Marine species conservation

Leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea)

Marine turtles in Australia

Conservation status

National: Endangered
EPBC Act Status and Documents - Dermochelys coriacea - Leatherback turtle

Marine turtles are also protected under state and Northern Territory legislation. Please refer to the relevant state/Northern Territory Department website for further information.

Distribution and habitats

In Australia, leatherback turtles occur in tropical and temperate waters. Leatherback turtles are most commonly reported feeding in coastal waters in central eastern Australia (from the Sunshine Coast in southern Queensland to central New South Wales); south-east Australia (from Tasmania, Victoria and eastern South Australia) and in south-western Western Australia. They are also regularly seen in southern Australian. Most leatherback turtles living in Australian waters migrate to breed in neighbouring countries, particularly in Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands.

Breeding areas and nesting seasons

No large rookeries have been recorded in Australia. Scattered nesting has been reported along the south Queensland coast from Bundaberg to Round Hill Head and along the coast of Arnhem Land from Coburg Peninsula to Maningrida, including Crocker Island. Some nesting has occurred in northern New South Wales near Ballina. However the last recorded nesting in Queensland was in 1996.

In Queensland, the most frequently used nesting beaches by leatherback turtles are Wreck Rock and Rules Beach.

Breeding in south-eastern Queensland occurs mostly during December and January.

Diet

The leatherback turtle is carnivorous and feeds mainly in the open ocean on jellyfish and other soft-bodied invertebrates.

Leatherback turtle carapace

Resources

EPBC Act

EPBC species lists, permits and application forms:

International agreements