Lorca beaches protect loggerhead turtle nesting sites

The unspoilt beaches of Lorca are typical of those which attracts female loggerheads

Over recent years there has been a significant return to the beaches of some parts of the Spanish Mediterranean coast of the loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta), not only in terms of visits but also in terms of the females actually laying their eggs in mainland Spain after an absence of more than a century (the first instance in modern times was in Almería in 2001).

The cause of this may be a warming of the sea temperatures brought about by climate change, but although nesting in Spain is becoming more common there is still concern over the number of eggs which are left in peace and quiet to hatch successfully. For this reason, great efforts have been made to protect nesting sites from over-curious onlookers, and eggs are often removed to hatch in captivity.

One self-preservation feature of the loggerhead turtle is its preference for laying eggs in locations where there are not too many humans, and for this reason the relatively un-built-up beaches on the Lorca coastline in south-west Murcia are particularly attractive to the females, as a result of which the Town Hall is involved in an ongoing campaign to raise awareness of the situation among beachgoers. This year the municipality is once again collaborating with the “Territorio Tortuga” and “Tortugas por el Mediterráneo” initiatves through the installation of placards and informative panels both at the beaches and in the city, reminding people that a couple of simple procedures are enormously helpful to protect the loggerheads.

For example;

- Anyone who finds a nest of turtle eggs, or tracks which may indicate that a turtle has nested on the beach (the eggs are buried under the sand), should immediately call the 112 emergency services line

- Keep a respectful distance from the site and ensure others do the same, remaining in situ until the specialists arrive at the scene

- Avoid the use of torches, flash photography and the like, so as not to distract the female while she lays and buries her eggs

Above all, remember that of course the months from June to September attract a large number of people to the sandy beaches of the Region of Murcia, but they are also attractive to female loggerhead turtles – who belong, unlike us, to an officially endangered species!

For more local information about Lorca, including news and what’s on, enquire at the tourist office (Palacio de Guevara, telephone 968 441914, email lorcaturismo@lorca.es, or visit the home page of Lorca Today.