Lower Mary River Landcare Group

18/05/2026

Wow how cool is this

18/05/2026

A very interesting story

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/science/15-year-old-canadian-boy-built-a-robotic-turtle-that-can-detect-underwater-environmental-threats-with-96-accuracy/articleshow/131118012.cms?shem=dsdf,sharefoc,agadiscoversdl,,sh/x/discover/m1/4

18/05/2026

It all comes down to wave energy…

When we look at turtle nesting beaches, it’s easy to focus on the sand — but what really shapes those beaches is something you can’t always see: wave energy.

Along the Fraser Coast, the amount of wave energy hitting the shoreline constantly changes. Calm conditions allow sand to build up, creating wide, stable beaches that are ideal for turtles to nest. But when wave energy increases — through storms, strong winds, or seasonal changes — those same beaches can quickly erode.

Sand is pulled away, dunes can collapse, and in some cases nests are exposed or completely washed out.

For sea turtles, this makes a big difference. Nesting females rely on stable, accessible beaches to successfully lay their eggs. If the beach is too steep, too narrow, or constantly shifting, it can limit where they nest — or stop them from nesting altogether.

Even after eggs are laid, changing wave energy can impact survival. High-energy conditions can flood nests, reduce incubation success, or wash hatchlings off course before they’ve had a chance to orient themselves.

That’s why calmer, protected coastlines — like those influenced by reefs and natural barriers — are so important. They help reduce wave energy, stabilise beaches, and create better conditions for nesting and hatching.

It’s a constant balance between ocean forces and the shoreline… and even small changes can have a big impact.

💙 What can we do?

While we can’t control the ocean, we can help protect the systems that reduce wave energy and support stable beaches:

• Protect dunes and vegetation (they help hold sand in place)
• Avoid driving or disturbing fragile beach areas
• Support conservation efforts that protect reefs and coastal systems
• Keep beaches clean and natural

Because when beaches are stable, turtles have a better chance — and every nest matters 🐢💙

15/05/2026

What’s happening beneath the sand? (The science behind our nesting beaches)

While we often see what’s happening on the beach, some of the most important changes are happening beneath the surface.

This season on the Fraser Coast, we expanded our research by placing data loggers not just in the sand beside nests — but directly inside the nests themselves.

What we found was powerful.

Sand temperature isn’t just about the weather — it’s influenced by the stability of the beach. When beaches are stable and undisturbed, temperatures remain relatively consistent, giving developing embryos the best chance of survival.

But when erosion events occur — often driven by increased wave energy — everything changes.

As sand is removed or shifted, nests can become exposed, compacted, or even flooded. These changes can cause fluctuations in temperature and moisture levels, which directly impact embryo development.

In some cases, our data showed variations in nest temperature patterns where environmental conditions had changed — highlighting just how sensitive these nests are to what’s happening around them.

It’s not just about losing sand… it’s about changing the entire environment the eggs rely on.

💡 Why this matters

Temperature plays a critical role in turtle development — including hatch success and even s*x determination.

So when beaches are impacted by erosion, it doesn’t just affect where turtles nest… it can affect whether those hatchlings survive at all.

💙 What this tells us

Our data reinforces something important:

Healthy, stable beaches = stable nest environments = better outcomes for turtles.

And those stable beaches are shaped by everything we’ve talked about — wave energy, reefs, dunes, and human impact.

🐢 Every nest holds more than eggs — it holds a delicate balance of environmental conditions.

And now, we can actually measure it.

04/05/2026

Why reefs matter more than you think…

When we talk about turtles, most people picture sandy beaches and hatchlings making their way to the ocean. But what many don’t realise is that what lies just offshore plays a huge role in whether those beaches are even suitable for nesting in the first place.

Along the Hervey Bay coastline, reef systems act as natural barriers. They help break up wave energy before it reaches the shore, reducing erosion and protecting the beaches where turtles come to nest. Without this protection, strong swell and storm activity could strip sand away, expose nests, or make beaches too unstable for nesting altogether.

