Sick sea turtles washing up on Port Stephens beaches

MULTIPLE sea turtles have been found washed up on beaches between Anna Bay and Hawks Nest in recent weeks.

Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters has confirmed that up to 16 turtles have now been found – some dead, others alive and in distress – around the region in the last three weeks alone.

One such turtle was discovered earlier this month by Tea Gardens local Carolyn Fredericks at Bennetts Beach, Hawks Nest.

“I was walking along Bennetts Beach when I saw something in the water from a distance,” Carolyn told NOTA.

“It disappeared under the waves a few times, then I realised it was getting pummeled.”

Concerned for the animal’s health, Caroyln waded through the giant waves and strong winds to help the turtle to the shore.

Upon reaching the sand, Carolyn noticed a large hole, roughly six centimetres across, in the turtle’s back shell.

She was advised by wildlife rescue organisation WIRES to get the turtle to her car.

She then met WIRES volunteers at Raymond Terrace, who took the turtle to Irukandji at Anna Bay for treatment.

Carolyn was also asked to name the animal, which she called ‘Rikki’ after the memory of a past holiday.

“The WIRES people said the recent murky water has allowed some parasites or flukes to grow and get into the turtles’ brains,” Carolyn said.

“They have counted up to 15 sick turtles in a short period of time, as well as other creatures.”

Ryan Pereira, owner of Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters, told NOTA that the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) and the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) are currently working to identify the cause.

“The excess of rain causes all sorts of events, toxins in water, as well as issues that reptiles do not tolerate,” he said.

“Especially around the estuaries, where a lot of human building has gone on, it can disturb the concentration of acid sulphate soils.

“You get massive run-offs into the water affecting the environment, and we are not sure if it is bacterial or toxins.”

If you find a beached turtle, Ryan recommends contacting NPWS or the team at Irukandji.

“If you see one, please do not try to put it back into the water as they try to beach themselves when they are sick,” he said.

“We [Irukandji] can run tests to see what is really going on, and the more information we have the better for determining what is killing them.”

Rikki has sadly succumbed to her injuries, which were extensive, including a lung virus and parasites that entered the hole in her shell, which may have originally been caused by an impact with a boat or personal watercraft previously.

By Thomas O’KEEFE