The Mayor of Calp, Ana Sala, released the turtle recovered by the Hospital del Mar of the Oceanogràfic Foundation on La Fossa beach this morning. This was the first act in this town as part of the campaign "La mar de tots", with which Oceanogràfic wants to address communities that are committed to the sea. The aim of this initiative is to raise awareness among the population about the situation of the marine environment.
The campaign, which is starting now, includes the action "Calp viatja a l'Oceanogràfic" (Capl visits the Oceanogràfic), with a 50 per cent discount on the price of admission to the aquarium purchased over the internet for those born or living in Calp between 16 and 31 January, as well as the dissemination of awareness-raising content through advertising, static street advertising and social networks.
The act of releasing the turtle, which was "christened" Silene, was attended by few representatives of Oceanogràfic, Global Omnium, the Fishermen's Guild, the Royal Yacht Club of Calpe, the Cultural and Ecological Association of Calp (ACEC), Ecologists in Action of Marina Alta and the Dive&Dive centre, due to health reasons.
The young turtle was picked up in Benicarló on 16 December last year, thanks to the collaboration of fisherman Joaquin from the boat Salvador. The animal did not appear to have any anomaly, although it was subjected to an ultrasound and X-ray, as per protocol, as well as various analytical tests until it was deemed fit to return to the sea.
Institutional cooperation
The release was an act of awareness and dissemination by the Oceanográfic - Foundation about the situation of the loggerhead turtle in our seas and how the collaboration of institutions such as the Calp Town Council or the Fishermen's Guild with the Network For Stranded Animals, formed by the Ministry of Environment, the University of Valencia and the Oceanográfic Foundation itself, contributes to the conservation of this species, which is classified as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Ana Sala thanked Oceanogràfic for choosing Calp for the release of this turtle and described the event as "the most beautiful of these last difficult months" marked by the pandemic.
Calp viatja a l'Oceanogràfic (Calp visits the Oceanogràfic).
The special promotion "Calp viatja a l'Oceanogràfic" offers a 50% discount on the adult price and a reduced price, which cannot be combined with other discounts or promotions, for anyone who presents an identity card, registration or other document proving their birth or residence in Calp at the entrance to the aquarium.
Tickets must be purchased on the Oceanogràfic website.