Call for citizen scientists to monitor threatened turtle species on NSW beaches | New South Wales

The discovery of the first sea turtle nest during the breeding season prompted a rescue mission and launched a campaign to protect an endangered species.

The nest, discovered recently on the NSW mid-north coast, was too close to the water’s edge and the eggs had to be moved to prevent them from being flooded by waves and tides.

Loggerhead turtles are endangered, with very few nesting females in NSW, making every egg precious. Green turtles are listed as a vulnerable species.

Merryn Dunleavy, from TurtleWatch NSW, said every reported nest would be saved “and the engagement and care of our coastal communities will be vital to ensuring these nests survive”.

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“We’re asking beachgoers to become citizen scientists and monitor local beaches along the NSW coast, from Tweed to Batemans Bay, for nesting sea turtles,” she said.

“Walk at your local beach early in the morning along the high tide line – as sea turtles typically nest overnight, from dusk to dawn – looking for turtle tracks in the sand.”

After the first nest was spotted by a member of the public, trained and licensed TurtleWatch staff carefully placed the eggs into one of the refrigerated incubators used during last season’s successful incubation.

Last season, a record 18 sea turtle nests successfully hatched.

Earlier in 2025, ex-tropical cyclone Alfred reshaped large areas of the New South Wales north coast, leading to the loss of many sandy beaches.

Some dunes have been reduced by several meters, reducing suitable nesting habitat by creating steep drop-offs that nesting females cannot climb.

Thanks to the Turtle Team’s vigilance in February, National Parks and Wildlife Service and TurtleWatch staff rescued more than 1,000 eggs from nine nests before the hurricane.

After hatching, they were released back to their original nesting sites, with 1,020 free-swimming hatchlings.

Prompt reporting of turtle tracks, low-lying nests and community awareness are key to protecting eggs and giving them the best chance of successfully hatching.

The tracks are usually between 80 and 100 cm wide and can sometimes be confused with tire tracks.

TurtleWatch needs volunteers to help with the nesting season, which runs from November to March along the New South Wales coast.