Precautions taken to safeguard Gnejna turtle nest after flash storm

Following Sunday’s flash storm that took the island by surprise, the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) and Nature Trust–FEE Malta are taking the necessary measures to safeguard the turtle eggs laid in Gnejna Bay.

Before the rain even began to fall, precautions were taken by way of protective sand-bags put around the nest to divert the water coming from the direction of the valley, mainly to dissuade the dislodging the sand in the cordoned off area.

Whilst the condition of the eggs is unknown, all measures are being taken to secure a successful hatching of the eggs. Although according to a statement by the ERA, the main issue in the Gnejna Bay area is that the upper layer of sand has a layer of blue clay underneath, which tends to retain water, and may get waterlogged. This layer causes a reduction in the amount of air that the turtles in the egg nest need to breathe and develop successfully.

Nature Trust Executive Director Vincent Attard stressed that 40 days in, the eggs are in a very delicate stage of development. He noted that there is not much more that can be done as moving the eggs is out of the question.

The current objective is to keep the risks of damage to the nest down to a minimum, and let nature take its course in the last 20 days of the incubation period.

Attard had previously told this newspaper that the eggs should hatch around the 25th of August.

He had said that new regulations would be put in place by the ERA on 10 August, mainly controlling lights and activities on the beach.

They have already been doing some tests with Enemalta to see how lighting could be altered, whilst also speaking with the individuals who own boathouses and the kiosks in the area.