More than 80 Coastal Municipalities Join Forces this Summer to save Sea Turtles

The Oceanogràfic Foundation’s sixth awareness campaign, “Turtles in the Mediterranean,” will be visible on 1,700 urban posters in the Valencian Community, Region of Murcia, Andalusia, and Balearic Islands, as well as in Metrovalencia and Tram d’Alacant stations.

This morning at El Parador de El Saler, the Oceanogràfic Foundation presented the sixth edition of the “Turtles in the Mediterranean” campaign, an environmental awareness initiative that this year involves the participation of more than 83 coastal municipalities in the Valencian Community, Region of Murcia, Andalusia, and Balearic Islands.

Under the already recognizable slogan “We save turtles here,” the campaign aims to inform citizens on how to act if they find a turtle injured or in danger. The main recommendation, visible on the more than 1,700 posters placed in urban and transport locations, is clear: “if you find it in danger, call 112.”

The official presentation included the institutional participation of the Regional Secretary for the Environment, Raúl Mérida, and the Councilor for the Environment of the Valencia City Council, Juan Carlos Caballero, along with the director of the Oceanogràfic Foundation, Leocadia García-Bartual.

On behalf of the Foundation, the Head of Conservation, José Luis Crespo, explained the importance of each warning call upon sighting an animal in danger to activate the Stranding Network of the Valencian Community, composed of the Ministry of the Environment, the University of Valencia, and the Oceanogràfic Foundation itself.

Territorial presence and institutional support

The event also brought together councilors and representatives from key municipalities such as Sueca, Dénia, Gandia, Alboraia, and La Pobla de Farnals, as well as environmental technicians and volunteers who actively collaborate in the protection of sea turtles.

The campaign also has the support of entities such as Global Omnium Fundación Azul Marino, Acuario de Sevilla, FGV, Emergencias 112, the Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències, the University of Valencia, and Paradores de Turismo.

As usual, the posters have been placed in high-traffic areas, both in urban spaces and in Metrovalencia stations, Tram d’Alacant, and coastal points, to reinforce the visibility of the message.

The importance of a call

If an injured sea turtle is detected, calling 112 activates an effective rescue protocol. In the Valencian Community, the Oceanogràfic Foundation team is responsible for going to the area, assessing the animal’s condition and, if necessary, transferring it to the ARCA del Mar, where it receives veterinary care until its recovery and subsequent return to the sea.

Similarly, the campaign takes place in the middle of the sea turtle nesting season, a particularly sensitive period for the species Caretta caretta, in which females approach the coast to lay their eggs. Therefore, it is essential to act with caution and always report any sighting.

A symbolic release in El Saler

To close the event, the authorities and several groups of senior citizens from residences coordinated by the company Savia accompanied the Foundation team to the beach to participate in the release of sea turtle number 974, recovered in the ARCA del Mar of the Oceanogràfic (CACSA – GVA).

This is a 34-kilo male that entered the recovery center of the Valencian aquarium after being accidentally trapped by fishing gear in Gandia on May 29.

Thanks to the María Quito boat, which called 112, the animal was able to enter the center where it received treatment until its recovery. Today it has returned to the sea with a satellite transmitter so that the scientific community can expand knowledge about the biology and migratory routes of this species.