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Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata)

The Hawksbill Turtle is a marine turtle that feeds in Australian waters along the east coast, including the Great Barrier Reef, and around Torres Strait, the Northern Territory and Western Australia. It uses tidal and subtidal coral and rocky reefs, habitats to consider carefully during coastal and in-water works.

Conservation status

Commonwealth, EPBC Act 1999: Vulnerable.

Queensland, Nature Conservation Act 1992: Endangered.

Western Australia, Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016: Vulnerable.

Tasmania, Threatened Species Protection Act 1995: Vulnerable.

Northern Territory, Territory Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 1976: Vulnerable.

Commonwealth, EPBC Act 1999: Listed migratory. Listed migratory species are a matter of national environmental significance, so a significant impact needs referral.

Commonwealth, EPBC Act 1999: Listed marine. A listed marine species under Part 13 of the EPBC Act. Killing, injuring, taking or moving it in a Commonwealth area needs a permit.

Seasonal planning

Peak nesting occurs in January and February in Torres Strait and the Great Barrier Reef, July to October in Arnhem Land, and October to January in Western Australia.

Seasonal evidence: From published sources for this species.

Timing varies between sites and years.

  • Peak nesting season: Peak nesting occurs in January and February in Torres Strait and the Great Barrier Reef, July to October in Arnhem Land, and October to January in Western Australia.

Identification: Appearance

It has an elongated oval shell with overlapping scutes, a distinctive hawk-like beak and flippers with two claws. Its shell is often brown with irregular yellow and orange markings.

It has an elongated oval shell with overlapping scutes, a distinctive hawk-like beak and flippers with two claws. Its shell is often brown with irregular yellow and orange markings.

Identification: Confirming identity

Confirm the identity of any suspected record with a specialist and a photograph or voucher, as required by the relevant permit.

Distribution: Known range

In Australia, feeding areas include the east coast and Great Barrier Reef, Torres Strait, and archipelagos in the Northern Territory and Western Australia. The species also feeds at Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, and its range extends into warm temperate waters as far south as northern New South Wales.

In Australia, feeding areas include the east coast and Great Barrier Reef, Torres Strait, and archipelagos in the Northern Territory and Western Australia. The species also feeds at Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, and its range extends into warm temperate waters as far south as northern New South Wales.

Distribution: National mapping

The Commonwealth species distribution model (SNES) maps where the species or its habitat is known, likely or may occur. Use it with local records and site inspection.

Habitat: Habitat

Hawksbill Turtles commonly use coral and rocky reefs and other shallow coastal habitats. They may also occur around shoals, lagoons, estuaries and oceanic islands, while nesting takes place on sandy beaches.

Hawksbill Turtles commonly use coral and rocky reefs and other shallow coastal habitats. They may also occur around shoals, lagoons, estuaries and oceanic islands, while nesting takes place on sandy beaches.

Foraging habitat: Diet

The diet includes sponges, crustaceans, algae and other small invertebrates. The species is mainly carnivorous, with sponges and crustaceans among its reported foods.

The diet includes sponges, crustaceans, algae and other small invertebrates. The species is mainly carnivorous, with sponges and crustaceans among its reported foods.

Breeding habitat: Breeding

Females come ashore to lay eggs on sandy beaches. Along the Great Barrier Reef, nesting occurs in low numbers from just north of Princess Charlotte Bay to Torres Strait.

Females come ashore to lay eggs on sandy beaches. Along the Great Barrier Reef, nesting occurs in low numbers from just north of Princess Charlotte Bay to Torres Strait.

Sheltering habitat: Shelter

Hawksbill Turtles may rest in caves and ledges around reefs. They have also been observed wedging themselves into rocky crevices while resting.

Hawksbill Turtles may rest in caves and ledges around reefs. They have also been observed wedging themselves into rocky crevices while resting.

Threats: Threats

Threats include degradation of coral reef foraging habitat, marine pollution and debris, and accidental capture in fishing operations. Coastal development and beach armouring can degrade nesting habitat, while vessel strikes can also cause harm.

