The beaches of Dénia have witnessed an extraordinary event for marine biodiversity with the hatching of 128 sea turtles (Caretta caretta) over the weekend. Of these, 48 came from a controlled nest at the "Campamento Tortuga" in Les Albaranes, while the remaining 80 hatched from a previously unlocated nesting site on Les Deveses beach.
Twenty of the newborn turtles have been transferred to the Oceanogràfic, where they will receive care and grow to adulthood before being released back onto Dénia's coast. The other turtles began their journey towards the Mediterranean Sea, making contact with the waters for the first time.
The first nest, located in Les Albaranes, saw 31 turtles hatch on Friday, followed by another 17 later, totaling 48. Two volunteer divers documented the turtles' first contact with the sea.
The surprise nest on Les Deveses beach was discovered on Saturday night by walkers who observed the turtles heading towards the sea. The "Campamento Tortuga" coordination team, with collaboration from the Universitat de València and marine biologists from the Oceanogràfic, arrived at the scene. From this nest, 80 turtles hatched, with 70 reaching the sea and 10 being taken to the Oceanogràfic.
With these new nests, there are now five located this summer on Dénia's beaches, confirming the coastline as a significant hub for marine life. The remaining three nests in Les Albaranes are expected to hatch soon, and the appearance of further unlocated nests is not ruled out.
