World Sea Turtle Day is celebrated on the 16th of June every year and highlights the importance of sea turtles, which if they are lucky, can live between 50 and 100 years.

Turtle conservation organisations got together to create World Sea Turtle Day, which started in 2000. June the 16th was chosen to honour the birthday of Dr. Archie Carr, a renowned sea turtle conservationist. Dr. Carr also founded the Sea Turtle Conservancy in Gainesville, Florida.

The Environment and Resources Authority highlighted the fact that beyond their beauty, sea turtles demonstrate incredible perseverance, having nested on beaches for millions of years.

In fact, just yesterday, the first turtle nesting site of this season was spotted during a routine morning patrol by Nature Trust Malta (NTM-FEE) volunteers. The loggerhead turtle nesting site was found at Ir-Ramla tal-Mixquqa (Golden Bay) in Malta.

ERA officers coordinated with Nature Trust Malta (NTM-FEE) to cordon off the area an ensure that the nest is protected.

ERA said that it will continue supporting NTM and the relevant stakeholders in order to ensure the protection of the nest. An Emergency Conservation Order will be also issued.

It added that ”the general public is encouraged to act responsibly as excessive noise, trampling and light close to the nesting area may pose a threat to turtle eggs and any hatchlings.”

ERA also thanked the public for their support and co-operation during such events, and encourage the public to immediately report of any observations of turtle activity to ERA on over the phone (2292 3500) or through its customer care system, or directly to NTM (2131 3150).

Volunteers will also be required by NTM during the nesting period so as to help with monitoring and other tasks related to this turtle nest.

Those who wish to volunteer, are kindly asked to send an email on turtle.naturetrust@gmail.com for more information.

NTM are sponsored by ERA to conduct animal rescues and rehabilitation around the Maltese islands.

The loggerhead turtle, scientifically known as Caretta caretta is a long-living, slowly maturing marine species that inhabits tropical to warm temperate areas. This species is classified as globally endangered by the World Conservation Area (IUCN) and is also protected by various national and international legislation.

The ERA warned that capturing, killing, taking, and trading these turtles, as well as the deliberate disturbance of these species, particularly during the period of breeding, rearing and migration, is prohibited and subject to legal action. Even the destruction of eggs or taking of eggs from the wild is strictly prohibited and constitutes a criminal offence.

It said that the national ‘Flora, Fauna and Natural Habitats Protection Regulations’ impose a minimum fine of nearly €500 and going up to nearly €2400 for each egg that may be destroyed or taken from the wild.

The area where the loggerhead turtle has laid its eggs is also a protected area under the Environment Protection Act (Cap. 549) and a Natura 2000 site through the EU Habitats Directive.

Found a sea turtle in distress? Report immediately to Nature Trust – FEE Malta (9999 9505) or to ERA by telephone (22923500) or through ERA’s Customer Assistance System: https://cc-eris.eraportal.org.mt/

For further information, please refer to https://era.org.mt/turtle-nests-in-malta-gozo/.

Learn about how you can help sea turtles in your daily life by visiting: https://www.seaturtleweek.com/help

Photo: Mario Cucciardi

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