Suchergebnisse

We report another nesting event by a loggerhead turtle in Ġnejna (Malta), in June 2018, with an extraordinary hatching rate of 99.1%. This follows the previously reported nesting in 2012 in the same bay, and the 2016 event in a nearby beach at Golden Bay, both beaches located in the NW of Malta. Before the 2012 record, scientifically recorded turtle nesting in Malta had only been reported dating back some 100 years, although in one paper it is alleged that turtles may have been nesting in Malta up until some 50-60 years ago. Noting that loggerheads have an average remigration interval of 2 years, it is possible that the same turtle that nested in 2012 came back to Ġnejna to nest again in 2018. It is hoped that DNA analysis, which ideally follows at a later stage, will determine whether it was the same turtle. Campaigns are currently ongoing to solicit greater reporting of nesting. Relocation of eggs is discussed. In this paper we also describe conservation measures that were set-up in this bay and in Golden Bay, including measures during hatching. Emergency conservation orders were issued in all the three nesting events, to protect the beaches in question from any major and potentially harmful activities. The sites were also surrounded and physically protected with a 24 hour monitoring scheme being set-up with the help of volunteers from Nature Trust Malta and government officials.

It is a known fact that 50 to 80% of biodiversity is found in the marine environment. Thus safeguarding marine ecosystems is of critical importance for the sustainable development of present and future generations. The conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in ABNJ is becoming increasingly enticing internationally, as more scientific information is discovered on the productivity of such biodiversity and as we are realising that such biodiversity is also highly susceptible to increasing anthropogenic threats particularly in seamounts, hydrothermal vents and cold-water coral reefs. ; peer-reviewed