Release of Loggerhead Sea Turtles in Puerto Banús
On Tuesday, 23rd July, forty-nine loggerhead sea turtles were set free into the sea from Levante beach in Puerto Banús. These hatchlings were born in Marbella last year, after their eggs were discovered on El Rodeíto beach in July 2023 by a man walking his dog.
Protection Plan for Loggerhead Sea Turtles
Following the discovery of the eggs, a comprehensive protection plan was initiated for the species. A year later, the turtles have been successfully released back into the sea. The Marbella town hall, the Junta de Andalucía, and the Produnas association have been instrumental in the success of this process.
Monitoring the Turtles’ Movements
The first ten turtles released were fitted with radio-marking devices for future tracking, while the rest were released without such systems. Diego López, the councillor for beaches, explained that this technical measure will enable detailed monitoring and study of the turtles’ movements.
Public Awareness Campaign
Since the discovery of the eggs last summer, there has been an ongoing public awareness campaign about the importance of conserving this species. The campaign has received significant media attention and volunteers were enlisted to guard the eggs until they hatched.
Incubation and Hatching of the Eggs
Out of the 69 eggs laid by the sea turtle on El Rodeíto beach, nearly a dozen were moved to Bioparc Fuengirola for artificial incubation. The rest remained on the coast, resulting in almost 50 hatchlings. The nest required special surveillance for 50 days, carried out by environmental officers and volunteers from the Produnas association.
Post-Hatching Care and Release
After hatching, the turtles were cared for in several facilities, including the Centre for Studies and Management of Marine Environment (CEGMA) in Algeciras. Here, the sea turtles grew until they reached one kilogram, at which point they were released into the sea, close to their birthplace.
Preserving Marine Biodiversity
José Antonio Víquez, from the Junta de Andalucía, hailed this as a significant achievement for the life cycle of these species and for the preservation of marine biodiversity.
‘Headstarting’ Process
The turtles underwent a process known as ‘headstarting’, which involves caring for them during their first year of life until they reach a size that significantly reduces their natural mortality rate. This effort aims to increase their survival and ensure that they return to our coasts to lay their eggs when they reach adulthood.
