Welcome to the inaugural Moreton Bay Turtle Symposium, an engaging day of discussion and discovery. Moreton Bay’s unique biodiversity is in the spotlight.
Notably, more visitors flock to this region than the Great Barrier Reef, making it imperative that we protect and preserve this unique marine ecosystem for generations to come.
This seminal event is a collaboration between Rotary Club of Redcliffe Sunrise, its Environmental Sustainability Rotary Action Group (ESRAG Moreton Bay), REF Environmental and Bribie Island Turtle Trackers, four environmentally focused organisations committed to safeguarding our coastal ecosystem with its estuarine and marine habitats and the community of living organisms living there.
Our first ever Moreton Bay Turtle Symposium features a stellar lineup of speakers, including Professor Col Limpus, the founder of the popular Mon Repos Turtle Rookery on the Bundaberg coast and world expert in turtle research and conservation, who dedicated his life’s work to protecting the future of turtle populations on the Queensland coast.
Professor Col Limpus is supported by a diverse group of accomplished presenters, comprising turtle trackers, turtle carers, turtle researchers, environmental practitioners and government representatives:
- Leigh Warnaminde (Coolum and North Shore Turtle Carers)
- Diane Oxenford (Bribie Island Turtle Trackers)
- Sherida Holford (Stradbroke Island Turtle Carers)
- Dr Melissa Staines (Turtle Researcher)
- Siobhan Houlihan (Sea World)
- Bob Crudgington (REF Environmental)
- Robbie Porter (OzFish)
- Juanita Renwick (Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation)
- Jess Gorring (City of Moreton Bay Council)
Guest speakers will use a Pecha Kucha style format when presenting. Highlights will include the unveiling of the crucial relationship between turtles and Moreton Bay’s marine habitats and the sharing of the latest data on marine turtle populations and conservation strategies.
Kate Hofmeister (Turtle Care Conservation Officer Sunshine Coast Council) will facilitate the day’s activities.
A moderator will lead a panel discussion on a turtle-related topic with selected guest speakers interacting and sharing their different perspectives. There will be opportunities for questions and comments from the audience.
The environmental credentials of REF Environmental, and Bribie State High School will be showcased through poster displays in the foyer.
With turtle nesting along the Queensland coast surging by an astounding 125% this past season, the urgency to raise awareness about these ancient mariners has never been greater. Climate change and human activity continue to pose significant challenges, making it crucial to bring together experts, conservationists, and the community for the inaugural Moreton Bay Turtle Symposium.
THIS IS A TICKETED EVENT — $25.00 pp.
Please note: The price of your ticket contributes to the cost of your food and the venue hire.
FURTHER READING:
Photograph: Green Turtle stranded on Queens Beach South. Suzie Bedford texting stranding data to DETSI. 16 January 2025. Photographer Peter Row.