Jumeirah celebrates sea turtle day with conservation milestones

Jumeirah, a Dubai hotel chain, has released 72 rehabilitated sea turtles back into their natural habitat in celebration of World Sea Turtle Day.

 

The release included Hawksbill and Green turtles, marking a significant milestone for the Dubai Turtle Rehabilitation Project (DTRP), which has returned over 2,300 turtles to the wild since its launch in 2004.

 

Najeeb, an 80kg male Green turtle rescued in December 2024 with severe injuries, was one of the turtles fitted with a satellite tracker, allowing the DTRP team to monitor his journey after release.

 

The release also marked a significant step forward in the ongoing mission to protect marine life and preserve biodiversity in the Arabian Gulf.

 

This year, the DTRP reached a significant conservation milestone with the rare rescue of a Loggerhead baby, a species not known to nest in the Arabian Gulf. The tiny turtle, discovered earlier this year, represents an important finding in marine science for the region, as there are no previous records of Loggerhead turtles nesting inside the Gulf.

 

To further celebrate World Sea Turtle Day, Jumeirah hosted an intimate release of 135 sea turtles on its pristine beachfront in Abu Dhabi, while guests at Jumeirah Bali witnessed the release of newly hatched turtles into their natural habitat. The event also featured an engaging educational program on sea turtle conservation and the importance of protecting marine biodiversity.

 

Jumeirah has been expanding its marine conservation initiatives through coral restoration efforts, one of several projects under the ‘Planet’ pillar of its sustainability strategy. A new coral nursery at the Turtle Lagoon in Jumeirah Al Naseem is now visible to guests and incorporated into daily educational experiences. In collaboration with ecosystem restoration specialists Ocean Revive, the team is researching and testing new technologies to grow and reintroduce corals into the sea.

 

Jumeirah continues to support DUBAI REEF, a pioneering purpose-built reef development that aims to increase marine biodiversity and protect the emirate's coastal ecosystems. The three-year initiative will see over 20,000 reef modules deployed across 600 square kilometers to restore marine habitats and support the growth of indigenous corals, thereby enhancing marine life.

 

“This was a remarkable moment for our team and a meaningful step forward in our understanding of sea turtles in the Gulf,” commented Barbara Lang-Lenton, Director of Aquarium at Jumeirah Burj Al Arab and DTRP lead. “Sea turtles have remarkably complex biology, and there is still much to uncover about their behaviours, migration patterns, and nesting habits in this region. Each new finding, like this one, helps us piece together a more complete picture of their presence and life cycles in the Gulf, guiding future conservation efforts." -TradeArabia News Service