PO Box 34 U
Charles Darwin University
NT 0815 Australia
Email: austurtle@austurtle.org.au
 
Promoting Sea Turtle Research & Conservation

AusTurtle Inc is a major supporter of sea turtle research at Bare Sand Island, Northern Territory.

A large population of flatback sea turtles nest at Bare Sand Island during the winter months. During this time, researchers and volunteers gather data on the nesting turtles to estimate population size, monitor abundance over time and to determine any threats to survival. This research has been running since 1996 and has identified an important nesting population of flatback sea turtles. Funding for the research has always been very restricted creating limitations to data collection and the length of the field season. With increasing support from AusTurtle over the next 5 years, it is hoped that research will be able to be expanded to include electronic tagging of nesting turtles, satellite tracking of nesting turtles and undertaking extensive temperature studies on the nests in situ. With this additional support it will create an ideal work environment for student projects, further enhancing our knowledge of the species and the research undertaken.

The waters around Bare Sand Island support significant numbers of foraging green and hawksbill turtles. Both species are vulnerable to extinction under Australian classification (EPBC Act 1999). Green turtles are internationally classified as endangered and hawksbill turtles are critically endangered internationally (IUCN Red List). Annually researchers monitor green and hawksbill turtle populations by capture of turtles while they are feeding on the reef. This research will provide population estimates, relative species abundance and identify threats.

About the project
Charles Darwin University in Darwin, Australia has conducted a sea turtle research project to Bare Sand Island since 1989. This project is a scientific study to examine the biology and ecology of nesting and foraging sea turtles. This will help with sea turtle conservation regionally, nationally and internationally.

The project is run by Michael Guinea of Charles Darwin University, Darwin (contact details below).

Location
Bare Sand Island is situated at the end of a chain of islands in northern Fog Bay, about 50 km west of Darwin. The island is approximately 1.8 km in circumference. Bare Sand Island sits upon a rocky reef, and as the name suggests is almost all sand with very little vegetation and almost no shade.

Environment
Bare Sand Island is mostly sand and consists of low dunes sparsely vegetated with grasses and herbs. One tree grows on the island but it is unsuitable for shade as it is a sacred site. The island is 1.8 km in circumference and takes about 40 min to walk around.

The region is subject to a large tidal range (up to 8 m) and the island is therefore subject to strong currents. Strong winds can occur in the area and this makes camping uncomfortable in the sandy conditions.

The nearest settlement is a house on Dum in Mirrie Island (over 10 km away). Otherwise the research camping is fairly isolated with the next community over 20 km to the south.

Research activities
Nesting Flatback Sea Turtles -
Activities will be conducted at night and early morning and will include checking the beach for tracks, tagging and measuring adult females, counting and measuring eggs.

Foraging Green and Hawksbill Sea Turtles -
Activities may be conducted during the day and can include catching juvenile turtles on the reef flat using nets and by hand, tagging and measuring all turtles, helping will specific studies on blood chemistry, diet analysis and movements (using tracking equipment).

Wildlife Observations -
Other interesting fauna visit the island and its surrounding waters. These are opportunistically studied. They include sea and shore birds, dolphins and dugongs.

Dates
Update on trips:

By request the first trip 16 June has been split to make two one-week trips i.e. 16 June to 23 June and 23 June to 30 June. This is to provide more opportunities for volunteers to participate.

Volunteers are required for the 2008 research expeditions between 16 June and 14 July 2008. There are three separate research trips. There are positions for eight volunteers on each trip. There is a cost for each trip to cover food and transport expenses.

Costs, Registration and Pre-payment
It is necessary to register your intention to fill a volunteer position in the trips. This can be done by checking the vacancies below and emailing your intention to Michael Guinea (contact details below).  A pre-payment deposit of $50.00 will ensure that your registration is confirmed and your name will appear below in the appropriate position for the nominated trip. The balance of your payment should be made on arrival in Darwin and before the trip. If you cancel your registration your pre-payment deposit will be used to support the sea turtle research conducted on Bare Sand Island by AusTurtle Inc and acknowledged on this web site.

The costs for 2008
Full time students = $20.00 per day (i.e. 14 days X $20 = $280.00).
Non-students but AusTurtle Inc members = $30.00 per day (i.e. 14 days X $30 = $420.00).
Members of corporations = $50.00 per day (i.e. 14 days X $50 = $700.00).

A transport surcharge will be required for shorter trips to cover the cost of additional boat charges. This will be done in consultation with the boat operator.

Included in the cost are the following:
Transport within Darwin to shop for provisions.
Vehicle and boat transfer to and from Bare Sand Island
Food and accommodation on Bare Sand Island for two weeks

Not included are:
Food and accommodation in Darwin prior to and after the trip to Bare Sand Island.
Transport to and from the Airport / Railway station or Transit centre in Darwin.
Personal Insurance – volunteers are expected to have their own personal travel and health insurance. Personal expenses.

Trip 1a

Preparation Date: 14 June 2008

Departure Date: 16 June 2008

Return Date: 23 June 2008

Volunteers: Your name will be listed here after your successful application.

Plus Leader and Assistant

Trip 1b

Departure Date: 23 June 2008

Return Date: 30 June 2008

Volunteers: Your name will be listed here after your successful application.

Plus Leader and Assistant

Trip 2

Departure Date: 30 June 2008
Return Date: 14 July 2008

Volunteers:Your name will be listed here after your successful application.

Plus Leader and Assistant and NTP volunteer

These expeditions are open to anyone. Interested volunteers should complete a volunteer application form and contact Michael Guinea at Charles Darwin University on (08) 8946 6707.

All volunteers will be required to fill in an application form.

Volunteer form

Volunteer form

What to expect
This is a fun trip but requires hard work and long hours working under difficult conditions. Volunteers will help with all research activities during the expeditions. The island consists of very fine sand that gets everywhere when conditions are windy. It is difficult to keep it out of cloths, bags, tents etc.

There is a composting toilet and saltwater is used for bathing, dish and laundry washing. Freshwater is reserved for drinking and cooking. Food is basic with fresh food lasting for the first week. Meals for the second week will contain more dried and tinned produce. All volunteers will be required to participate in general camp duties including camp setup and maintenance and food preparation. The main camp will consist of a main tent/structure to store food and general gear. During the day shade is provided by a geodesic dome erected as a communal area.

What to bring
Remember it will be hot during the day and cold at night, there is limited shade and fine sand will get everywhere.

General - Hat, sunglasses, long sleeved shirt for sun protection, long sleeved shirt and pants to get wet, dive boots or old runners to get wet, water proof sunscreen or zinc cream, pull-over of jumper, personal toiletries, talcum powder, moisturiser, shampoo and conditoner, swimmers, camera, sleeping bag, water bottle, torch or head spotlight, fishing gear.

Volunteer Manual

Or have a look at a review of the research trip in the Australian Geographic:

Australian Geographic
September 2003 issue

Contact details
For more general information please contact Michael Guinea.

Dr. Michael Guinea
Faculty of Education, Health and Science
Charles Darwin University
Darwin, NT, Australia, 0909
Tel. +61 8 89466707      Fax +61 8 89466847
Email: michael.guinea@cdu.edu.au OR austurtle@austurtle.org.au