The following information is specifically related to Olive Ridley Turtles in Australia.

Conservation status

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

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

Distribution and habitat

In Australia they are found in soft-bottomed, shallow protected waters on the east coast from south Queensland and the Great Barrier Reef, northwards to the Torres Strait, the Gulf of Carpentaria, the Gulf of Papua, the Arafura Sea, and round to the Joseph Bonaparte Gulf in W Australia.

Breeding

Nesting season:

Year-round, with most from April to November. Hatchlings emerge year-round, with most from June to late January.

Breeding areas:

There are no large rookeries in Australia but the two main breeding areas are:

• Northern Territory – about 1000 nesting females per year.
• Gulf of Carpentaria – about 100 nesting females per year.

This species has been little studied in Australia and much of its life history and breeding biology remains unknown.