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**Moonlit Drama Unfolds on Scarborough's Queens Beach North**On Wednesday evening, the 3rd of February 2010, Queens Beach North in Scarborough was bathed in the soft glow of the waning moon. The gentle easterly breeze had subsided with the setting sun, leaving the beach in tranquil silence, punctuated only by the soothing lapping of waves and the night-time feeding frenzy of marine life.
The moon, shining brightly as it ascended over Moreton Island, cast a mesmerizing "Stairway to Heaven" across the bay. Low tide at 7 pm gave way to the increasing sound of waves as waves approached further up the beach's incline, with high tide expected just past midnight.
Just days prior, the beach had been a hive of activity. Families and visitors had gathered to enjoy the seaside, their beach towels sprawled out as children gleefully built sandcastles. (future budding marine scientist - or structural engineers - perhaps aiming to go to UniSc ) The full moon that Saturday evening had created a stunning reflection across the bay, capturing the awe of all who witnessed it.
Little did the residents of Flinders Parade anticipate the nocturnal drama that would unfold that Wednesday night. At precisely 10:50 pm, under the veil of darkness, hatchlings on the upper layer of their nest grew restless. (60days cramped up in an egg was enough!) They had incubated faster at the top as the sand was warmer than their cooler counterparts below, signalling that it was time to emerge.
As these tiny blinded creatures, guided by the moon's light, made their way towards the bright light, they inadvertently crossed the wrong way as local residents where returning from a Redcliffe Entertainment Centre show. The ensuing chaos saw police, Australian Zoo staff, and concerned locals working tirelessly to redirect the hatchlings towards the safety of the ocean.
In response to this unexpected event, the council invested considerably (> $250,000 ) in alternative street lighting whereby enhancing the beach's family-friendly amenities. QBN is an ideal environment for families overflowing from Scarborough Beach. Brad Sleurink, President, emphasized the importance of understanding the habitat of nesting turtles, especially as climate change see the turtle nesting migrating south more towards QBN.
However, the threat posed by the convenience of single-use plastics remains a significant concern. Turtles, already a threatened species, face the added danger of ingesting plastics, leading to tragic outcomes. Vivien Harris and Karen Catterall of ESRAG have taken action, collecting trash from local beaches and creating turtle sculptures from plastic debris to raise awareness about ocean pollution.
Vivien encourages the public to be more conscious of their plastic consumption, advocating for responsible disposal and the use of reusable alternatives. Karen shares a similar sentiment, emphasizing the collective responsibility we all have in protecting our environment.
Division 6 Councillor Karl Winchester expressed his support for the upcoming Family Turtle Awareness Expo on Saturday, 20th April 2024, at Queens Beach North. The event aims to educate the community about marine life conservation and the impact of plastic pollution. Activities include discussions with environmental experts, book authors, and interactive sessions for children.
All are invited to join this enlightening event, featuring an Acknowledgement of Country, opening remarks by Cr Cath Tonks, and presentations by Assoc Prof Daryl McPhee from Bond University Environmental Science. The event promises to be both educational and inspiring, highlighting the importance of safeguarding our marine ecosystems for future generations.
This is a two day event with day 1 ( May 3rd) as a beachside family activity & Day 2 (4th May) a symposium at Deception Bay Eco Hub
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Queens Beach North, Scarborough, Australia