The Delambre Island turtle monitoring program began in 2008 and was run by Rio Tinto as part of the Cape Lambert Marine Turtle Management Plan, attached to the Rio Tinto Cape Lambert Port B Development. In 2017, the NWSFTCP took over the monitoring program as part of a collaboration agreement with Rio Tinto.

As one of the largest flatback turtle rookeries in Australia, staff and volunteers on Delambre Island are kept busy by the hundreds of turtles that come onto the beach each night. The island is uninhabited and devoid of any permanent structures, which means a large field camp must be set up for the month-long monitoring period. Work on the island is conducted with the assistance of the Ngarluma Traditional Custodians through the partnership with the Ngarluma Aboriginal Corporation.

To learn about volunteering opportunities on Delambre Island, please click here.

Mean number of turtle tracks per night on Delambre Island from 2017-2023.

 

Disclaimer: 

The data included in this graph is the property of the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions. This data is to be used only for educational purposes and not for distribution, publication or commercial use. Data may have been de-identified or excluded in the process of making it available to the public domain and is subject to change following further curation and analysis.

Aerial view of Delambre Island camp setup. Photo - Duncan Thomson/DBCA

Aerial view of Delambre Island. Photo - Duncan Thomson/DBCA

Aerial view of Delambre Island camp setup, where flatback turtles can be seen approaching camp. Photo - Duncan Thomson/DBCA

Delambre Island

Thevenard Island

Yawuru Nagulagun Roebuck Bay

Cape Domett

Eco Beach

Acknowledgement of Country

The Government of Western Australia acknowledges the traditional owners throughout Western Australia and their continuing connection to the land, waters and community. We pay our respects to all members of the Aboriginal communities and their cultures; and to Elders both past and present.