The Malta Environment and Planning Authority (MEPA) in collaboration with the Fisheries Department said today that they have received the full co-operation of the Ports and Yachting Directorate within the Transport Malta to protect the turtle hatchling at Gnejna Bay.
The Ports and Yachting Directorate is issuing a Notice to Mariners notifying boat owners that within the coming three (3) weeks and with a further short notice, they will be notified that operating a craft within and in the adjacent areas to Gnejna will be prohibited at particular hours when and if the turtles hatch, since they swim out to sea when they hatch and otherwise they risk being killed.
A part of the swimmers zone (line with floats) is being temporarily removed during this period for the above mentioned reason. Boat owners should maintain same clearance distance as if the demarcation line was still in place.