Over two hundred students who are presently participating in the Nature Trust (Malta) , FEE environmental programmes – EkoSkola and Young Reporters for the Environment, participated in the release of ten turtles that have been under rehabilitation at the San Lucjan Centre in Marsaxlokk for the last few months.

These turtles have been rehabilitated at the San Lucjan Fisheries centre, after they had been brought injured ashore either by fishermen, members of the public, NGOs or the Armed Forces of Malta. The turtles have been under the medical care of Dr Anthony Gruppetta and cared for by Mr Charles Sammut who, is a staff member at the San Lucjan Centre under the Ministry for Resources and Rural Affairs. Volunteers from Nature Trust Malta also assist Mr Sammut on a daily basis in the rehabilitation of these marine animals which include medication, cleaning and feeding. Five of the turtles released have been recovered by the Armed Forces of Malta – Maritime Unit who help such creature in difficulty while out at sea.

The turtles were released from Gnejna Bay in the presence of the Malta Environment and Planning Authority officials who are the responsible authority for protected wildlife.

NTM Executive President welcomed the students and said that this was not only an educational activity but also a reward to those students present who had either achieved the EkoSkola Green Flag Eco label award or the Young Reporters for the Environment award. He said that marine turtles have been on this planet for over 200 million years and are now in danger of extinction due to pollution, and many other problems. Mr Attard thanked San Lucjan centre for their work and dedication with special reference to Dr Grupetta and Mr Charles Sammut, The Armed Forces of Malta, NGOs like BirdLife Malta and BICREF who also contributed to the saving of the injured turtles, fishermen and members of the public who often phone to report injured turtles at sea. Mr Attard also thanked the NTM Volunteers especially Ms Angela De Berti who is the leading Volunteer from NTM and MEPA – Nature Protection Unit for their full support and cooperation.

Dr Grupetta- Director General Fisheries, also addressed the sizeable crowd that were impatiently awaiting the actual release. “Today we released another ten turtles back into their natural environment. Together with the turtles released last June in a similar activity, this year we have released a total of 21 turtles,” he said. “It is a very rare and special occasion for all those present because you can witness the release of the smallest and largest turtles entrusted to our care ever since we started this rehabilitation programme.”

The smallest turtle weighed a meagre 1.55kgs. Spartacus the large male specimen by contrast weighed a staggering 54kg and it had to be carried by 4 persons using a simple cradle. This turtle has been at San Lucjan since August 2008 and needed 14 long months of care to get back in shape to be able to live independently. Princess has been under care for this past year whereas Poseidon needed 11 months of rehabilitation. Luckily the other seven turtles had no severe complications and could be released just after three months.

Unfortunately this is not always the case. Many turtles get entangled in discarded fishing nets, ingest plastic bags and other paraphernalia, collide with boats and other vessels and therefore need more care and attention. Some of the turtles released this year had to be operated upon to remove fishing hooks and nylon from their digestive system.

Mr Martin Seychell, Director Environment Protection-MEPA said that MEPA has a very important role in the conservation and protection of turtles. The Authority is presently working on a Code of Practice to serve as guidelines for people who encounter injured turtles including those turtles that get accidentally entangled in fishing nets. The Authority is still monitoring closely the Marine Protected areas (MPAs) to safeguard the fate of these creatures. “In the coming months MEPA will be launching a consultation process to devise a national Marine Protected Areas Strategy for the Maltese Islands.” said Dr Seychell.

MEPA would like to remind the general public that anyone who spots or comes into contact with an injured turtle can call on 2069 9595. This emergency service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Two very excited students from each school then released the ten turtles wishing them a successful journey and lots of luck back into their habitat.

List of Turtles Release

1; Bill 3.09.09 It had a hook in it’s throat which was removed surgically. He is approximately 5years old.

2; Palomita 31.08.09 It had a hook in it’s throat which was removed surgically. This is the smallest turtle we have released weighing only 1.750 kg. And of approximately 2 years old.

3; Camilla 23.07.09 It had a hook in the mouth and three big holes in the lower jaw. She suffered severe infection on both sides of her mouth and was not thought to survive.

4; Aramis 3.08.09. It had a hook in the throat which was removed surgically.

5; Posidon 20.11.08 It suffered pulmonary infection in one lung and swam on it’s side. It was treated with antibiotics and keep for four weeks in warm water ( 28 degrees ). To help it swim straight it was balanced with lead weights on it’s back. It was force fed for two weeks.

6; Princess 12.09.09 It was found entangled on a bouy by nylon left long after being caught in a fishing line. Due to this half of the left side of her head was showing bone and it’s left side was also scratched to the bones.

7; Popeye 12.07.09. It has a hook in it’s throat which was removed.

8; Deisy 03.08.09. It had a hook in it’s throat which was surgically removed.

9; Dennis 27.09.09 It had a hook deep in it’s throat which was surgically removed

10; Spartacus 30.08.08. It had a hook in it’s throat which was surgically removed and also it had bad injuries to it’s plastron which took a long time to heal. He is the biggest turtle we have released and weighs 54 kilos and has an approximate age of 18/20 years.

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