Turtle release in Malta!

(21.5.2010)

On the occasion of World Turtle day, Nature Trust (Malta) organised the Eco-Schools Turtle Release event for 2010. Seven loggerhead turtles have been released at the Mellieha Bay which will also link up with the Blue Flag activities for this Bay that is now applying for the full Blue Flag status.

On the occasion of World Turtle day, Nature Trust (Malta) organised the Eco-Schools Turtle Release event for 2010. Three hundred and sixty students from schools that have received the Eco-School or Young Reporters for the Environment award attended this event

Seven loggerhead turtles have been released at the Mellieha Bay which will also link up with the Blue Flag activities for this Bay that is now applying for the full Blue Flag status.
The turtles have been rescued over the last months. Volunteers from Nature Trust assist in the rehabilitation and medication of such turtles so that a quick recovery can be made and thus the release can occur as soon as possible. Injures to turtles are usually caused by passing marine vessels, waste such as floating plastic bags, fishing lines, hooks and pollution.

Before the release, participants played environmental games and got more information on turtles as well as the ecological role played by jellyfish, the diversity of jellyfish species in local waters and the possible causes of jellyfish blooms. This event brought together three environmental educational programmes aimed at increasing awareness of students, adults, visitors and beach users on the importance of environmental protection and management. All three programmes are run by Nature Trust Malta as the Malta representative of the Foundation for Environmental Education organisation.

The Blue Flag National Operator of Malta, Vincent Attard, then presented Mellieha bay with the Beach of Quality Award for 2010. Mr Attard said that Mellieha Bay had during 2009 achieved over 70% of the Blue Flag status criteria. During 2009, Blue Flag Malta held regular audit checks on this beach and monitored it for Bathing Water Quality, beach cleanliness, beach management, health and safety, access to people with special needs, environmental information and educational activities and environmental conservation activities on the beach. Vincent Attard said that Mellieha Bay is on the right track to becoming another Blue Flag Beach. This merits a locality that has also achieved the EU locality of excellence. The bay needs to work harder on Beach management this year and improve its facilities. Mr Attard also praised the Mellieha Mayor for his active role in improving the Beach and aiming for Full Blue Flag status. This should be an example to other localities and their community working for the Blue Flag Eco label.

The turtles were then released among the excitement of all present. The students wished good luck to these turtles that once again found their way home.