Violetta, Ramon and Stella – three loggerhead turtles that were nursed back to health at San Lucjan Centre, were released back into the sea at Gnejna this afternoon.

Violetta and Ramon spent 10 months at San Lucjan, the former underweight and suffering from a skin infection and the latter having been hurt when it got entangled in fishing lines.

Stella, who got caught on a fish hook, spent six months in rehabilitation at the centre.

Environment Minister Mario de Marco, who was present for the turtles’ release, underlined the importance to save turtles, which are in danger of extinction.

The Malta Environment and Fishing Authority, he said, prohibited fishing for turtles, helped fishermen with guidelines on how to handle turtles and was taking part in an EU funded project, Life+, through which €1 million were being spent on gathering turtle related data including on conservation, migration patterns and habitat.

Dr de Marco also thanked the 150 volunteers who assisted with guarding the turtle eggs in Gnejna last summer.