Threats include degradation of coral reef foraging habitat, marine pollution and debris, and accidental capture in fishing operations. Coastal development and beach armouring can degrade nesting habitat, while vessel strikes can also cause harm.

Threats: Works risk

Coastal development or beach armouring can degrade nesting beaches, and in-water works that damage coral reefs or other foraging habitat may affect the species. Vessel activity can cause strikes, while marine pollution, debris and fishing operations can also harm turtles.

Survey methodology: 1. Commonwealth guidance

Use methods consistent with the Commonwealth survey guidelines and engage a specialist with the right permits.

For EPBC Act referrals, survey effort and methods should be consistent with the ePBC Act publications, including the National Guidelines for the Survey of Cetaceans, Marine Turtles and the Dugong (2024), read with the Significant impact guidelines 1.1.

Survey methodology: 2. Limits

A non-detection is not proof of absence. Match survey timing to the species and season, and record effort.

Vegetation associations

Source-checked associations and automatically indexed candidates are separated below. An association does not establish site presence, preference or dependence.

No species-specific vegetation association has been indexed or source-checked in this evidence library. This is an evidence gap, not evidence of no association.

Ecosystem associations

Source-checked associations and automatically indexed candidates are separated below. An association does not establish site presence, preference or dependence.

No species-specific ecosystem association has been indexed or source-checked in this evidence library. This is an evidence gap, not evidence of no association.

Soil and substrate associations

Source-checked associations and automatically indexed candidates are separated below. An association does not establish site presence, preference or dependence.

No species-specific soil association has been indexed or source-checked in this evidence library. This is an evidence gap, not evidence of no association.

Water and wetland associations

Source-checked associations and automatically indexed candidates are separated below. An association does not establish site presence, preference or dependence.

No species-specific water association has been indexed or source-checked in this evidence library. This is an evidence gap, not evidence of no association.

Fauna records and mapped habitat: Not yet analysed

Record locations can be overlaid with mapping, but record frequency alone does not measure habitat preference. No species is excluded from desktop assessments by this analysis.

No quality-controlled record-to-map analysis has been completed for this species. The existing generalised distribution dots and indicative range polygons have not been treated as precise occurrence coordinates.

A defensible run needs dated, independently attributable records, coordinate uncertainty, duplicate and captive-record checks, layer versions and regional scope. Preference and absence require additional survey-effort and detection evidence.

Habitat limitations and contrary evidence: No supported exclusion recorded

Not recorded is not the same as cannot occur. Low suitability, resident habitat, breeding habitat and occasional movement are different conclusions.

This library has not established a vegetation, ecosystem or soil-type exclusion for this species. This does not mean all habitat is suitable; the evidence needed to justify an exclusion has not been assembled.

Habitat limitations and contrary evidence: Before using a negative association

  • Confirm the taxon, geographic region, life stage and habitat function covered by the evidence.
  • Check survey methods, season, repeated effort and detectability before interpreting non-detection.
  • Investigate credible contradictory records and microhabitats absent from broad mapping.
  • Do not convert a missing map class, low record count or failed data request into species absence.

Before disturbance: 1. Desktop and approvals

Confirm whether the project could affect the species before works begin.

Check national mapping, state records and recent surveys for the site. An action likely to have a significant impact on this nationally listed species needs EPBC Act referral, and state permits apply where it is state listed.

Before disturbance: 2. Plan to avoid

Plan in-water works, vessel movements and lighting to avoid known habitat and sensitive periods, and set observer and shutdown procedures before works start.

During disturbance: 1. Controls

Keep works inside the approved footprint and conditions.

Use spotters and exclusion zones for in-water works and vessels, and pause works if the species is seen within the zone.

During disturbance: 2. Stop and report

If the species is found unexpectedly, stop work at that spot and contact the project ecologist and the relevant agency.

After disturbance: 1. Records

Record outcomes.

Record sightings, habitat lost or retained and any injury or death, and report them under the approval conditions.

Rehabilitation: 1. Restore

Restore disturbed habitat where possible.

Remove temporary structures, restore natural flow and substrate, and monitor water quality until it returns to baseline.

Sources