REGULAR PROGRAM
Sea Turtle Monitoring at Cook Island
Join our team tracking sea turtles at Cook Island Aquatic Reserve one of Australia's most important turtle sites. No experience needed, just a passion for protecting what matters.
WHAT WE WILL DO
Regularly - year round
Cook Island Aquatic Reserve & surrounding areas
Sea turtles call Cook Island home all year round. Our surveys count the turtles present in the reserve tracking population numbers over time and building a long-term picture of how the population is travelling.
Photo ID — volunteers photograph individual turtles during the count. Each turtle's unique facial scale pattern lets us identify returning individuals and track the same animals across surveys.
IN THE FIELD
Out At Cook Island
ABOUT THE SPECIES
why sea turtles need us
Sea turtles have roamed Earth's oceans for more than 100 million years yet six of the world's seven species are now threatened or endangered. Green and loggerhead turtles are resident at Cook Island Aquatic Reserve year-round, making it one of the most accessible turtle sites on the east coast.
Threats including plastic pollution, coastal development, boat strikes, and climate change are putting populations under ongoing pressure. Regular count surveys carried out by volunteers like you build the long-term data needed to track whether the local population is stable, growing, or declining.
Cook Island Aquatic Reserve is a protected marine area managed jointly with local Indigenous custodians, providing critical habitat for turtles, dolphins, rays, and hundreds of fish species.
100M
Years on Earth
3
Species at Cook Island
6-7
Species threatened
ON THE DAY
WHAT TO EXPECT
Morning briefing
Meet the team at the designated point. The crew walks you through the day's goals, survey methods, and safety procedures.
In-water count survey
Snorkel the reserve with the team, counting every turtle you spot and noting their location. No specialist skills needed just basic snorkel confidence.
Photo ID & data recording
Photograph turtles for individual ID and log your count using iNaturalist or our data sheets. All training provided on the day.
Debrief with the team
Wrap up together sharing what was found, what the data means, and what's coming up next for the program.
BE PREPARED
WHAT TO BRING
Sunscreen & hat (SPF 50+)
Water & Snacks
Rashie /Wetsuit & windbreaker
Snorkel Gear
Scuba gear if diving
Waterproof case
iNaturalist app
installed
Curiosity &
enthusiasm