16 turtle eggs have hatched at Għadira Bay in yet more positive news on the environmental front, the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) said in a statement on Wednesday.

The ERA said that the turtle nest at Għadira bay that was recorded in July so far yielded 16 hatchlings which emerged from their marked nest at around 21:30 yesterday evening after a successful period of incubation.

They said that the nest will be monitored over the next couple of days as further hatchlings are expected to emerge.

The ERA said that volunteers from Nature Trust – FEE Malta (NTM) immediately informed them of the event taking place and took action on the ground to guide hatchlings safely to the water’s edge.

Hatchlings are naturally attracted to moon light shining on the sea surface and their first response, upon emerging from the eggs, is to swim towards light. In view of this, ERA said that it haskickstarted its planned response to reduce disturbance from artificial light or any physical barriers at the bay so as to ensure that the hatchlings’ first journey is a successful one.

ERA would like thanked NTM, the Ministry for the Environment, Climate Change and Planning (MECP), and all volunteers who contributed their time to achieve the protection of this nest and the strengthening of the marine biodiversity in Malta.