Today, Environment Minister Juan María Vázquez released two subadult loggerhead turtles at Torre Derribada beach, San Pedro del Pinatar. These turtles, part of the Caretta caretta species, are the first to be rescued, treated, and released on the coasts of Murcia in two thousand twenty-five. Both turtles underwent in-depth clinical assessments and showed no injuries, indicating they were in good condition.

The turtles were previously rescued after being entangled in fishing nets, with one found approximately two point five kilometres from San Pedro del Pinatar and weighing thirty one point seventy-five kilograms, while the second was around three kilometres away and weighed twelve point six kilograms. Minister Vázquez acknowledged the vital role of local fishermen in the rescue efforts.

The two released turtles will join four others of the same species released last year. They were marked with a microchip and identification ring as part of the Marine Turtle Marking Programme run by the Ministry for Ecological Transition. Loggerhead turtles are currently classified as vulnerable, facing threats such as plastic ingestion and accidental capture in fishing gear.

As part of the project ‘Deepening Knowledge of Threats Affecting Cetaceans and Sea Turtles in the Region of Murcia’, the goal is to enhance scientific understanding of threats to these species and pursue measures to mitigate these impacts. This effort is funded by the European Union under the Recovery, Transformation, and Resilience Plan twenty twenty one.