Reefs also help create the calmer, more sheltered waters that sea turtles rely on. For adult turtles, these areas provide important feeding grounds and safe resting zones. For hatchlings, calmer conditions close to shore can make those first critical moments in the ocean just that little bit easier.

It’s all connected — healthy reefs support stable beaches, and stable beaches give turtles the best chance to successfully nest and hatch.

But like many natural systems, reefs face their own pressures. Climate change, water quality, and human activity all impact how well these systems can function. When reefs are damaged, the effects don’t just stay underwater — they can be felt all the way up on the beach.

That’s why protecting reefs is just as important as protecting nests.

Because when reefs thrive, beaches stay healthier… and turtles get a better place to call home 🐢💙



Photo credit https://www.facebook.com/p/Hervey-Bay-CoralWatch-100078477203023/

27/04/2026

Conservation Never Stops

Planning is all year round and we are currently in the process of developing plans for nest season.

While the beach may be quiet now, the work continues.

Behind the scenes, we are:

Reviewing data from this season
Identifying trends and improvements
Planning monitoring strategies for next year
Strengthening conservation measures

Good conservation is built on preparation.

Each season builds on the last — improving outcomes, refining methods, and strengthening our impact.

We’re already looking forward to what next season will bring.

🐢 And we’ll be ready.

27/04/2026

Not all turtle challenges happen in the ocean…

Out on the Fraser Coast beaches, turtles are facing some pretty tough odds before they even reach the water.

Imagine this… a female turtle comes ashore after an incredible journey, ready to lay her eggs. She’s done everything right — only to be met with a beach that’s been eroded by rough weather, nests at risk from foxes, rubbish scattered along the shoreline, and human activity that can unknowingly disturb the nesting process.

It’s a lot — and it all happens before those hatchlings even get their chance.

That’s where we step in. Behind the scenes, our team works to locate and monitor nests, protect them from predators, and relocate them when they’re at risk. We also collect data to better understand survival rates and improve how we protect future nests.

But the truth is, we can’t do it alone.

The biggest impact comes from the community. Simple actions — like taking your rubbish home, keeping beaches dark at night, avoiding nesting areas, and respecting these incredible animals — can make a massive difference.

Because at the end of the day, every hatchling that makes it to the ocean counts 🐢💙

22/04/2026

We started this page to focus on turtles nesting on the Fraser Coast and it has been amazing how many people we have chatted with on the beach who have no idea that turtles come up so close by and nest.

Whilst there are numerous other groups in the area doing all facets of marine research, conservation and protection we are totally focused on bringing you nesting news :) and appreciate if we can keep it that way.

It is always very cool to be seeing posts around the globe of other nesting activities.. yep while we get a break from the super hard job of playing in the sand somewhere on the other side of the globe there are volunteers relocating eggs.. we will share some of the global stuff with you as its always nice to see the turtles keep coming back ;) have a great day.

Send a message to learn more

20/04/2026

The lost years for hatchlings.

After hatchlings make their journey to the ocean, they disappear.

For years — sometimes over a decade — we know very little about where they go or how they survive. This period is known as “the lost years.”

During this time, hatchlings:

Drift with ocean currents
Seek shelter in floating seaw**d systems
Grow and develop far from shore

It’s one of the biggest mysteries in marine biology.

What we do know is this:
Only a small percentage survive to adulthood.

Which is why every successful nest matters.

Every hatchling counts.

13/04/2026

The Biggest Challenges We Face

Our biggest challenges were fox predation, coast erosion and humans.

Conservation isn’t always easy.

This season highlighted three ongoing threats to turtle nesting success:

🦊 Fox predation
Introduced predators continue to target nests, reducing hatchling survival.

🌊 Coastal erosion
Storms and shifting beaches can expose or destroy nests before hatchlings emerge.

🚶 Human impact
Unintentional disturbance — walking over nests, lights, or interference — can significantly affect outcomes.

While these challenges are real, so is the impact of awareness and action.

✔️ Reporting nests
✔️ Respecting signage
✔️ Keeping beaches turtle-safe

Every small action helps give hatchlings a better chance.