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  Marine Turtles of Australia    

Marine Turtles of Australia

Cultural connections

Marine turtles are an essential element of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander living maritime culture along the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. The activities associated with the hunting of turtles and the preparation and sharing of the meat has great significance and is an expression of the continuance of long cultural traditions. Turtle shell is important to many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, as historically it was often fashioned into combs and fishhooks.

In remote coastal areas, green turtles have a high social and economic value because they provide subsistence food to communities where a nourishing diet is essential but often expensive to attain. In addition, these marine food resources strengthen Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and demonstrate connection with traditional sea country.

From www.gbrmpa.gov.au/corp_site/key_issues/conservation/natural_values/marine_turtles


   

Traditional Indigenous Artwork by Joey Laifoo from environment.gov.au
 


21st Century Indigenous rock art by the seaside
at Shorncliffe, Queensland Australia

Image © Leonard John Matthews Flickr

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Introduction
Distribution
Predators and Prey
Migration
Reproduction
Threats to turtles
Cultural connections
Species
    Australian Flatback       Sea Turtle
   Green Sea Turtle
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