Sea Turtle Code of Conduct
Protecting sea turtles at Cook Island Aquatic Reserve through responsible, respectful encounters
WHY IT MATTERS
Swimming with turtles is a privilege — let's keep it that way
Visitor surveys and feedback collated by the World Animal Protection Organisation indicate that the majority of people who pay for an animal encounter do so because they have a love for the animal or seek to learn more about it. Research suggests that following a positive, up-close encounter, individuals are more likely to make lifestyle changes and engage in conservation efforts — and non-captive wildlife encounters are the most impactful.
As visitor numbers to Jungarra Ngarrian (Cook Island Aquatic Reserve) increase, a notable incidence of inappropriate interactions has been witnessed and reported by local community members, tour operators, and visitors. In a collaborative community response, a pilot Sea Turtle Code of Conduct for Australian Waters has been created to encourage interactions that preserve and protect our sea turtle population for generations to come.
Jungarra Ngarrian — Cook Island Aquatic Reserve — is one of Australia's premier hotspots for in-water turtle encounters. The reserve is home to threatened green, hawksbill and loggerhead turtles, and as visitor numbers grew, so did reports from community members, local dive operators, and tourists of interactions that were putting turtles under stress.
Nobody had written the rules down. There was no national standard, no agreed code, and no shared resource for the people who needed it most — the tour operators, dive shops, reef resorts, and in-water enthusiasts turning up at Cook Island every day.
Green Heroes set out to change that. Working alongside the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) Fisheries and the National Parks & Wildlife Service, the code was developed over the course of a year — ensuring it met the regulatory standards needed to protect turtles at both a community and government level.
In August 2024, all ten tour operators who take snorkelling and scuba diving trips to Cook Island signed the code — a landmark moment for conservation at the reserve.
Australia's first sea turtle code of conduct — developed right here
A first
for Australian seas and oceans
The Sea Turtle Code of Conduct for Australian Waters is the first of its kind developed by the Green Heroes community in partnership with DPIRD Fisheries and signed by all ten Cook Island tour operators in August 2024.
"To safeguard this incredible biodiversity hotspot, we need the support of the local community."
— Kristie Morgan, Kirra Dive on the Tweed
Who it's for
Ocean-based commercial tourism operators · reef resorts · dive shops · snorkellers and divers · in-water enthusiasts · anyone encountering turtles in Australian waters.
What's available
A free, shareable PDF poster and a short film — both available to download and distribute at no cost. Designed to be pinned at dive shops, boat ramps, and marine parks.
Developed with
NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) Fisheries and the National Parks & Wildlife Service helped develop and oversee the code over a full year — ensuring it meets the regulatory standards required to protect turtles within the reserve.
"The Code of Conduct is designed to help tour operators and visitors experience the reserve sustainably, outlining the rules for the aquatic reserve and best practice advice."
— Lesley Diver, Senior Manager Marine Planning, DPIRD Fisheries
View NSW DPI Code of Conduct page
Swimming with Turtles
Our A3 poster distils the code of conduct into a simple, shareable visual guide. It's free to download, print, and distribute — perfect for local dive operators, schools, and community noticeboards.
Designed as part of a pilot trial for Australian waters, this is a community resource built by people who care about keeping turtles wild and healthy.