Date: June 23, 2017
Source: James Cook University
James Cook University marine scientists are calling for an
extension of go-slow zones in turtle habitats to reduce boat strikes on the
threatened creatures.
JCU's Dr Takahiro Shimada was part of a joint team from JCU
and the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection that created and
implemented the study. They tracked 18 green and 20 loggerhead turtles, in some
cases for more than two-and-a-half years.
He said the team concentrated on the Moreton Bay area of
Brisbane, as this is where most turtle strikes happen in Queensland. Dr Shimada
said that many shallow and all deeper areas in the bay are not go- slow zones.
"At the time the regulations were brought into effect, it
wasn't possible to track turtle habitats as accurately as we can now. So we set
out to document where the turtles actually are," he said.
The scientists found the turtles they tracked were present
throughout the bay, and stayed mostly in water less than five metres deep.
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