The second edition of the awareness campaign for the sea turtle nesting season has started this week in Mallorca. The aim is for the public to know what to do in the event of finding a sea turtle laying eggs, a nest, a trail or newborn turtles on the sand or arriving at the sea.

Tortuga_Marina_Xavier_Mas

Sea turtle. Photo: Xavier Mas.

¿What to do?

  • Do not disturb the nest: It is crucial not to interfere with the turtle nest. Avoid touching the eggs or moving them from their original location.
  • Mark the site: If possible, the exact location of the nest should be noted. This can be useful for authorities or conservation groups that are in charge of turtle protection.
  • Inform 112: Contact emergency services to report the encounter. This will enable the relevant personnel to travel to the site as soon as possible to take care of the protection and monitoring of the nest.
  • Do not turn on bright lights: Avoid shining bright lights near the nest at night. Lights can disorientate hatchling turtles and direct them in the wrong direction, leading them away from the sea.
  • Keep your distance: Be sure to keep a safe distance from the nest and the turtles. No attempt should be made to dig or open the nest.
  • Awareness and education: It is also important to share information about the importance of protecting turtle nests with friends, family and others. The more awareness there is, the more people will be willing to help and respect the nests.

In short, if you find a turtle nest in Mallorca, the most important thing is not to disturb the animals, respect the distance and call 112 immediately. This is the focus of the awareness campaign launched in the Balearic Islands and promoted by the COFIB, which will be active from 15 May to 15 October. This initiative focuses on raising awareness by means of stickers with QR codes. This year they will be distributed more widely and can be found on beaches, tourist information points, town halls, ports and yacht clubs, diving centres and tourist establishments.

Turtle nests in the Balearic Islands: a recent phenomenon

In 2019 the first nests began to appear in the archipelago. So far, 131 hatchlings have been raised with a survival rate of 93.6%. Up to 2022, seven nesting events were recorded. Three in Ibiza and two in Menorca. In addition to two nesting attempts in Formentera.

The sea turtle is a species classified as vulnerable. Historically, it has nested in the eastern Mediterranean, but in recent years it has intensified the number of nestings on the western side, a phenomenon that scientists relate to the climatic emergency and the increase in sea temperature. This poses a new biodiversity conservation challenge.