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Ella Bay Resort development

Threats to marine turtle nests at Bramston Beach and Ella Bay

During the course of the surveys a number of threats to the successful nesting of marine turtles were observed. These threats were of either human or natural origin and included erosion of nesting areas, predation of eggs and human interference with nesting sites.

EROSION OF NESTING AREAS

During the latter part of January 2009 heavy rainfall and king tides were experienced in this region. I have not had the opportunity to re-examine nests south of Bramston Beach however on the 2 February 2009 I observed the total loss of marine turtle nest site 050 located at S 17.19.504 EI46.00.543. The eggs in this nest should have hatched prior to its destruction. The damage to the site area may be observed in the photographs. below.

Ella Bay Resort developmentBy examining the base of the trees it can be seen that at least a metre of sand has been deposited in the vicinity of the nest site. It’s reasonable to expect that similar erosion and deposition events will have occurred at other nesting sites within the region. According to reports from the Sea Turtle Foundation many nests have been destroyed around Magnetic Island and Townsville by the same adverse weather events.

 

 

PREDATION OF MARINE TURTLE EGGS

Ella Bay Resort developmentOn 22 December 2008 Sara Dobson and I observed exposed egg shells at nest 038 located at S17 26.953 EI46 03.849. The damage to the shells was consistent with consumption by a monitor lizard and monitor tracks were common in the area. This was a fresh nest and had been constructed after a previous survey on 13 December 2008.

 

 

HUMAN INTERFERENCE

Ella Bay Resort developmentAt Ella Bay people are regularly driving motor cars and motor bikes on the beach. This activity is destructive and unlawful and many vehicle tracks were observed in close proximity to marine turtle nests. Heavy duty locked gates effectively seal off this area to traffic and the only vehicles that have access to this beach are those belonging to Sartori staff/contractors and the property owners. This activity threatens marine turtle nest sites via direct vehicle damage to nests. It also destabilizes beaches by damaging vegetation creating a secondary threat of increased beach erosion.

HUMAN INTEFERENCE CONTINUED

Ella Bay Resort developmentNorth Bramston Beach has experienced high levels of motor bike and quad bike activity in beach and dune areas over the Christmas period. Despite vegetation damage this activity had little direct effect on marine turtle nests as only 2 nests were found on this beach. Joyce Creek and locked gates restrict vehicle access to south Bramston Beach.

 

 

 

FUTURE THREATS

The surveys have revealed that significant numbers of marine turtles are nesting on isolated beaches that receive negligible human traffic. Beachside resort developments present a clear and imminent threat to these marine turtle nesting sites. The planned resorts at Ella Bay and south Brarnston Beach will increase human activity in these areas exponentially.

Increased human beach and aquatic activity, intentional and non intentional human disturbance of nest sites and increased pollution are all negative aspects of beachside resort developments. Nocturnal light pollution from beachside developments will be highly detrimental to marine turtle nesting. Light pollution has been proven to disorient hatchlings. During the surveys no marine turtle nests were found in areas near artificial lighting.

 

Ella Bay Resort development

 

Endangered marine turtles have a sanctuary of global significance within our World Heritage Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. Characteristically marine turtles maintain a very high fidelity to traditional nesting sites. Considering this, the results of these marine turtle nest surveys are highly disturbing. Most of the nests located were in close proximity to areas earmarked for resort development at Joyce Creek and Ella Bay. Coastal resort development within the surveyed area has the potential to render these traditional nesting sites unusable within a decade. Local, State and Federal Governments have a legal and moral duty to protect these endangered marine turtle nesting sites.

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