Conservation status

Australia – National: ‘Vulnerable’ [Environmental Protection & Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999]

Australia – Queensland: ‘Endangered’ [Nature Conservation Act 1992]

Australia - Western Australia: Specially Protected Fauna

Australia - Northern Territory: Specially Protected Animal

Distribution and habitat

In Australia they occur in tropical and temperate waters but rarely found close to shore. Foraging leatherbacks have been found in the Gulf of Carpentaria, south Queensland, NSW and as far south as the Bass Strait, and in W Australia south of Geraldton.

Breeding

Nesting season: December and January. Hatchlings emerge February and March.

Breeding areas

No major nesting occurs in Australia. Small numbers nest in 2 areas:

• Queensland – Scattered nesting from Wreck Rock near Bundaberg to Round Hill Head.
• Northern Territory – from the Coburg Peninsula to Maningrida, including Crocker Island.

Most leatherbacks living in Australian waters nest in neighbouring countries, especially Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, Java, Irian Jaya and the Solomon Islands. Those that do nest in Australia are probably at the extreme edge of their range.