Flatback Turtles of Keppel Bay

Flatback turtles (Natator depressus) are endemic to the continental shelf of northern Australia and are one of the least-studied marine turtle species globally (Figure 1) (Limpus et al., 2020; Pendoley et al., 2014; Whittock et al., 2014). The eastern Australia genetic stock nests along the tropical coastline between Townsville and Bundaberg from November to February, with peak nesting activity occurring in late November/early December (Limpus, 2007; Limpus et al., 2020). The condition of nesting beaches and adjacent coastal waters is critical for the turtles' survival and reproductive success. Understanding where specific nesting locations are and how turtles move between them is critical for their conservation (FitzSimmons et al., 2019; Heddle et al., 2024). In Queensland, Peak Island and Wild Duck Island support some of the largest flatback turtle rookeries, highlighting Keppel Bay as an ecologically significant habitat for this species (Heddle et al., 2024; Limpus, 2007).