A turtle has laid eggs in Gnejna, prompting the authorities to cordon off the area.

The area is now being monitored by members of Nature Trust Malta, which urged people to avoid the area, adding that there is nothing to be seen.

Loggerhead turtles have an incubation period of about 55 days.

In 2016 a turtle had laid her eggs at Golden Bay, with 66 of them hatching after 56 days of incubation.

The environmental NGO said that volunteers are needed to guard the nest on a 24/7 basis. Interested people should contact the NGO on [email protected].

 

ERA statement

Following reports that a loggerhead turtle nested at Ġnejna Bay, Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) officials went on site and confirmed that eggs had been laid and proceeded to assess the situation and decide on the most appropriate way forward to ensure that the nest was not in any danger. This is the second confirmed nesting in Ġnejna, the most recent episode being in 2012. 

The Ministry for the Environment, Sustainable Development and Climate Change, PARKs and ERA are working jointly, in close collaboration with Nature Trust Malta and the Malta Police Force, whereby the Ministry will be providing officials to complement the volunteers on a 24/7 shift basis.

The eggs will be monitored and an Emergency Conservation Order will be issued by ERA to ensure more direct protection to the nesting area. Notwithstanding this, the Ġnejna Bay area is very rich in clay soils which, following rains may lead to clogged areas, possibly leading to breathing issues for the turtles in the eggs. Excessive noise and trampling in the nesting area and unnecessary artificial lighting in the area pose a danger to turtle eggs, and as such public collaboration in reducing such impacts is appreciated. In view of this, a 24/7 surveillance period is being set up between the Ministry, ERA, PARKs, and volunteers from Nature Trust Malta.

Observations of any environmental illegality or turtle activity should be reported immediately to ERA on 99210404 or [email protected]. 

The turtle in question is a loggerhead turtle (Maltese: il-fekruna l-komuni), scientifically known as Caretta caretta, which is a long-living, slowly maturing marine species that inhabits tropical to warm temperate areas. This species is currently classified as globally endangered by the World Conservation Area (IUCN) and is also protected by various national and international legislation. Capturing, killing, taking, and trading these turtles, as well as the deliberate disturbance of these species, particularly during the period of breeding, rearing and migration, is prohibited and subject to legal action. Even the destruction of eggs or the taking of eggs from the wild is strictly prohibited and constitutes a criminal offence.  In fact, the local Flora, Fauna and Natural Habitats Protection Regulations impose a minimum fine of nearly €500, going up to nearly €2400, for each egg that may be destroyed or taken from the wild. Ġnejna Bay itself is a Natura 2000 area.