An image of a turtle next to a lump of coal on a beach in Mackay was released by WWF-Austalia on Wednesday as the Queensland government confirmed coal spillages at two nearby coal terminals.

The Department of Environment and Heritage Protection had been investigating reports of coal and coal dust washing up on beaches near Mackay since late last year and in January, officers inspected Hay Point and Dalrymple Bay coal terminals.

WWF-Australia were sent images from a concerned citizen of a turtle near a lump of coal off a Mackay beach.

"As a result of this inspection officers noticed a spillage at both coal terminals," a spokesperson said.

The Port of Hay Point sits alongside the Great Barrier Reef and is made up of two export terminals, Hay Point and Dalrymple Bay.