Bizerte: Sea Turtle Returns to Wild After Three Months of Care

An environmental awareness day dedicated to the sustainability of the marine ecosystem took place in Ghar El Melh, Tunisia. The initiative, supervised by the governor of Bizerte, aimed to promote marine and coastal environmental protection among young people and visitors during the summer period.

The event was spearheaded by the Ghar El Melh Maritime Fishing Professional Training Center, the National Institute of Marine Sciences and Technologies (INSTM), the Ghar El Melh House of Culture, and the TunSea Association for Participatory Science. As part of the TunSea Restore project, the TunSea Association installed two educational panels on the sand dunes of Ghar El Melh. These panels highlight the crucial ecological role of dunes in safeguarding the coastline from erosion and degradation, while also detailing restoration and conservation efforts.

Organizers emphasized the importance of adopting environmentally conscious behaviors and increasing public participation in preserving natural resources. A symbolic moment of the day was the release of a sea turtle, nicknamed "Khadra," back into its natural habitat. The turtle had undergone three months of treatment and care provided by INSTM under the supervision of Dr. Olfa Chaieb. This release underscored the value of collaboration between scientific institutions, associations, and local stakeholders in protecting marine biodiversity and Tunisia's coastal ecosystems.