ACC’s Agnes Water Turtles project coordinates citizen science monitoring of marine turtle nesting from Chinamans Beach north to Seventeen Seventy.

The nesting season runs from October to April each year, with volunteers trained to identify tracks and record nesting activity and threats such as predation. This data is used to quantify nesting density and success.

Queensland Turtle Conservation Program (QTCP) accredited volunteers also carry out authorised conservation activities, including nest protection, relocations, and incubation success surveys.

Agnes Water Turtles is a member of the Queensland Marine Turtle Network – dedicated to enhancing the conservation of marine turtles in Queensland.

Local turtle species

Queensland waters are home to six of the world’s seven marine turtle species, with only the Kemp’s Ridley not found in our waters. Several species are regularly seen offshore locally; green, hawksbill and loggerheads, while Leatherback and Olive Ridleys are rarely experienced. You can use this Identification sheet to compare our local species.

Three species nest on Agnes Water beaches:

Lifecycle

All marine turtle species share a similar life cycle: they hatch from eggs on land, then spend their lives in the sea, where they grow slowly taking decades to reach sexual maturity.

More information: Sea Turtles: A complete guide to their biology, behavior and conservation (James R. Spotila; Johns Hopkins University Press).

Turtle friendly behaviour

All marine turtle species face serious threats to their survival, largely due to human activities. With an estimated survival rate of just 1 in 1,000 hatchlings reaching adulthood, it’s clear that every action counts. We all have a role to play in reducing our impact and protecting these vulnerable species. Remember, the turtles can’t change their behaviour, but we can.

Reduce Artificial Light 

Artificial light from houses, streetlights, businesses, and even torches can disturb nesting turtles and disorient hatchlings.

• Nesting females may avoid the beach or abandon nesting attempts when disturbed by light, wasting vital energy.
• Hatchlings use the lowest light horizon to find their way to the sea. Land-based lights can lead them inland, putting them at risk of dehydration, predation, even death.

You can help:

• Leave the beaches for turtles at night
• Turn off unnecessary outdoor lights.
• Use motion sensor lights or downward-facing fixtures
• Close curtains or blinds at night.

This Cut the Glow brochure has more information. Our Team Hatchling friends on the Capricorn Coast created a fantastic Turtles about, so lights out! video to show how easy it is to make a difference.

Go Slow for Those Below – Reduce boat strikes

Marine turtles need to come to the surface to breathe, making them vulnerable to fast-moving boats—especially in shallow waters.

You can help protect them:

• Slow down in estuaries, river and creek mouths, and nearshore coastal waters.
• Stay alert for surfacing turtles.

Reduce Marine Debris – Say No to Single-Use Plastics

Marine turtles are increasingly threatened by plastic pollution. They can mistake floating plastics for food, leading to internal injuries, starvation, and death. Entanglement in discarded fishing line and tackle is also a serious and preventable threat.

How You Can Help

• • Refuse single-use plastics and choose reusable alternatives.
  • Avoid products with microbeads and use natural fibre clothing and products where possible.
  • Dispose of fishing line responsibly—never leave line, hooks, or bait bags on the beach or in the water. Use line disposal bins where provided.
  • Reduce plastic use overall and support local clean-up efforts.
  • Pick up rubbish when you see it—on the beach, in car parks, or near stormwater drains.
  • Support bans and initiatives that phase out harmful plastics and promote sustainable alternatives.

What to do if you see a turtle on the beach

• Please keep your distance – stay at least 10 meters away. The further the better
• Stay still
• Stay behind the turtle
• Restrain dogs
• Sit down and enjoy the privilege from afar

These are marine creatures in an alien land environment – they are easily spooked and will return to the water without nesting – this wastes precious energy. Please give them space and observe from a distance. What’s more important – their wellbeing or your photos?

Where to see turtles lay and hatchlings

Agnes Water is not a high-density nesting area so chances of seeing nesting turtles are low. Nest emergence timing is unpredictable with incubation length dependant on temperature and other variables.

All 3 local nesting species are protected and recognised as species of conservation concern, with eco-tourism for turtle watching not permitted. If you would like a interactive nesting or hatchling experience we recommend booking a visit at the Mon Repos Turtle Centre.

Mon Repos Turtle Centre – Bundaberg (Australia)

Agnes Conservation Community’s Agnes Water Turtle webpages are proudly supported by Gladstone Regional Council’s Grassroots Fund.