Western Cape Turtle Threat Abatement Alliance

The alliance was formally established in May 2013 following 12 months of regional discussions for the future of turtle management on Cape York. Land and Sea Managers recognised that local coordination led to effective outcomes for turtle conservation and would be further enhanced by regional coordination.

WCTTAA’s vision is “to seek to efficiently manage threats to coastal habitats and enhance opportunities for nesting marine turtle populations of the Western Cape”. The mission of WCTTAA states they are “a partnership of on ground land and sea owners and managers, formed to set priorities, seek solutions and share knowledge to maximise the use of resources for coastal management on Western Cape York.”

They will do this by directing funding into priority areas; undertaking regional coordination of marine turtle work programs; training; data collection and analysis; and recognition and utilisation of local expertise.

Each of the Land and Sea Programs are already stretched to capacity, and a full time Coordinator was employed in March 2014 with funding support from Cape York NRM and Ghost Nets Australia. This position is hosted through Cape York NRM.

WCTTAA takes a truly bottom up approach to threat abatement through the coordination of on-ground works, and sharing of resources. Aboriginal Councils and Land Trusts support and direct decision-making of WCTTAA with work implemented by Ranger Groups. Resources are distributed where they are needed, through agreement of the WCTTAA membership. WCTTAA members have strategic representation on the Turtle and Dugong Taskforce and the group’s direction is in line with Queensland indigenous sea country policy.