Green sea turtle (Chelonia midas) at Low Isles

Here’s another one of my favourite photos from the past (click the photo for a larger version). It was taken off the Low Isles on a trip out on Quicksilver’s Wavedancer. Snorkelling at the Low Isles is very good, with lots of turtles (mainly green and hawksbill), great soft corals, and all the fish you would expect. The only problem is that visibility can be a bit low due to its proximity to the mainland. If you want to see turtles, it’s the best location I’ve been to yet.

You will notice that the green sea turtle isn’t actually green. It gets its common name from the colour of its fat, and I’m not in a rush to photograph that. Unfortunately green sea turtles, like many species of turtle, are endangered. Their main threat is, of course, man. Many are killed as bycatch in fishing nets and on longlines, other die after ingesting rubbish such as plastic bags and cigarette butts, and others are hunted as food.

Some turtle links:

• Cape York Turtle Rescue in Mapoon
• Australian Seabird Rescue in Ballina operates turtle rescue and rehabilitation facilities
• Sea World Research and Rescue on the Gold Coast
• Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) in Townsville

Unfortunately the Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre doesn’t have a website.