Ningaloo Turtle Program awarded
The Australian Government Coastcare Community Award (PDF 108 KB) for Western Australia was awarded to the Ningaloo Turtle Program for their work at reducing the threats to marine turtles in the Ningaloo region.
Hawksbill turtle
© WWF-Canon/Guy MARCOVALDI
Supported by WWF-Australia, in partnership with the Department of Conservation and Land Management, the program is driven by the local Exmouth Cape Conservation Group.
The Coastcare Award recognises the commitment of a community groups for excellence in activities that have contributed to the significant improvement of their local coastal environment.
The Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia is one of the largest fringing reef systems in the world and is located approximately 1200km north of Perth in Western Australia. It is home to several species of rare turtles, including the threatened green turtle, hawksbill turtle and the endangered loggerhead turtle.
"The Ningaloo Turtle Program is extremely proud to have won this award and would like to recognise the achievements and hard work of all those who have volunteered their time to ensure the success of the program" says Allison Richards, WWF Turtle Conservation Officer.
"The Program was developed in recognition of world wide declining turtle populations and the urgent need for local communities to take the lead in looking after threatened species and their habitats."
Some of the key activities of the Ningaloo Program include monitoring turtle nesting activities, assisting in the staffing of the Jurabi Turtle Centre, identifying and responding to threats, volunteer training, community education and supporting other community groups in developing turtle conservation programs.
Of the world's seven species of marine turtle, six are found in Australian waters and three of these are found in the Ningaloo Marine Park.
Since its inception, the Ningaloo Turtle Program has attracted 184 volunteers while monitoring over 63 kilometres of turtle nesting beaches each season. The program has discovered significant new rookeries, reduced the predation of nests by foxes, and rescued almost 50 mature female stranded turtles from certain death.
The program is always looking for keen members of the community to help. If you are interested in getting involved, please express your interest in becoming a volunteer.
