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MW 3 August 2016

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maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 3 AUGUST 2016 7 ANDREA ROSSIT TO NATURE Trust is appealing for volunteers to help watch over a turtle's nesting site in Golden Bay, after a marine turtle laid some 40 to 100 eggs at the popu- lar beach in the early hours yes- terday. "Overnight, Nature Trust Malta was informed of the eggs on site by means of a phone call on its rescue line. Volunteers, f lanked by Environment Re- sources Authority (ERA) and police officials, have gone down to clean up the area," Zach En- gerer, council member and vol- unteer at Nature Trust, said. Moreover, the environmen- tal NGO is now calling on vol- unteers to help watch over the site, to ensure that no damage to the nests is caused by beach go- ers, and to inform the public on what's happening. "The eggs should remain there untouched and wait for instruc- tions by the ERA to deal with the situation at its best," Monica Ponzi, an Italian volunteer, said. Marine turtles are an endan- gered species and are strictly protected by a number of na- tional and international laws. To this end, the regulations state that the deliberate disturbance of these species, particularly during the period of breeding, rearing, hibernation, and migra- tion, is prohibited. For this reason, Nature Trust had set up a similar volunteer- driven turtle watch roster in 2012, when a turtle had laid eggs at Gnejna Bay. In that case the egg embryos died at a late stage of development. "We now need to set up a ros- ter to guard the nest – like the Gnejna one – from the crowds and from possible predators such as rats. "A roster between volunteers and staff from the ERA is be- ing worked up now, appealing for people to get in touch. It should be compiled for the next 70 days, that is by October, as it normally takes about eight to ten weeks for a marine turtle's nest to hatch." The eggs were laid some 5 metres up the beach and pre- liminary indi- cations suggest they will not have to be moved, as was the case in 2012. 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 proceed- ed to assess the situation and decide on the most appropri- ate way forward to ensure that the nest was not in any danger. ERA staff were relieved of their duties at around 3am when vol- unteers from Nature Trust took over. "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 sup- port given especially the volun- teers of Nature Trust. The turtle that nested in Golden Bay yesterday night is a loggerhead turtle (Maltese: il- fekruna l-komu- ni), scientifically known as Caretta caretta, which is a long-living, slowly matur- ing marine species that inhabits tropical to warm temperate ar- eas. This species is currently clas- sified as globally endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and is also protected by various national and international legis- lation. Capturing, killing, taking, and trading these turtles, as well as the deliberate disturbance of these species, particularly dur- ing the period of breeding, rear- ing 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 consti- tutes a criminal offence. In fact the local 'Flora, Fauna and Nat- ural Habitats Protection Regu- lations' 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. 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, the ERA said. Presently loggerhead nests are mostly found in the central and eastern part of the Mediter- ranean basin, mainly in Libya, Greece, Cyprus, Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Israel and Egypt, but small populations also nest in Tunisia, Sicily, and Lampe- dusa. In the past turtle species also nested in southern Italy and Corsica, apart from Malta. There is evidence that nesting incidences in the Maltese Is- lands are on the increase. Members of the police force were seen on site to assess the situation and keep control of the crowd should the need arise. Anyone who would like to vol- unteer is urged to contact Na- ture Trust on kareng@onvol.net and cc info@naturetrustmalta. org. News Turtle eggs at Golden Bay: Nature Trust places site under guard Nature Trust appeals for volunteers and warns against deliberate disturbance following a number of eggs laid at Golden Bay overnight by a marine turtle How you can help protect sea turtles: • Do not disturb the nests. • Don't leave any trash or other items on the beach. Turtles may mistake plastic bags, styrofoam, and trash floating in the water as food and die when this trash blocks their intestines. • Fill in any holes or craters in the sand before leaving, so the sea turtle hatchlings have a clear path. • Do not construct campfires on the beach. Sea turtle hatchlings are known to be attracted to the light emitted by campfires and crawl into fires and die. • Use your natural vision when walking on the beach at night. The use of flashlights and flash photography can deter turtles from coming ashore to nest or cause them to abort nesting attempts. • If you encounter a turtle on the beach at night, remain quiet, still, and at a distance, otherwise she may become frightened and return to the ocean without nesting. • Leave the tracks left by turtles undisturbed. Researchers use the tracks to identify the species of turtle that nested and to find and mark the nests for protection. • Properly dispose of your garbage. Celebrate events without the use of helium balloon releases. Like plastic trash, balloons end up in the sea, especially when released near the coast. Sea turtles mistakenly eat the balloons and die. • Remove recreational equipment, such as lounge chairs, cabanas, umbrellas, and boats, from the beach at night. Their presence can deter nesting attempts and interfere with the seaward journey of hatchlings. • Protect beach vegetation that stabilizes sand and the natural coastline. • When boating, stay alert and avoid sea turtles. Propeller and collision impacts from boats and ships can result in injury and death of sea turtles. Also, stay in channels and avoid running in seagrass beds to protect this important habitat from prop scarring and damage. Avoid anchoring boats in seagrass beds and coral reefs, which serve as important foraging and resting habitats for sea turtles. The loggerhead turtle is classified as globally endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and is protected by various national and international legislation The eggs were laid some 5 metres up the beach and preliminary indications suggest they will not have to be moved PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHRIS MANGION

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