COFFS Harbour City Council has issued a call for locals to be aware of turtles on Coffs Coast beaches this summer.

“Coming into summer we will see an increasing number of sea turtles on our beaches,” Council stated.

“These will most likely be green sea turtles, but could also be Hawksbill turtles or Loggerheads.”

Council urged locals driving on beaches over summer to be careful not to run over any turtles, and keep an eye out for turtle tracks in the sand.

Council said large animals may be nesting, and it was important not to interfere with these animals.

“If a nesting event is observed, people should get photos of the tracks left by the animal, record the location and contact Dolphin Marine Rescue or National Parks,” Council said.

According to Council, the turtle nests in NSW are important as the sex of hatchlings is determined by the temperature of the nests, with warmer nests for female hatchlings and cooler nests for male hatchlings.

“Most hatchlings produced in QLD are now girls, so it is important that we do everything we can to make sure that the NSW nests, that are producing boys, are successful,” Council said.

Small turtles with lots of algae and barnacles on them are generally sick and if found, members of the public should call Dolphin Marine Rescue on 0431 182 961 or the National Parks and Wildlife Service to care for them.