Two loggerhead turtles released back into the Med. Credit: Ayuntamiento de Santa Pola.
Two rescued loggerhead turtles are back in the Mediterranean after being released from Santa Pola following specialist rehabilitation. The turtles returned to the sea from Varadero beach after recovering at the Oceanografic Foundation’s ARCA del Mar centre, with the release also highlighting the important role local fishermen play in protecting marine wildlife along the coast.
Rescued turtles return to sea at Varadero
Two rescued loggerhead turtles have been returned to the Mediterranean from Santa Pola after completing their recovery at the Oceanografic Foundation’s ARCA del Mar rehabilitation centre.
The turtles were released from Varadero beach following rescues in Benidorm and Valencia, where they were found in need of assistance before being transferred for specialist treatment.
Following their rehabilitation, both animals were considered ready to return to their natural environment and were released back into the Mediterranean from the Santa Pola coastline.
Santa Pola fishermen help protect marine wildlife
The release highlighted the important role played by Santa Pola’s fishing community in protecting marine wildlife.
Local fishermen and fishing associations help identify turtles and other protected species accidentally caught or encountered during fishing activities, allowing rescue protocols to be activated quickly.
Santa Pola’s fishermen have developed a particularly close relationship with local conservation projects, reporting accidental captures and sightings so specialists can intervene.
Their involvement means vulnerable marine animals can be identified and transferred for specialist attention when required.
Oceanografic works closely with fishing communities
The Oceanografic Foundation works closely with fishing communities throughout the Valencia region, helping ensure injured or vulnerable marine animals receive specialist care before returning to the wild.
The rehabilitation of the two loggerhead turtles and their eventual release at Varadero beach provided another example of that cooperation between conservation specialists and the fishing community.
Representatives from Santa Pola Town Council, the regional Agriculture department, Santa Pola fishermen’s association, the Aquarium at the Museo del Mar and the Oceanografic Foundation attended the release.
The return of the two turtles to the Mediterranean marked the final stage of their rescue and rehabilitation, allowing them to continue their lives in the wild.
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