Turtles come out of shells for nesting

Vehicles accessing Cable Beach will again be managed during turtle nesting season with night-time closures from the start of October.

The Cable Beach north access ramp will be closed to vehicles between 8pm and 6am each day during the turtle nesting season from October 1, 2017 to February 28, 2018.

Cable Beach will also be closed to vehicles two hours either side of high tides of 9m or more.

Acting Broome Shire President, Harold Tracey, said the gate installed at the Cable Beach amphitheatre access ramp would be locked during the temporary closures.

“The vehicle closure times are primarily at night and during the period when the beach is least used and turtle nesting season is under way,” Cr Tracey said.

The main species nesting on Cable Beach is the Flatback Turtle, which is threatened and protected under WA legislation.

Mr Tracey said they generally nest at the top of the beach above the high tide mark where their nests can be damaged by vehicles compacting sand and crushing nests.

“Wheel ruts can also prevent hatchlings making their way to the water, and vehicle lights

can disturb and confuse hatchlings,” he said.

The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attraction’s Yawuru Rangers will also put protection signage at the front of turtle nests to help raise awareness about turtles nesting on Cable Beach.

More information on vehicle access and driving techniques during turtle nesting season is available on the Shire website at www.broome.wa.gov.au.