Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1524066
6 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 17 JULY 2024 NEWS MATTHEW VELLA mvella@mediatoday.com.mt Fourth turtle nesting site this summer A fourth turtle nesting site of this season has been spotted during a routine morning patrol by Na- ture Trust Malta (NTM-FEE) volunteers. The turtle nesting site was found at Għajn Tuffieħa, which is the site that saw the most turtle activity this season. "This new nest is most welcome however as was the case with the second nest this season, it has been laid very close to the shore in an area which poses a high risk of mortality should weather con- ditions become unfavourable," Nature Trust Malta said. To maximise the nest's chanc- es of survival, ERA and Nature Trust Malta (NTM-FEE) officials worked closely together to ensure that the eggs are safely moved next to the other two nests at Ir-Ramla tal-Mixquqa (Golden Bay). The loggerhead turtle is a long-living, slowly maturing ma- rine species that inhabits trop- ical to warm temperate areas. This species is classified as glob- ally endangered by the World Conservation Area (IUCN) and is also protected by various na- tional and international legisla- tion. 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 pro- hibited and constitutes a criminal offence. The national 'Flora, Fauna and Natural Habitats Protection Reg- ulations' impose a minimum fine of nearly €500 and going up to nearly €2,400 for each egg that may be destroyed or taken from the wild. The area where the log- gerhead turtles has laid its eggs is also a protected area under the Environment Protection Act and a Natura 2000 site through the EU Habitats Directive. ERA will continue to coordi- nate with NTM-FEE to ensure that the nest is protected, with an Emergency Conservation Order. Nature Trust calls for volunteers to monitor nesting site as ERA issues emergency conservation order ERA and Nature Trust Malta (NTM-FEE) officials worked closely together to safely move the eggs next to the other two nests at Ir-Ramla tal-Mixquqa (Golden Bay) PRIME Minister Robert Abela headed to the Libyan capital of Tripoli on Tuesday morning, where he will stay overnight for talks Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh. Talks on the day focused on immigration but also strategic cooperation in renewa- ble energy. The two leaders signed an extension of an agreement initially signed in May 2020 on immigration that saw the Libyan coast guard prevent the departure and continue voyage of thousands of asylum seekers and migrants across the Mediterranean sea to- wards Europe. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is also expected to attend the Mediterranean Immigration Forum, attended by other Af- rican and European countries. Abela said after the press conference that immigration was "part of a much deeper discussion about important strategic rela- tionships between Europe and countries in North Africa, such as Libya." The agreement will include training and assistance in civil protection provided by Maltese authorities to Libyan counter- parts. Widely criticised as an act that breaches the principle of non-refoulement for asy- lum seekers seeking an exit to a country where to claim international protection, the Maltese prime minister insisted that the Libyan coastguard's actions had result- ed in the rescue of thousands of people, apart from a significant reduction in arriv- als of irregular immigrants. "The issue of immigration is not yet fully addressed, and there is always more that can be done, but today we are here to re- affirm our commitment to work together. We cannot address illegal immigration without the commitment of European countries with transit or origin countries like Libya," Abela said. The Maltese delegation includes home affairs minister Byron Camilleri, Gozo minister Clint Camilleri, head of secre- tariat Mark Mallia, and Cabinet secretary Ryan Spagnol. Abela said Malta viewed Libya as a stra- tegic partner with the European Union in the Mediterranean in important areas such as renewable energy. "Malta emphasised the importance of the Mediterranean region… our country has the credibility to push for a strategic part- nership between Europe and North Africa. Our country is also advocating for a Euro- pean Commissioner for the Mediterrane- an, as evidenced by the MED9 meeting in Malta, where we stressed that the Mediter- ranean should be made a centre of clean energy that drives the commitment for a decarbonised Europe and Mediterranean," Abela said. The two counterparts on Tuesday also discussed the potential for further growth in commercial relations between the two countries, including an agreement on air connectivity. Malta was the first EU mem- ber state to resume flights between Malta and Libya. "Malta can continue to facili- tate and serve as a logistics hub between Europe and North Africa," Abela said, describing the two countries' ports as "a commercial bridge between the two con- tinents." Malta and Libya eye cooperation on renewable energy Prime Minister Robert Abela (left) with Libyan counterpart Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh