What’s Threatening Lake Macquarie’s Green Sea Turtles?

Did you know that right here in Lake Macquarie, our local sea turtles are at risk. It’s not just something that’s happening as part of climate change that you see on the Great Barrier Reef but also here. There are at least three reasons why our sea turtles are being impacted so badly. So what’s happening and what can we do about it?

I’m chatting with Tania Rossiter from Hunter Wildlife Rescue which is an organisation that spent more than 45 years rescuing and rehabilitating native wildlife. Tania is one of the many volunteers who are advocating for Lake Macquarie’s endangered sea turtles. Let’s dive in and find out how you can help protect these incredible creatures in our own backyard.

Overview of the Conversation

Photo credit: Tania Rossiter

History of Sea Turtles in Lake Macquarie

“There’s a sea turtle corridor pretty much from Dora Creek up to about Fennell Bay”

The impact of power station closure on the green sea turtles

“we’ve had quite the conversation about the impacts or the possible impacts [of the closure] …and they (Origin Energy) are keen to do what it takes to make sure that the impact on the biodiversity in the area is minimised”

Consequences of extreme weather events

“What people don’t realise is the devastation that you see on land [after extreme weather] is also underwater”

Photo credit: Tania Rossiter

Consequences of human activity, such as plastic pollution, fishing, jet skiing

“Turtles are like the canary in the coal mine, so they get affected a lot sooner than other species.”

“…everything we do makes an impact…you just have to think about what impact you want to make. You can’t not make an impact. So let’s make it a good one for the environment. Because by making good choices for the environment, it’s making good choices for us as well”

In our conversation, Tania spoke quite emotionally about the impact that a storm has on the turtle’s ecosystems.

Photo credit: Tania Rossiter

“I actually went in and took photos and video of what it looks like after [a big storm event]. And it’s absolutely devastating. Like it was this vibrant ecosystem, absolutely gone. Rock, bare rock, bodies of dead animals everywhere. Absolutely horrific.

I’ve dived and snorkelled that particular area since the 1980s, so I have a huge amount of photos and footage from that area. The devastation is just unbelievable.

Because the consequences [of a storm event] are a bit further down the track, it’s missed often. And it takes years for it to recover”.

This episode of The ReNewy Living Podcast was recorded on Awabakal country. I wish to acknowledge the traditional owners of the land and waters in the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie region of New South Wales.

I hope you’re feeling more confident about doing better for our people and planet by taking a start where you live approach to living sustainably. If this episode has spurred you into action, please feel free to share the episode with your friends. It would mean the world to me!

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