A scientific basis for reducing the impact of vessel traffic on sea turtles (A4.1)
Task leader: Professor Helene Marsh, James Cook University.
Task associate: NA.
Objectives
- To provide a basis for reducing the impacts of vessel traffic on sea
turtles by Experimentally and opportunistically quantifying the response
of green turtles to speedboat traffic in shallow waters in Moreton Bay
and Heron Island using a ‘blimp cam’ system, used successfully
to conduct parallel research on for dugongs
- Studying the behaviours of sea turtles living close to the shipping
lane` to the Cleveland Bay Marina by fitting animals with timed depth
recorders and sonic tags.
- Using these data and data from other sources to evaluate the risk
of vessel traffic to sea turtles along the urban coast of Queensland
relative to other risks
- Providing management agencies including the Queensland Fisheries and
Boating Patrol, the various port authorities and corporations in Queensland,
the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service and the Great Barrier Research
Authority with data and video footage from the project to inform policy
and public education.
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