Eco Beach Turtle Monitoring

 

 

Travel to the iconic and spectacular Eco Beach Wilderness Retreat near Broome to assist our marine species experts with turtle monitoring.  Participants will work alongside researchers patrolling sections of Eco Beach locating and recording data on the nesting flatback turtles to determine the number of nesting turtles and how far dispersed this genetic population is. Each night patrol team will either walk from the Resort or drive 12kms along the beach on the rising high tide to the main nesting area, patrol for approximately four hours over high tide, sleep in tents under a shelter and then return early morning to the Resort. Day activities will include hatchling monitoring, nest exhumations and some free time to relax. For people who enjoy remote Australian wilderness, this is a special and rewarding travel experience.

Eco Beach Flatback Turtle Monitoring program

Follow Lucy an Australian flatback turtle tagged at Eco Beach south of Broome in Western Australia during the 2009 Eco Beach turtle monitoring program. Lucy measured 86cms (CCL) and 73cms (CCW) and laid 41 eggs. Click here to track Lucy.  

 

Turtle Monitoring – Important Information                                        Working to collect scientific data and help protect nesting grounds for turtles is a brilliant and unforgettable experience and we really do need your support. When deciding if you should participate for this type of project, please remember:

  • There are no guarantees with Nature. Turtles choose when to come ashore to nest.
  • Daily track and nest counts generally take place early morning.  Night patrols are typically conducted between 6.30pm and 4.30am.  Participants may have to walk reasonable distances if the vehicles cannot access some areas of the beach. A good level of health and fitness is required and conditions will be hot.
  • Mosquitoes and sand flies are present at night on the beach and no insecticides are allowed to be worn when working with nesting turtles or handling hatchlings.
  • This is a remote project and there are no major shops or facilities nearby, other than those provided by the Resort.
  • Participants will receive training on the protocols for approaching and handling turtles and you must follow the directions of the project leaders. We work in the dark and use minimal torch light when a turtle is located. Turtles will be measured, tagged, have a DNA sample taken, eggs counted and sometimes measured and weighted, a body inspection done plus track and nest data recorded.
  • No flash photography at night on patrol.
  • No swimming during the project due to crocodile and box jellyfish dangers.
  • Participants will undertake monitoring activities each night and days can be long.

 

Rates and Departures

Accommodation Details

Eco Beach Turtle Monitoring

Climate & Working Conditions

Research Project Leader

 

 

 

 

Accommodation 

Eco Beach Wilderness Retreat is our accommodation base for this project. Eco Beach provides an authentic wilderness experience offering beautifully outfitted living spaces which focus on connecting you with nature. Your accommodation options include:

  

Eco Tent Accommodation

Spacious safari-style eco tents with private bathroom facilities.  Tents are stylishly outfitted with either a king–sized bed or two single beds, bedside tables with reading lamps, bed linen, three-shelved wardrobe kit, large storage chest, ensuite shower and toilet. Eco tent accommodation is not air conditioned, however fans are provided. Garden view tents provide views of resort grounds and bushland. Ocean view tents have partial ocean views and higher elevations.

Eco Villa Accommodation

Each villa has one bedroom with a king sized bed or two single beds, wardrobe, bedside tables, reading lamps, air conditioning, ceiling fan and en suite bathroom.  The spacious open plan living room provides space to relax and features a large leather sofa bed, small kitchenette with bar fridge, sink, tea and coffee facilities, dishwasher, utensils and dining table with chairs.  Fresh towels and line are provided.  Garden view villa’s have views of resort grounds and bushland. Ocean view villa’s have partial ocean views and

higher elevations.

Please note: during evening beach patrols participants will be provided with a single tent and swag to sleep in.  We recommend bringing a sleeping bag or light sheet to sleep in during night patrols.

During your stay you will have access to the facilities at Eco Beach wilderness retreat. 

Jacks Bar with magnificent ocean views provides the perfect setting for dining and relaxation.  Lunch is served daily between 12pm - 2pm with prices ranging from $10 - $35 for a meal.  Jack's bar is licensed stocking a wide selection of beers, wines, spirits and cocktails. You can also purchase snacks, ice creams and soft drinks during the day.

