Calblanque beach, in the Calblanque Regional Park of Cartagena, was the scene of a truly emotional day. There, 28 loggerhead sea turtles ( Caretta caretta ) were released back into the sea after spending a year under the care of experts at various centers across Spain. The event was attended by the president of the Region of Murcia, Fernando López Miras, and the mayor of Cartagena, Noelia Arroyo , as well as dozens of volunteers and children who participated in the release.
These tortoises hatched in the summer of 2025 from a nest discovered in the same Calblanque area. After hatching, the hatchlings were transferred to specialized facilities to complete their first year of life using a technique known as headstarting , a method that promotes the growth of the hatchlings during their most vulnerable months and increases their chances of survival when released back into the wild.
28 turtles return to the sea in Calblanque
The release took place last Tuesday, July 14th, and each turtle was fitted with an identification microchip. This device will allow researchers to track their movements throughout the Mediterranean and collect data on their behavior and development. During the event, López Miras emphasized that “the Region of Murcia has become a benchmark for a vulnerable and threatened species like the loggerhead turtle.”
The specimens spent their first year in different facilities: the Murcian Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Research and Development (IMIDA), the Oceanogràfic in Valencia, and the Marine Animal Recovery Center of Asturias, located in the Bioparc Aquarium in Gijón. There, they received individualized monitoring with growth checks, veterinary examinations, and blood tests to ensure their well-being before release.
A year of development in specialized centers
The conservation program that made this release possible relies on the headstarting technique , which involves keeping the hatchlings in captivity during their first months of life to protect them from natural predators. The 28 turtles arrived at the center in Asturias in October 2025 , as newborns, and since then the veterinary team has closely monitored each one.
In addition to the microchip, scientists have collected data on its weight, size, and health status. This information will be key to better understanding the species' migratory patterns and to designing future conservation strategies in the western Mediterranean.
The Region of Murcia, a refuge for the loggerhead turtle
Since the first loggerhead turtle nest was detected on the Murcian coast in 2019, the Region of Murcia has released a total of 293 hatchlings. This figure includes both turtles born on regional beaches and animals rescued and rehabilitated at the El Valle Wildlife Recovery Center. President López Miras emphasized that the Region can “boast of currently having one of the largest networks of volunteers” dedicated to the protection of this species.
In fact, this year two out of every three nests located on Spanish coasts have been found on the Murcian coast. This data confirms the Region's growing importance as a breeding area for loggerhead turtles in the Mediterranean. The 'Territorio Tortuga' volunteer network, made up of 16 associations, has been fundamental in locating and protecting the nests, as well as in alerting the authorities to any signs of activity.
During the event, Mayor Noelia Arroyo reminded everyone that these turtles "will travel the world" but that, according to experts, they will return to the beaches of Calblanque in about 20 years to reproduce . Therefore, she appealed to the public to continue collaborating in the conservation of the coastline.
Two new openings in 2026
This year's nesting season has also brought good news. In just five days, two new clutches have been recorded: one on July 3rd in La Manga, with 75 eggs, and another on July 8th in Cala de los Dentoles, within the Calblanque Regional Park, with 92 eggs. These two nests together contain 167 eggs, which remain protected and monitored while awaiting hatching, expected in the second half of August.
With these two new nests, the Murcia coastline has now recorded eleven nesting sites since records began. This trend shows that the region's beaches are being chosen with increasing frequency by female loggerhead turtles to complete their reproductive cycle. The 'Turtle Territory' program has been key to this success, combining conservation efforts with public awareness campaigns.
Authorities remind the public that if a turtle is spotted or there are signs of a nest, it is crucial to call 112, maintain a safe distance, not touch the animal, and avoid using flashlights or other cameras. Public cooperation remains essential to ensure the survival of this vulnerable species and to keep the beaches of Murcia a safe haven for loggerhead turtles.
