Sea turtles don’t spend their entire lives at sea. Females come ashore to nest, tying their fate to both the health of our oceans and coastlines.
As you stroll along the Strand or take a boat ride around Magnetic Island (Yunbenun), you may be lucky enough to spot one of the ocean’s ancient mariners, a sea turtle. These special encounters extend beyond the sea to land when determined female turtles heave themselves up the beach to lay their eggs.
The coastal area around Townsville is frequented by six of the world’s seven sea turtle species. Two species, the flatback and green sea turtle, regularly lay eggs on local beaches during the nesting season between October and March each year.

“Sea turtles are a valuable indicator species for the overall health of marine ecosystems,” explains Kara-Mae Coulter-Atkins, Executive Officer of the Healthy Waters Partnership.
“Over their lifetime, which can span 50 to 100 years, sea turtles interact with multiple marine habitats, including open ocean, coral reefs and coastal areas.
“A decline in sea turtle numbers often signals broader environmental issues, such as water pollution, habitat degradation or the growing threat of climate change.”
Climate change is having a profound impact on sea turtle populations, which are classified as endangered worldwide.
Turtles are remarkable navigators, returning to the same beach where they hatched decades earlier. Yet, rising sea levels are slowly eroding beaches and islands where they nest, and increasing sand temperatures are causing worrying changes in their reproductive patterns.
“Warmer sand temperatures are leading to a skewed hatchling sex ratio, with more females being born,” says Kara-Mae. “This shift could have long-term consequences for turtle populations if not addressed.
“For sea turtles to thrive, we need healthy oceans and coastlines.”
Ensuring the future of sea turtles requires nesting success today, and there’s hope. One exciting project underway, led by our partner Envite Environment, is focused on improving nesting sites on Magnetic Island.

Putting their flippers together
For over 15 years, the Magnetic Island Network for Turtles (MINT) and Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) have been collecting turtle nesting data on Magnetic Island. The extensive data collection has revealed a concerning link between the impacts of frequent climate extremes and reductions in turtle nesting success.
“As we face more frequent and intense climate events, we’re noticing that the sand temperature is staying hotter for longer, which is leading to increased hatchling mortality while they’re still in the nest, and we’re seeing a shift towards more female turtles being born,” says Natasha Rodwell from Envite Environment.
“To address these challenges, MINT and Envite Environment are working together on a critical study to identify which types of vegetation can provide better nesting conditions by lowering sand temperatures or, at the very least, maintain a temperature balance that supports both male and female hatchlings.”
The project, ‘Turtle friendly climate resilient coastlines,’ will create a coastal revegetation management tool to improve turtle nesting beaches and foster the natural resilience of the shoreline. It will also help reduce erosion of the coastal dunes.
“Historically, natural water flow replenished sand dunes and stabilised the coastline, but as urban development occurred on Magnetic Island, the natural supply of sand was interrupted leading to erosion and the loss of critical nesting habitat for turtles,” Natasha explains.
The outcomes of this research will guide future coastal restoration efforts at key nesting sites on Magnetic Island, ensuring that beaches continue to serve as safe, viable habitats for sea turtles.
Planting the seeds for success
The first planting session of the project kicked off with the sowing of native grasses and scramblers along Nelly Bay, a key nesting spot for sea turtles on Magnetic Island.
“Members of our Port team assisted Envite Environment in planting beach cottonwood and casuarina trees,” says Elaine Glen, Port of Townsville’s Manager Climate and Environment.
“The trees will grow into a sturdy windbreak, which is crucial for protecting the area. The cottonwood is particularly great for coastal areas - it can handle salt spray and provides much needed shade, which helps keep the nesting beaches cooler for turtle hatchlings.”
The Port of Townsville is supporting Envite Environment by funding the preparation, planting and care of up to 5,000 turtle-friendly stems, in nesting areas overrun by weeds. Weeds make it tough for sea turtles to dig the nests, forcing them to look for other places to lay their eggs.
“All of the plants Envite Environment are planting are native species that thrive in the Townsville Dry Tropics region,” continues Elaine.
“Since 2021, the Port has worked with several community partners to plant trees, grasses, and shrubs, as part of our community tree planting program, to support our local North Queensland communities.”
By teaming up with Envite Environment on this project, the Port is proud to support their stewardship efforts and ensure Magnetic Island remains a viable site for nesting sea turtles.

The project is a community initiative led by Envite Environment in collaboration with MINT, Townsville City Council and Queensland Parks and Wildlife. It is funded by the partnership between the Australia Government’s Reef Trust and the Great Barrier Reef Foundation under the Climate Accelerator Grant and also supported by Port of Townsville Limited.
The Healthy Waters Partnership provides a unique platform for collaboration amongst a range of parties spanning business, industry, research, education, community and all levels of government, who are passionate about healthy waters and the Townsville Dry Tropics region.