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!
Caretta caretta (Loggerhead Sea Turtle) Photo taken by User:Strobilomyces at Océanopolis, Brest, France on 17th April 2006
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?
While fishing off the entrance to Swan Bay last Thursday (5/4/12) we drifted over a sea turtle feeding in the grass beds. Water depth of 3M. What a fantastic sight. First turtle I have ever seen in PPB. Estimate the shell was just under 1m in length.
Wow! Thanks for letting us know about this one Steve. The 3 species that could rarely turn up in the Bay are loggerheads and green turtles (which both grow up to 1m) and leatherbacks (which are even bigger). Would love to hear if you noted any other distinguishing features.
Hi BayKeeper, I have surfed a few websites to help me identify what species of turtle I saw. My recollection was it had a tinge of green on the shell which also looked smooth. My guess -a green turtle. It was only a fleeting glimpse as we drifted over her while she was feeding on the bottom. She looked up, saw the boat and took off at a great rate of knots. An hour or so earlier we did see a “head” break the surface about 100m from the boat and take a breath. At the time I thought it might have been a seal but now I’m sure it was the turtle as I do recall saying to my fishing buddy that it looked a bit strange.
Thanks Steve. Sounds like a green turtle alright. Interesting that there were 2 green turtles washed up in the south of the Bay on the same day (August 21) last year (one found at Mt Martha and the other at Dromana). Their normal range is in the tropical and sub-tropical oceans but the prolonged La Nina event (and warmer sea surface temperatures) may have lead them further south. Well spotted!
My Dad just came around with a video of a sea turtle he took this morning under Mornington Pier. I think it’s a green sea turtle but could be a logger head. What an amazing sight at our door step!
Thanks for letting us know Zach. Sounds fascinating! Any chance of getting to see the video??
I was fishing yesterday just north of the Portsea Pier and noticed a turtle swim by underneath the boat. I couldn’t tell you what sort of turtle it was, but it’s shell was about 1m in length and it looked to have something on its back, like weed or moss-like stuff! Sorry I can’t be more descriptive but it was very interesting to see such a beautiful animal in the bay! Thought you’d appreciate the sighting!
Thanks Chris. I guess the warmer sea surface temperatures since La Nina kicked in in 2009 have increased the chances of tropical species straying further south. Let’s hope they finding a suitable feed!
A sea turtle about 600mm long washed up 100 metres west of Rosebud Pier yesterday, 8/8/2012 about 3p.m., barely alive and bleeding slightly from a back fliipper. Did appear to be from the species in above photo.