Last week the Environment and Resources Authority issued an emergency conservation order (ECO). This follows the discovery of a turtle nesting site at Ramla l-Hamra in Gozo.

The area will be monitored 24/7 for the coming 2 months, by volunteers for Nature Trust in collaboration with the ERA.

The NTM Wildlife Rescue Team thanked the ERA for the quick work in issuing the Emergency Conservation Order .

The ECO lists what is allowed or not allowed on Ramla l-Hamra so as to not pose a threat to the turtle nest.

The Team said that “everyone can still enjoy the beach, we just need to be careful of certain activities in the nest’s proximity. Let’s give the hatchlings a fighting chance.”

They also urged those who visit Ramla, not to be afraid to approach their volunteers with any queries. “They’ll be more than happy to answer your question.”

Any observations of turtle activity or environmental illegality should be immediately reported to ERA on 22923500 or ced.nature@era.org.mt or to Nature trust Malta – FEE Malta on 9999 9505, who are sponsored by ERA to conduct animal rescues and rehabilitation around the Maltese islands.

The loggerhead turtle (Maltese: il-fekruna l-komuni), 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 said 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.

It warned that “even the destruction of eggs or taking of eggs from the wild is strictly prohibited and constitutes a criminal offence. In fact, 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 turtles 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.

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