It was fatally injured by what was thought to be the propellers of a passing boat.

National Parks & Wildlife Service (NPWS) staff received a call on Sunday from a member of the public at Town Green. When they reached the scene near the tallship Alma Doepel, they found the turtle’s shell had been broken, exposing the animal’s innards. It was already dead.

NPWS ranger Cathy Mardell said: “This is the third hawksbill we’ve found locally in as many months. Its injuries suggest that it died quickly.

“Often you find turtles with lesser damage to their shells and it can take them a couple of years to die a slow, painful death.”

Hawksbills are found typically in tidal, sub-tidal coral and rocky reef habitats throughout tropical waters, extending into warm temperate areas as far south as the Mid-North Coast. They forage over coral reefs, rock outcroppings and seagrass beds. Their diet consists primarily of sponges, although they also feed on seagrasses, algae, soft corals and shellfish.

Like other marine turtles, the hawksbill species is experiencing serious threats to its survival, as pollution and changes to its natural habitat take effect. Drowning in fishing gear and the ingestion of rubbish – particularly plastics – are two of the most common causes of death.

Marine turtles are also prone to injury and death caused by being struck by boats. The slow-moving creatures have no defence against on-coming boats and are slow to move out of the way of sea vessels.

Ms Mardell has urged the public to take a few simple steps to help preserve these vulnerable creatures.

“Remember that the rubbish you throw away can makes its way out to sea and be swallowed by marine life, causing serious blockages,” she warned.

“Please be on the lookout if you’re out in a boat. Speeding boats can cause excruciating suffering to turtles, which aren’t equipped to get out of the way quickly. Be careful also not to destroy seagrass through careless anchoring or bait-collecting.”

Report marine animal strandings to the NPWS on 6586 8300.