Green Turtle - profile

Indicative distribution

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Key:

known

predicted

The areas shown in pink and/purple are the sub-regions where the species or community is known or predicted to occur. They may not occur thoughout the sub-region but may be restricted to certain areas. ( click here to see geographic restrictions). The information presented in this map is only indicative and may contain errors and omissions.

Scientific name: Chelonia mydas

Conservation status in NSW: Vulnerable

Commonwealth status: Vulnerable

Profile last updated: 20 Feb 2019

Description

A large sea-turtle that grows up to 1 m in length. Its heart-shaped shell is olive-green, brown and black, and the scales on the side of the face and limbs have distinctive pale edges.

Distribution

Widely distributed in tropical and sub-tropical seas.Usually found in tropical waters around Australia but also occurs in coastal waters of NSW, where it is generally seen on the north or central coast, with occasional records from the south coast.

Habitat and ecology

Ocean-dwelling species spending most of its life at sea.
Carnivorous when young but as adults they feed only on marine plant material.
Eggs laid in holes dug in beaches throughout their range.
Scattered nesting records along the NSW coast.

Regional distribution and habitat

Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.

Ocean

Threats

Collision with boats and other marine traffic causing injury or mortality
Entanglement and bycatch in shark nets, traps, lines and other fishing gear causing injury or mortality
Entanglement in or ingestion of marine debris
Predation of nests by foxes, cats, pigs, or dogs
Recreational disturbance (e.g. 4WD, people, dogs) impacting turtle nests by trampling, crushing, or vandalism
Lack of knowledge of important habitat areas in NSW including nesting beaches
Lack of successful nests
Lack of knowledge of species populations and threats impacting the species in NSW
Increased temperatures, sea level, and extreme weather events from climate change impacting the species distribution and breeding success
Artificial light impacting hatchling behaviour and survival
Climate change (inundation and sea-level rise)
Increased diseases (e.g. coccidiosis) impacting population health

Recovery strategies

A targeted strategy for managing this species has been developed under the Saving Our Species program; click here for details. For more information on the Saving Our Species program click here

Activities to assist this species

Take care to avoid hitting turtles with boats or propellers when at sea. Boats with propellors should maintain a safe distance from turtles at sea.
Avoid discarding any debris at sea.
Control feral pigs and foxes in coastal areas.
Protect nesting turtles and nest sites from disturbance.
Report any nesting sea-turtles to the OEH.
Support the use of turtle-exclusion devices on trawling nets.

Information sources

Cogger, H.G., Cameron, E., Sadlier, R. and Eggler, P. (1993) The Action Plan for Australian Reptiles. (Australian Museum, Sydney)
Cogger. H.G. (2014) Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia. 7th Edition. (CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood.)
Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water NSW (2010) Northern Rivers Regional Biodiversity Management Plan.
Limpus, C.J. (2008) A biological review of Australian marine turtle species. 2. Green turtle, Chelonia mydas (Linnaeus). (Environmental Protection Agency, Brisbane)
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (2002) Threatened Species of the Lower North Coast of New South Wales. (NSW NPWS, Hurstville)
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (2002) Threatened Species of the Upper North Coast of NSW: Fauna. (NSW NPWS, Coffs Harbour)

IBRA Bioregion	IBRA Subregion	Known or predicted	Geographic restrictions region

Ocean	Batemans Shelf	Known	None
Ocean	Hawkesbury Shelf	Known	None
Ocean	Manning Shelf	Known	None
Ocean	South Pacific Ocean	Known	None
Ocean	Tweed-Moreton	Known	None
Ocean	Twofold Shelf	Known	None
Ocean - Other State	Northern Australian Coastal Waters	Known	None

Images

Green Turtle Image 1 of 3.
View slideshow.

Related information

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