On Friday evening, at around 10pm, a loggerhead turtle was noted laying eggs on Ramla Bay in Gozo, Nature Trust said. The turtle came out of the sea at around 10pm and left around 11.30pm.

This is the first recorded and confirmed nest in Gozo after 70 years.  The last episodes were in Malta in 2012, 2014 and 2018 with the last having a successful hatching rate of 111 from 112 eggs.  Incidentally in Ragusa Bay in Sicily at turtle nests was also reported the previous night, marking an early season like in Gozo. 

Thanks to responsible persons on the beach, Nature Trust - Wildlife Rescue were alerted and NTM  Gozo volunteers where on site within a few minutes to guard the female loggerhead 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 said it 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 much turtles make it safe to the sea.

Nature Trust appealed to the public to keep a distance from the nest and help observe the directives to be issued by ERA  on site to help us make this another successful nesting.

In a statement, the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) said its officials went on site and confirmed that eggs had been laid and proceeded to assess the situation to decide on immediate measures that are to be put in place to ensure that the nest is not endangered in any way.

The Ministry for the Environment, Climate change and Planning and ERA are working jointly, in close collaboration with Nature Trust Malta, the Ministry for Gozo and the Malta Police Force.

The eggs will be monitored, and an Emergency Conservation Order will be issued by ERA to ensure more direct protection to the nesting area. Excessive noise and trampling in the nesting area and unnecessary artificial lighting in the area pose a danger to turtle eggs and any hatchlings which may emerge.

ERA is calling for the public’s collaboration in reducing such impacts. Observations of any environmental illegality or turtle activity should be immediately reported to ERA on 9921 0404 or [email protected].

The loggerhead turtle (Maltese: il-fekruna l-komuni), scientifically known as Caretta caretta is a long-living, slowly maturing marine species that inhabits tropical to warm temperate areas. This species is 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 taking of eggs from the wild is strictly prohibited and constitutes a criminal offence.  In fact, the national ‘Flora, Fauna and Natural Habitats Protection Regulations’ impose a minimum fine of nearly €500 and going up to nearly €2400 for each egg that may be destroyed or taken from the wild. The area where the loggerhead turtles has laid its eggs is also a protected area under the Environment Protection Act (Cap. 549) and a Natura 2000 site through the EU Habitats Directive.