The turtle nest at Għadira bay that was recorded in July so far yielded 16 hatchlings which emerged from their marked nest at around 9:30 yesterday evening after a successful period of incubation. The nest will be monitored over the next couple of days as further hatchlings are expected to emerge.
Nature Trust – FEE Malta (NTM) and volunteers who were present, immediately informed the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) of the event taking place and took action on the ground to guide hatchlings safely to the water’s edge.
Hatchlings are naturally attracted to moon light shining on the sea surface and their first response, upon emerging from the eggs, is to swim towards light. In view of this, ERA kickstarted its planned response to reduce disturbance from artificial light or any physical barriers at the bay so as to ensure that the hatchlings’ first journey is a successful one.
ERA would like to thank NTM, Ministry for the Environment, Climate Change and Planning (MECP), all volunteers who contributed their time to achieve the protection of this nest and the strengthening of the marine biodiversity in Malta. ERA also thanks all other entities that cooperated in this event.
23 September 2020
Photo/Video by ERA/Mark Zammit Cordina
