A commercial Northland fisherman is becoming something of an expert in catching wayward Australian turtles.
Jack Price caught two turtles in January and February last year and yesterday hauled his third turtle out of his flounder net off Portland, near Whangarei.
The only other person he has heard of catching turtles is his father, Roy, who caught one in the 1970s while commercial fishing in Whangarei Harbour.
Mr Price suspected the green turtle got caught in currents and came up the harbour chasing jellyfish. It was released after being inspected by Department of Conservation officer Glen Coulston, who said the 46cm turtle - which could grow to 1.4m - appeared to be in good health.
If people saw or caught a turtle they should contact the department, which kept a record of sightings or captures, Mr Coulston said.
The department received between 10 and 20 reports each year, with regular sightings coming from the Whangarei Harbour and the Ngunguru River, 22km northeast of Whangarei.
Mr Coulston said the turtles were protected in New Zealand waters and came from the northeast coast of Australia, near Queensland. They traditionally kept to the coastline.
It was likely they had been caught in strong ocean currents and swept to New Zealand. They fed on seaweed, crustaceans and jellyfish. It was unlikely turtles would establish here because of the cold water.
- NZPA
Turtle turns up in net near Whangarei
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.