Eco Beach hosts a range of activities and leisure pursuits to enhance your wilderness experience.  When not participating in turtle research activities you may choose to enjoy these optional activities. Please note that these optional activities are not included in the turtle research package and may be at an additional cost.  Eco Beach staff will be more than happy to provide details on these activities during your stay.

Click here for accommodation images.

Accommodation in Broome

Broome offers a range of accommodation from backpackers through to the deluxe. For information on accommodation and activities click here.

 

Eco Beach Sea Turtle Monitoring

As part of the Conservation Volunteers Wild Futures program to protect critical nesting habitats for the Australian flatback sea turtle, our goals are to :

  • collect valuable scientific data whilst monitoring the range of flatbacks in the Broome region,
  • assist in future species classifications and,
  • educate and involve community members on the conservation and biology of sea turtles.

Now in its second year, the monitoring program has teams of volunteers patrolling a long section of beach north of Eco Beach Wilderness Retreat, which is the base camp. 40 nights of patrolling aims to locate nesting flatback turtles to determine their numbers and how far dispersed this genetic population is. Adhering to a range of animal handling protocols, each four hour nightly patrol walks beach sectors looking for nesting turtles. Data regarding the turtle and nesting process is recorded, flipper tags inserted and a DNA sample taken. One team is required to drive 12kms along the beach to a nesting area, patrol for approximately four hours, sleep in provided tents and then return early morning to the Resort. Day activities will include hatchling monitoring and nest exhumations as they occur. The flatback turtle (Natator depressus) is the prime nesting species targeted for this sea turtle monitoring project. 

Eco Beach 2009 Turtle Monitoring Report

Eco Beach 2008 Turtle Monitoring Report

Meet our Research Project Leader

Glenn McFarlane Marine Species Specialist

Conservation Volunteers Australia

Glenn has been involved with sea turtle conservation and research for the last seven years working with non profit organisations, governments and private ventures here in Australia and in Central America. A private passion for sea turtles now sees Glenn undertaking for Conservation Volunteers Australia the new role of Marine Species Manager helping develop new programs, educating members of the community, working to reduce some of the threats sea turtle face and gathering valuable scientific data on nesting green and flatback turtles.

 

There are many threats sea turtles face including inadvertent bycatch by the fishing industry, marine debris entanglement, habitat loss, predation of eggs and human interference of nesting and foraging (feeding) turtles.

Internationally, sea turtles are classified as:

Critically Endangered  - Kemp’s ridley, leatherback, hawksbill

Endangered - loggerhead, green,

Vulnerable -  olive ridley

Data Deficient -  flatback (found only in Australia and surrounding northern waters)

(Source: IUCN Red List of Threatened Species)

 

In Australia:

Endangered - loggerhead, olive ridley, leatherback

Vulnerable - green, hawksbill, flatback

(Source: Environment and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999)

 

In Western Australia:

Rare or likely to become extinct  - loggerhead, olive ridley, hawksbill, flatback, leatherback, green

(Source: Department of Environment and Conservation)

 

In WA CVA hosts a Sea Turtle Information and Volunteering Centre in Broome.  A key turtle monitoring program in the region takes place at Eco Beach Wilderness Retreat. Annual monitoring of nesting flatback turtles is gaining for the first time in the area data on population size and genetics, any climate changes in beach temperatures and the migration movements of nesting turtles to be tracked from 2009 onwards.


The conservation and research activities headed up by Glenn for CVA also assists in improving the level of understanding of the biology of sea turtles for the general public through school presentations, volunteer and staff training on best practice handling protocols and by media representation of the programs and the results.

Climate and Working Conditions

Temperatures during October - February are warm to hot expect 30 – 45 degrees celcius and from October onwards it’s wet and cyclone season in the region. Participants should be prepared to work in warm and varied weather conditions.  Turtle monitoring activities take place during the evenings and sometimes in the early mornings early to mid morning (location and research needs dependant).  When not undertaking monitoring activities participants have the opportunity to relax and take in the surrounds. Please remember for safety due to crocodiles and box jellyfish no swimming is allowed during this program. 

 

Average temperatures (degrees Celsius)

Max         -            Min         Month

33            -            22           October

34            -            25           November

34            -            26           December and January

33            -            26           February