents provided positive commentary on the symposium. symposium or the questionnaire Seven (12.28%) respondents provided constructive criticism on different aspects of the symposium, these included conflicts from scheduling changes, venue issues (seat comfort and difficulty viewing due to layout) and negative individual experiences.

Five respondents (8.77%) provided other miscellaneous feedback and suggestions including: ● Inclusion of freshwater turtles in the scope of the symposium ● Clearer pre-symposium communication ● Further engagement to ensure greater attendance by traditional owners and industry managers ● Publishing of presenter contacts and proceedings ● Inclusion of speaker affiliations in the program.

‘Everything about the symposium was fabulous. The atmosphere created by the participants was warm, generous and energised. Really loved the diversity of participation - scientists young and old, Indigenous rangers, community volunteers and others. Conserving turtles is an uphill battle - it’s good we’re all in it together.’

‘Nev and Bev and other organising committee did a great job’

‘It was a positive thing that this was open to children, and that parents bring their school aged kids or even younger children to the symposium. I thought having the workshop with the local school children was highly beneficial for the future generations.’

‘The Indigenous feedback was important, I know it was not scheduled, but it was shut off prematurely by the call of “next workshop please” by the chairs who clearly did not understand that the speakers were just asking for more awareness and cohesiveness among participants. The Aust govt had people in the room and they could have been asked to respond to some of the issues... I for one would have liked to engage more about what they thought could be done better or differently...’

FIGURE 1. SESSION ATTENDANCE FROM 131 SURVEY RESPONDENTS

140

120

100

SATURDAY AM SATURDAY PM SUNDAY AM SUNDAY PM MONDAY AM MONDAY PM

132 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 4TH AUSTRALIAN MARINE TURTLE SYMPOSIUM THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR DELEGATES FOR YOUR SUPPORT

10-8 SEPTEMBER 2018 133 THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR DELEGATES FOR YOUR SUPPORT continued

134 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 4TH AUSTRALIAN MARINE TURTLE SYMPOSIUM

Australian Marine Turtle Symposium PO Box 248, Buderim QLD, Australia, 4556 Phone: 07 5445 1238 Email: [email protected] Web: ausmarineturtlesymposium.com.au

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