Environment and Resources Authority enforcement officers managed to save the life of two protected species found in distress at sea last week.

The ERA enforcement officers were conducting marine patrols as part of the Authority’s conservation efforts.

It said that whilst inspecting the Marine Protected Areas in the Southern part of the island, a Yelkouan Shearwater (Garnija in Maltese) was noted to be floating on the sea surface, evidently in distress.

Yelkouan Shearwaters are small seabirds endemic to the Mediterranean, with Malta hosting around 10% of the global population of this species.

Then, whilst in the vicinity of Filfla, which is a Special Area of Conservation, a young Loggerhead Turtle was seen struggling to dive, which was “probably because of plastic or hook ingestion causing a buildup of air in its stomach,” the ERA said.

Loggerhead Turtles spend most of their lives out at sea, only coming close to shore in the breeding season where they are particularly vulnerable to discarded litter and boat strikes.

Both the distressed seabird and turtle were picked up by ERA’s enforcement officers and sent for rehabilitation, “following which they could be released into their natural habitat.”

During its sea patrols, ERA said that it voluntarily collects plastic and other waste irresponsibly dumped in the sea to reduce the significant harm on marine life. “Hence, the public, particularly boat users, are urged to act more sustainably,” the Authority said.

Photos: ERA

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