Words: Kerri Woodcock | Photo: Kerry Trapnell
In early March a delegation from Western Cape Turtle Threat Abatement Alliance (WCTTAA) travelled to Canberra to present the highlights of the Nest to Ocean Turtle Protection Program (NTOTPP), in a meeting to review the success of the program.
The WCTTAA delegation included Coordinator Kerri Woodcock, Pormpuraaw Senior Ranger Clinton Williams (Holroyd), and Cape York NRM Operations Manager Peta-Marie Standley.
The group reported on the positive impact that the delivery of the NTOTPP is having on western Cape York - showing the dramatic reduction of predated turtle nests which has resulted from coordinated pig culls, and the use of nest protection devices.
Through the Nest to Ocean Turtle Protection Program, rangers have been able to monitor the impact of their work to show these results.
Cape York NRM Operations Manager Peta Standley said that Clinton and Kerri did a fantastic job representing WCTTAA and Cape York.
“Clinton showed the positive impacts that Pormpuraaw is having on-ground through their NTOTPP delivery, while Kerri presented the overarching results achieved by the Western Cape Turtle Threat Abatement Alliance with the support of the NTOTPP” Ms Standley said.
Queensland Government’s Geoff Lundie- Jenkins and Mike Gregory played a key
role in facilitating WCTTAA’s presence at the meeting, and provided an overview of
the NTO Program that has been delivered in priority locations across Queensland.
Cape York was also represented by Aak Puul Ngantam (APN) General Manager Sandy Whyte and CSIRO’s Dr Justin Perry, who presented the innovative approaches to turtle conservation in the Southern Wik homelands, and the outcomes from their Nest to Ocean investment.
Funding announcements about the future of the Nest to Ocean Turtle Protection Program are expected soon.
WCTTAA is supported by Cape York NRM and is funded by the Nest to Ocean Turtle Protection Program, a joint initiative of the Australian and Queensland Governments.
