Coast KZN

State of the Coast: KZN
State of the Coast: KZN

State of the Coast: KwaZulu-Natal Chapter 1: Introduction & Background Chapter 2: Overarching Drivers Chapter 3: Climate Variability
Chapter 4: Coastal Environment Chapter 5: Estuarine Environment Chapter 6: Marine Environment Chapter 7: Human Environment Chapter 8: Economic Environment
Chapter 9: Governance Environment Chapter 10: Conclusions
The Profile of the KZN Coast
The Profile of the KZN Coast

Ugu Lwethu- Our Coast Defining the Coastal Zone The Physical and Coastal Environment Coastal and Marine Ecosystems
Coastal and Marine Species Migrations The Human Dimension Socio-Economic Uses of the Coast Commercial Resource Uses
Pressures and Threats Management of the Coastal and Marine Environments Understanding our Coast
Coastal access
Coastal access

Access RoutesBoat Launch SitesThe Human DimensionCoastal Access: Stats & Facts
Estuaries
Estuaries

What is an Estuary? Know your Estuaries Estuary Health and Conservation KZN Estuary Observer Programme
Historical Time Series Estuary Mouth Status Sand Mining
Recreation
Recreation

Fish TaggingAccess RoutesBlue Flag Beaches
Coastal risk and vulnerability
Coastal risk and vulnerability

Coastal Risk LinesExtreme EventsCoastal ErosionKZN Coastal Vulnerability IndexPollution
Coastal issues
Coastal issues

PollutionSand MiningCoastal ErosionNurdlesUPL Chemical Spill
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23 Jan 2021

It’s a one-in-one-thousand chance for North Coast loggerhead hatchlings

Juan Venter (North Coast Courier) Picture: SAAMBR. In 2019, as part of World Turtle Day, 106 rehabilitated loggerhead hatchlings were released back into the ocean after washing ashore. Releasing the hatchlings were Two Oceans aquarist Nick Spiby and uShaka Sea World aquarist Jerry Ntombela.

Only one-in-1 000 loggerhead hatchlings survive to maturity, marine studies have shown.

About 4 weeks ago, a wonderous sight greeted beachgoers who witnessed loggerhead turtles nesting along North Coast beaches, quite close to Ballito. While the exact locations have as best as possible been kept under wraps, the Courier spoke to Ann Kunz of the South African Association for Marine Biological Research (SAAMBR) to learn more about the species.

All of the salt water turtles found in South Africa are classified as endangered on the Red List of Threatened Species of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Established in 1964, the Red List has become the world’s most comprehensive information source on the global extinction risk status of animal, fungus and plant species.

A loggerhead turtle photographed by the South African Association for Marine Biological Research.

There are only 7 species of salt water turtle worldwide and 5 navigate our waters: the Green, Hawksbill, Loggerhead, Leatherback and Olive Ridley turtles. The Olive Ridley is rarely seen. The loggerhead and leatherback are the only turtles that nest on northern KwaZulu-Natal beaches.

Adult loggerhead turtles start arriving in November to mate and the females will then come ashore to lay their eggs at night.  Loggerheads breed on average every 12 to 17 days during the breeding season. Females will not breed again for another 2 to 4 years, but possibly up to 9 years. The egg clutches vary from 70 to 120, and take about 60 to 70 days to hatch.

The oceanic reptile always returns to, or near, the beach where they hatched, but human activity and resulting light pollution are disastrous for turtles, which is why we no longer see them as frequently along our coastline.

Rescued and rehabilitated, Herbie the loggerhead turtle was found entangled in shark nets in 2003. Taken into the care of SAAMBR, Herbie weighed only 14 kgs, but soon started eating her way to recovery. Estimated to have been around 8 years of age, Herbie was tagged and released – SAAMBR managed to track Herbie for 3 months before her tag stopped transmitting.
Photo: SAAMBR.

Other threats include poachers, dog walkers, ghost crabs and if they make it to the ocean, rough ocean currents.

Kunz said hatchlings naturally orientate towards light. At night the sources of natural light are starlight or moonlight.

“If there are lights from buildings or other human activities near the beach, this can disorientate hatchlings, which will head away from the water and instead move toward this light source,” she said.

In 2019, just over 100 loggerhead hatchlings were rescued by beachgoers. The hatchlings had washed ashore having unsuccessfully braved the ocean.

Herbie, fully rehabilitated and released back into the ocean at Isimangaliso Wetland Park on January 22 of 2020. Photo: SAAMBR.

They are thought to have become exhausted after getting caught in current gyres which spin off from the main body of the Agulhas current and move closer to the coast.

But what should you do if you come across a turtle in need?

“First of all, if you have a dog with you, keep it away from the turtle,” said Ann. “Do not allow the turtle or hatchling to be harassed or stressed further and avoid placing it back in water as it is probably exhausted and may struggle to keep its head above water in order to breathe.”

Ann suggested placing the turtle on a wet towel, and covering it from direct sunlight to avoid further dehydration.

“From there, it is as simple as phoning us and we will make sure the turtle gets the proper care it needs.”

Contact the 24-hour line at 031 328 8222.

 

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