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AusTurtle Inc is a major supporter of sea turtle research at Bare Sand Island, Northern Territory.
About the project The project is run by Michael Guinea of Charles Darwin University, Darwin (contact details below). 
Location
Environment
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 Foraging Green and Hawksbill Sea Turtles
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Wildlife Observations - Volunteers are required for the 2012 research expeditions between 11 June and 30 July 2012. There are seven 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. The advantages of staying for two weeks include: developing a synergy with the island, the tides and the turtles; having greater participation in collecting and collating data; enjoying the company of other volunteers for even longer. Costs, Registration and
Pre-payment The costs for 2012 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: Not included are: Trip 1 Departure Date: Monday 11 June 2012 Return Date: 18 June 2012 Volunteers: Your name will be listed here after your successful application.
Plus Mick Guinea and Assistant Trip 2 Departure Date: Monday 18 June 2012 Return Date: 25 June 2012 Volunteers: Your name will be listed here after your successful application.
Plus Mick Guinea and Assistant Trip 3 Departure Date: Monday 25 June 2012 Volunteers:Your name will be listed here after your successful application.
Plus Mick Guinea and Assistant Trip 4 Departure Date: Monday 2 July 2012 Volunteers:Your name will be listed here after your successful application.
Plus Mick Guinea and Assistant Trip 5 Departure Date: Monday 9 July 2012 Volunteers:Your name will be listed here after your successful application.
Plus Team Leader and Assistant Trip 6 Departure Date: Monday 16 July 2012 Volunteers:Your name will be listed here after your successful application.
Plus Mick Guinea and Assistant Trip 7 Departure Date: Monday 23 July 2012 Volunteers:Your name will be listed here after your successful application.
Plus Mick Guinea and Assistant 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. What to expect 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 consisting of meats and breads with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables. Meals are prepared fresh daily using fresh ingredients. Specialised food requirements are catered for providing sufficient notice is provided on your application form. 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
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 conditioner, swimmers, camera, sleeping bag, water bottle, torch or head spotlight, fishing gear.
For further information on the research trip, download the volunteer manual:
Or have a look at a review of the research trip in the Australian Geographic:
Contact details Dr. Michael Guinea |
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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.
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. 
