A LEATHERBACK turtle has been spotted in the sea off Brighton.

The world’s largest turtle was seen paddling around the Rampion windfarm last month.

Wildlife experts said the sighting was incredible rare.

The reptiles are only occasionally seen in British waters – and almost never in Sussex.

The rare endangered turtles are known to travel large distances and migrate across the Pacific and Atlantic.

Anyone who sees a turtle is advised to report it to the Marine Conservation Society on 01989 566017 as they are particularly vulnerable to becoming tangled in fishing gear or swallowing waste plastic.

Sussex Wildlife Trust living seas officer Sarah Ward said: “Astonishingly, a leatherback turtle was spotted last month just off Brighton, by a local pleasure boat which was visiting the Rampion Offshore Windfarm.

“Most UK sightings of turtles are around Cornwall and southern Wales, it’s incredibly rare to spot one this far east in the Channel.

“Furthermore, turtle sightings tend to be during the warmer summer months, when the jellyfish are abundant – one of their main sources of food.

“Leatherback turtles are unique among sea turtles in that they are able to cope with colder seas, as low as 5C, due to their specialised circulatory system.

“It was not reported that the individual sighted last month was showing any signs of distress.”

Sightings of leatherback turtles are made even more rare due to their behaviour – they generally only tend to come to the surface to breathe, and can hold their breath underwater for several hours at a time.

They also tend to live a solitary existence, coming together only to breed in tropical seas.

Turtles are not an everyday occurrence in UK waters, however occasionally individuals will be spotted.

Leatherbacks are the most commonly seen species, but other species such as Kemp’s Ridley and loggerhead turtles have also been reported.

Sarah said: “Sadly, leatherbacks are listed as ‘vulnerable’ on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s red list, and their populations are declining.

“They are particularly at risk from entanglement in fishing gear, and have often been reported eating plastic, which they mistake for food items.

“Turtles are also likely to be affected by climate change, particularly as the sex of hatchlings is determined by the temperature of the nest – rising temperatures will likely cause a higher ratio of females, as females are produced at warmer temperatures than males.

“If you do spot a turtle, don’t forget to report your sighting, and take a look at the UK Turtle Code for more information.”