Fifteen sea turtles have been released on Punta del Raset beach in Dénia after being raised at Valencia’s Oceanogràfic as part of the Head Starting conservation project run by the Oceanogràfic Foundation. The turtles came from three of the four nests laid last summer by a turtle known as Diana on Marineta Cassiana beach.

Other hatchlings remain under specialist care at the Oceanogràfic’s Arca del Mar centre and are expected to be released in the coming weeks. The event coincided with World Oceans Day and brought together local officials, conservation groups and volunteers who helped to protect the nests.

Two of the turtles were sponsored by Agrado Cosmetic, and one has been fitted with a satellite transmitter to track its movements and gather scientific data on the species’ behaviour in the Mediterranean.

With the nesting season now beginning on Mediterranean beaches, the Oceanogràfic Foundation has reminded the public to call 112 if they spot a turtle or signs of a nest, and to avoid approaching, touching or disturbing the animal. Officials say public cooperation remains vital to protecting loggerhead turtles along the Valencian coast.