Such positive results could be attributed to the introduction of exclusion netting practices. "It's measures like this that the prawn and trawling industry have adopted that is directly responsible for more turtles surviving to adulthood, and returning to Mon Repos two or three or more times to lay eggs."

"It's a great example of sustainable practices giving a threatened species a second chance at survival," Mr Lucas said.

According to Department of Environment and Resource Management chief scientist Col Limpus said, “A lot of our turtles are old hands, which means the turtles are surviving longer.”

However, this was not a reason to become complacent. “If we want to keep the population growing, we need to keep the beaches secure and stop development encroaching."

Dr Limpus predicted that the turtles would continue to lay their eggs until late January.

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