Close encounter of the turtle kind

Whale sightings from Carrum to Blairgowrie have caused quite a buzz in recent weeks, but then Judy Muir (of Polperro Dolphin Swims) reported swimming with a Loggerhead Turtle (Caretta caretta) during her regular dip off Blairgowrie. That had to take the prize!

Although Loggerheads (‘boofheads’ to their mates) are found in the Atlantic , Pacific and Indian Oceans as well as the Mediterranean. But few people have the privilege of meeting one on their occasional visit to Port Philliip Bay. Although they are believed to live more than 60 years and produce an average of 110 eggs per clutch, the species is Endangered, largely due to getting caught up in fishing gear such as trawls, longlines and gill nets. Mistaking floating plastic bags for jellyfish (a favourite turtle tucker) is also taking its toll.

The good news is that there are a heap of international strategies aiming to protect Loggerheads; and more and more people are realising that it’s really not that hard to avoid polluting our waterways with plastic gunk. Aren’t they?