Gnejna turtle eggs expected to hatch around Santa Marija
After last week’s issue relating to a privately owned part of Ġnejna Bay, a loggerhead turtle has decided to claim another part of the beach as its private property – at least until mid-August.
For the second time in as many years, a nest of loggerhead turtle eggs has been cordoned off from the public to ensure that the hatching process is not disturbed by man or machine. Ġnejna Bay is currently being monitored by members of Nature Trust Malta, which has urged people to avoid the area, adding that there is nothing to see.
This newsroom spoke with the president of Nature Trust Malta, Vincent Attard, on the most recent developments and other insights into this majestic creature.
All marine turtles are considered endangered and are protected worldwide. The loggerhead (Caretta caretta) is the most common marine turtle in the Mediterranean, closely followed by the leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea) and the green turtle (Chelonia mydas), the latter being more common in oceans.
Being a cold-blooded animal, the loggerhead’s temperature is determined by the sea around it, which is ideally around 2124 degrees Celsius. This gives it a migration pattern which follows warmer waters, adding to the chance of occurrences and sightings around the island as it searches for nesting sites to lay its eggs.
A female turtle lays eggs up to three times a summer, which is why a look-out for more potential nests is constantly required to ensure their safety. Although this loggerhead in particular nested early in summer, they are more likely to nest from May to July, with hatching time between July to September.
The incubation period for the eggs (hatching time) is approximately 60 days. Many variables affect this deadline, particularly the temperate and whether the eggs are buried under the sand. Rain could, and has, also affected the time of hatching. We saw this in Golden Bay two years ago, when eggs hatched on the 57th day due to rain the night before.
Attard pointed out that climate change is having an adverse effect on the species, as the sex of the turtle is determined by the temperature surrounding the egg. This change in median temperature has caused an increase in females, potentially putting the turtle in danger of extinction.
With regard to what the public can do to avoid damaging these eggs while also watching nature takes its course, Attard pointed out that the biggest threat comes from predators and unnecessary vibrations to the egg. For this reason, volunteers and volunteer security personnel are on site, protecting the nest from external forces which could prevent the eggs from reaching the hatching stage.
The eggs are expected to hatch around the feast Santa Marija, on 15 August, at which point the area will be more strictly regulated, both due to the increased sensitivity of the eggs, and to protect the hatchlings. This will include the dimming of lights, and the reduction of noise and vibration emanating from the public and surrounding amenities.
Everyone in the area has been co-operative and even as spirits are high for this to be a successful hatching, Attard concluded by asking the public to keep up this level of co-operation to further enjoy this uncommon occurrence.