Six Loggerhead turtles were returned to their natural environment today, following months of rehabilitation at the Turtle Rehabilitation Unit in Fort San Luċjan, Marsaxlokk.
The turtles were released in the presence of Rural Affairs Minister George Pullicino, Parliamentary Secretary for the Environment Mario de Marco, and Nature Trust (Malta) volunteers, including the NGO’s Marine Rescue Team.
The turtles had been rescued by fishermen, boat owners or divers and volunteers after getting trapped in nets or after having swallowed swallwing fishing hooks or plastic bags. They are only released back to the sea when it is evident that they are healthy and growing steadily.
The reptiles sometimes get caught on hooks while eating fishing bait; the hooks and lines cause infections that may lead to a cruel death, so fishermen are advised to take injured turtles to San Luċjan for treatment as soon as possible. In the case of long fishing trips, fishermen are advised to cut the line close to turtles’ mouths, avoiding the nylon getting into their digestive system, thus giving the turtles a higher chance of survival.