Officials from the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) spent their night monitoring a Loggerhead turtle nest at Golden Bay. Following information provided by members of the public some time after 10pm, ERA officials immediately went on site and confirmed that eggs had been laid shortly before midnight. They then proceeded to assess the situation and decide on the most appropriate way forward to ensure that the nest was not in any danger. The last time such a nest was confirmed was in Gnejna, back in 2012, making this a very exciting and important event.

The ERA compliance officials were relieved of their duties at around 3 in the morning, when volunteers from the NGO Nature Trust took over. Later in the morning, Police from the Administrative Law Enforcement Section and of the District Section, rangers from the Majjistral Park, as well as other compliance officers of ERA were again on site. The MTA provided shelter and water to officers and volunteers surveilling the nest. It is of utmost importance that the nesting site does not sustain any negative impacts from the activities nearby.

Such joint effort is vital for the viability of the eggs within the nest, said a spokesperson for the ERA, who welcomed and thanked all involved for the support given especially the volunteers of Nature Trust.

The turtle that nested in Golden Bay yesterday night is a loggerhead turtle (Maltese: il-fekruna l-komuni), scientifically known as Caretta caretta, which is a long-living, slowly maturing marine species that inhabits tropical to warm temperate areas. This species is currently classified as globally endangered by the World Conservation Area (IUCN) and is also protected by various national and international legislation. 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. In fact the local ‘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. Golden Bay itself is a protected area that also boasts a Blue Flag status. Such turtle nestings increase the value and rating of Blue Flag bays.

Presently loggerhead nests are mostly found in the central and eastern part of the Mediterranean basin, mainly in Libya, Greece, Cyprus, Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Israel and Egypt, but small populations also nest in Tunisia, Sicily, and Lampedusa. In the past turtle species also nested in southern Italy and Corsica, apart from Malta. There is evidence that nesting incidences in the Maltese Islands are on the increase.