Plastic waste and abandoned nets in the sea have become a widespread crisis for sea turtles and other marine species. Many individuals suffer painful injuries or are forced to drag debris for life, a tragic consequence of human neglect.
This year, twenty-two live sea turtles arrived at the Palma Aquarium Foundation center. Of these, fifteen required medical attention for health problems caused by entanglement in plastics and fishing nets, which continues to be the primary reason these animals reach rescue facilities. The pattern is clear: debris on the surface and seabed traps swimmers, divers, and wildlife alike, with turtles bearing the heaviest consequences.
Recently, both the Balearic Islands Environment Agency and the Foundation participated in a coordinated release of a rescued sea turtle back into the wild after recovery at the center. The turtle, named Papaya, surfaced in June following a sighting and has now been released at Mondragó Natural Park, a protected coastal area where it can regain its natural life. Papaya weighed 35.7 kilograms upon discovery and was found with its front flippers and neck entangled in a ghost net, an abandoned fishing gear that continues to catch and harm marine life even after being discarded.
The release was celebrated as a testament to ongoing conservation efforts and cross-agency cooperation, underscoring the importance of rapid response when injured wildlife is spotted. The rescue teams emphasize that handling or removing entangling materials without professional supervision can worsen injuries or endanger the animal.
Call 112 if injured turtles are seen
There is a documented marine fauna rescue protocol for cases where a protected species is barely visible. In instances involving sea turtles, the recommended action is to notify authorities and allow technicians authorized by the regional conservation department to intervene. Attempting to detach or handle the turtle without proper expertise can lead to infections in the fins, disruption of circulation, and ultimately fatal complications if the plastic fragment remains in place.
Data from this year show ongoing coastal wildlife activity: the Environment Department, in collaboration with Palma Aquarium, recorded 48 sea turtles and 16 marine mammals in Balearic waters. Within the Balearic Islands, sightings included 27 turtles on Mallorca, 10 on Menorca, 7 on Ibiza, and 4 on Formentera.
Beyond entanglement, ingestion of plastics accounts for a second major reason sea turtles come into care. In this period, four turtles were saved specifically due to plastic ingestion; other cases involved accidental capture, trauma, or illness. The persistent presence of ghost nets along the seabed creates a lethal trap for multiple species, a problem that demands urgent remediation to prevent further slow, painful deaths.
Environmental authorities have long warned about this hazard and continue to advocate for removal and prevention. The ongoing effort includes public awareness, swift reporting of injured wildlife, and actions to reduce the amount of debris entering coastal waters. The aim is to protect the entire marine ecosystem from the top to the seabed, ensuring healthier habitats for turtles and other residents of these waters.
Environment department contact address: [redacted]