I'm concerned about riding in an area where sea turtles feed and occasionally come in to nest. How much are we a hazard to them and how much are they a hazard to us? Does anyone have any experiences to share?

I lost my right hand to a sea turtle,
Or was it a snapping turtle all at sea?
I have some issues with just allowing them to comes ashore wherever
After all I built this country from the sea up precisely to escape these water demons
Worst thing is none of the major political parties take the issue seriously
In the absence of polling group advice I urge you to remain calm and think
If I leave the turtles alone and respect their space will they do they same for me?

I can see this being one of the cases where GueredaGirl turns out to be a journalist, and the next thing we see is an article on how kitesurfers are a danger to sea-life, complete with quotes from forum users such as "I'm worried about landing on them".

Funnily enough Chad is landlocked
maybe they wish to provide asylum to our turtles
protect them from the sea?

TurtleHunter said..

Lol we have been monitored before and found to have no effect on breeding turtles. Then a professor from the US when asked to check the interaction laughed and noted not one turtle has been injured by kitesurfers yet many are found injured by boat propellers and fishing activities every year.
I believe there have been instances where turtles have bitten and also tried to mate kitesurfers when they have been in the water swimming or body dragging(eppo could elaborate.)

I just love that a member called "TurtleHunter" has replied on this thread!

I've seen turtles many times when I have been kiting, never hit one, nor know of anyone else hitting one.
I've tried to help a few that have had bouancy problems (possibly from eating plastic bags?) also seen the results of what looks like prop strikes.

They just piss off so quick ( like the submarine DIVE DIVE)I don't think it would be possible to hit one unless you landed on one from a boost . I have a lot of trouble staying on my board if I pass one as I am laughing so hard at them looking at you they are on weed I tell you they are doped to there eyeballs .

As for turtle hunter I don't think it is for the four leg type he is hunting I think it is more like a two leg woman on her back is name turtle you know the type when she is on her back she is ***ked

No, I am not a journalist, nor have I ever tried drugs. I happen to be a fair-dinkum Aussie currently living in East Africa just 500 metres from the beach. What more conspiracy theories can you come up with? And, just for the record, I have no idea how to create spam. But if anyone wants to send me money to buy the said pizza at the hotel restaurant across the road they would be most welcome!

GueredaGirl said..

No, I am not a journalist, nor have I ever tried drugs. I happen to be a fair-dinkum Aussie currently living in East Africa just 500 metres from the beach. What more conspiracy theories can you come up with? And, just for the record, I have no idea how to create spam. But if anyone wants to send me money to buy the said pizza at the hotel restaurant across the road they would be most welcome!

To answer your question, no I haven't seen any turtles while kiting.

cheers

Lorgra

P.S. Have you seen any of juicerider's relatives over there?

Skid said..

TurtleHunter said..

Lol we have been monitored before and found to have no effect on breeding turtles. Then a professor from the US when asked to check the interaction laughed and noted not one turtle has been injured by kitesurfers yet many are found injured by boat propellers and fishing activities every year.
I believe there have been instances where turtles have bitten and also tried to mate kitesurfers when they have been in the water swimming or body dragging(eppo could elaborate.)

I just love that a member called "TurtleHunter" has replied on this thread!

I've seen turtles many times when I have been kiting, never hit one, nor know of anyone else hitting one.
I've tried to help a few that have had bouancy problems (possibly from eating plastic bags?) also seen the results of what looks like prop strikes.

back in 2007 we were being accused of interfering with the turtles while kiteboarding by one dec employee and although everyone else thought it was a joke she almost had us banned hence the name.
The boyancy problems seem to stem from a bruise under the shell mainly due to boats but after a few days they do seem to disapear
Gueredagirl I wouldn't be too concerned about being a hazard to them while on the water, they have far bigger things with more teeth to worry about. They can do damage to surfboard fins if you hit them(There shell is far stronger and will not be damaged) but they are much quicker than you think unless they are mating in wich case you would have to be blind to not see them.
So eppo you going to explain how you came about being off an empty beach with no shorts on and a large male turtle on your back

^^^^^
Yes sure am, and every time I check the forecast the weekend looks worse

Thanks for the welcome. You wouldn't think I was fair-dinkum if you heard my accent though. It's been challenged by learning French, then Arabic (and not at all by Swahili 'cos haven't get very far with that). "default": do you count dark chocolate as a drug? If you do, then I am guilty as charged.
"Skid": thanks for helping the turtles with buoyancy problems. Our turtle experts here claim it is mostly due to plastics etc that need removing with an op. And I would agree with whoever said that boats may pose a greater threat as they often speed unnecessarily. As for relatives of the chimp, well yes, if you count second cousins: Sykes' monkeys, Angolan colobus, baboons.

Ah Craggers, how do you know I'm a "she"? I could be anyone, remember? Just 'cos I can list towns like Augathella, Cunnamulla, Bowenville, Gundagai, Jondaryan, Mitchell, Nhill, Port Augusta, and Launceston doesn't mean I'm not a SPY or an ALIEN!

TurtleHunter said..

Gueredagirl I wouldn't be too concerned about being a hazard to them while on the water, they have far bigger things with more teeth to worry about.

Plastic bags (look like jellyfish), fishing hooks, balloons, boat props, sharks, and Chinese are the biggest threat. (My wife is a vet nurse and gets them in all the time.) The threat of boards hitting them is way down the line.
Kited a couple of places where there are turtle around but water is so clear you can spot them very easily.

GueredaGirl said..

Ah Craggers, how do you know I'm a "she"?

oh you're an "it" huh ?


op went well i take it

Truth to tell, I hadn't filled in a profile. It seems the default settings are 1. Country: Australia, 2. State: WA, and 3. Sex: unsure! And my current country is not in the drop-down menu so I'll stick with my home state of Qld.