The spate of positive marine light sightings continues with the news of a loggerhead turtle coming ashore on the island of Gozo in the Mediterranean to lay eggs – the first to do so since 2018.
According to Nature Trust – FEE Malta, yesterday evening, at around 10pm, the female loggerhead turtle was noted laying eggs on Ramla Bay in Gozo, before returning to the water around 11.30pm.
Thanks to responsible people on the beach, Nature Trust – Wildlife Rescue were alerted and NTM Gozo volunteers were on site within a few minutes to guard the female loggerhead turtle and the nest.
The Environment Resource Authority was immediately alerted and now ERA will decide on the most appropriate way forward to ensure that the nest is not put in any danger. ERA will assist in the process till the hatching which, if all goes well, is expected to occur between mid- to end-July.
Nature Trust – FEE Malta will now be roping in its volunteers to work with ERA officials for the protection of the nest. One particular challenge on this bay is the ghost crab, a particular crab that may pose a danger to the young turtles when they hatch. For this reason, the duty volunteers will, as in previous years, be prepared during the hatching to ensure as many turtles make it safely to the sea.
The last nestings were in Malta in 2012, 2014 and 2018, with the last having a successful hatching rate of 111 from 112 eggs.
