Port Hedland turns off lights for turtle season

Lights along Sutherland Street Port Hedland have been switched off to reduce distractions for Port Hedland’s flatback turtle hatchlings in an ongoing partnership between the Town of Port Hedland, Horizon Power, Watercorp and Care for Hedland.

Mayor Kelly Howlett said that Civic Centre lights, lawn lights and streetlights have been switched off for the duration of turtle season.

Mayor Howlett stated “this will assist with the natural hatching process of our local flatback turtles who are very sensitive to light and get easily distracted.

“During the nesting process, adult turtles get disorientated by light which can lead to unsuccessful nest building and laying of eggs; and later in the season, hatchlings are confused by light and may be unable to find their way to the ocean.

“That’s why we’ve worked with Horizon Power to reduce the street lighting in the area of Cemetery Beach and Pretty Pool.

“At the start of October, Water Corporation switched off the Koombana Lookout Water Tower lights in readiness for another turtle season.

“Streetlights from Crawford to Stevens Street Port Hedland have been switched off.

“It’s also a timely reminder that torches and flash photography are not allowed on the beach during the turtle season.

“The presence of flatback turtles provides our community the opportunity to witness this unique hatchling event and to become actively involved in contributing to the monitoring of the protected species.

Horizon Power’s Retail Manager Rachel Clarke said Horizon Power were keen to support Port Hedland community initiatives that contribute to the environment, especially those surrounding the protection of the Flatback turtles in Port Hedland.

Clarke added “we believe our role in communities does not stop with the tangible assets we create and upgrade, such as new power stations and upgraded networks. The community-based turtle monitoring program is an essential program that we are happy to be able to help in this small way.”

Care For Hedland Morning Turtle Program Coordinator Rachael Wauchope said that turtle season is also a timely reminder that torches and flash photography are not allowed on the beach, stating “the presence of flatback turtles provides our community the opportunity to witness this unique hatchling event and to become actively involved in contributing to the monitoring of the protected species.

The Care for Hedland Turtle Monitoring Program is part of a wider turtle monitoring project encompassing nesting rookeries from Shark Bay in the Gascoyne region of Western Australia, up to the Kimberley. Flatback sea turtles nest only on Australian beaches and have the shortest migratory range of all sea turtles.

The Town of Port Hedland encourages everyone to follow Care for Hedland’s Turtle Watching Code of Conduct and participate in positive methods of human interaction with the species and adhere to best practice guidelines for turtle watching. 

Click here for more information on the Care for Hedland Turtle Monitoring Program.

21st October 2015 - MON REPOS TURTLE CENTRE’S MAKEOVER IN TIME FOR TURTLE SEASON

27th August 2012 - MAJOR WATERFRONT PROJECT PLANNED FOR PORT HEDLAND FORESHORE