Environmental management

Conservation and management

The Sunshine Coast is located in South East Queensland, Australia, approximately 100 kilometres north of Brisbane (the State’s capital). The region is diverse with over 200 kilometres of coastline, coastal urban centres, waterways, national parks, state forests, rural areas and scenic mountains. With a diverse range of geographical, geological and topographical features, the Sunshine Coast is becoming increasingly renowned as a centre of biodiversity richness. The region is diverse in natural resources with unique flora and fauna. Key features of this diversity are the most significant loggerhead turtle population in Australia. In fact, Moreton Bay Marine Park, (which stretches 125 km from Caloundra on the Sunshine Coast to the Gold Coast) has Australia’s most extensive seagrass; mangroves and salt marsh; nursery areas for diverse fish and shell fish populations; approximately 50,000 migrating birds (of which 34 species dependent on the Bay for survival); six of the world’s seven turtle populations, and over 600 dugongs.
The Sunshine Coast is recognised as one of the fastest growing regions in Australia, with an increasing number of people moving to the region from Queensland, inter-state and from overseas. The region has a subtropical climate and its coastal regions and waterways represent complex ecosystems with unique biodiversity and high conservation value. The Sunshine Coast is also home to a number of turtle species, predominately the Loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) and less frequently, the Green turtle (Chelonia mydas). These turtles nest on Sunshine Coast beaches, often producing on average 100-130 eggs per individual nest. Currently, a number of threats to turtles exist. These include:
- The legal and illegal consumption/collection of turtle meat, eggs and shells.
- Incidental capture and habitat destruction associated with commercial fishing industries.
- Coastal development resulting in the destruction of nesting habitat and degradation of near-shore waters.
- Marine pollution generated from human land and marine activities.
- Climate change, which may impact on the natural sex ratios of hatchling.
On the Sunshine Coast, foxes present a major threat to sea turtles at the egg and hatchling stages.

The increased predation on turtle nests by foxes and other impacts to their survival pose a serious risk to the survival of these marine creatures. In fact, the Green and Loggerhead turtle are listed as endangered by the IUCN red List of Threatened Species (http://www.iucnredlist.org/).

The success of this programme to date has been instrumental in the management and conservation of marine turtles. Volunteers were positive that their contribution to Turtlecare would make a difference for the conservation and management of turtles. Moreover, the capacity to access relevant training and information that was a direct relevance to their volunteering was critical to increase their skill base [Principle 7, Accessible information and tools][Principle 10, Proactive learning].
 
The methods used throughout the programme focused on a range of informal settings, as well as engaging the various volunteers with expert practitioners and management (e.g. Mon Repos Turtle Training and the Sunshine Coast Regional Council). For the purpose and context of this study, this was an important element in creating inclusiveness among the volunteers [Principle 1, Inclusiveness].  Moreover, the roles and tasks are equally shared by the volunteers and each volunteer has the opportunity to participate. This was important in creating a sense of empowerment and building respect, understanding and trust [Principle 8, Empowerment][Principle 2, Respect, understanding and trust].  Turtlecare volunteers are also highly aware of what is expected of them and what they can expect from management, suggesting a reciprocal flow of information and successful communication among volunteers and Turtlecare management [Principle 4, Communication][Principle 7, Accessible information and tools]. Moreover, the capacity of the volunteers to respond and take action to issues associated with turtle management suggests they are well-informed. This was also confirmed by the number of meetings that were organised by Turtlecare and the capacity of those meetings to allow for group participation and open communication [Principle 4, Communication][Principle 8, Empowerment].

The success of this project was assisted by a number of important strategies that brought together the community’s motivation to protect and conserve the local turtle population, and by building volunteer capacity to respond and take action through empowerment, equality, and leadership [Principle 8, Empowerment][Principle 9, Equity and consensus]. Furthermore, the involvement of management/training staff and volunteers as equal players in the project was essential for the diffusion and dissemination of information and helped facilitate the integration of all the program components [Principle 1, Inclusiveness][Principle 5, Joint ownership][Principle 8, Empowerment].

The role of volunteers being collectively involved in the decision making process on the project’s development is also essential to understanding volunteers concerns and subsequent needs. This creates an engagement that is built on trust and learning and aids in the partners working together to achieve common goals [Principle 2, Respect, understanding and trust][Principle 5, Joint ownership]. Moreover, the volunteers should be recognised for their efforts and given the appropriate feedback regarding the outcomes arising from their efforts. 

In summary, the conservation and management of turtles on the Sunshine Coast requires the ongoing support from Turtlecare management and volunteers working collectively without constraint. Commitment to the project and its outcomes is enhanced by acknowledging participation among the volunteers, providing feedback, and building trust, respect and reciprocal leadership to promote an ongoing learning process that integrates effectively in conservation and management processes.