Friday, June 13, two turtles were released into the water by Christian Estrosi and the Emergence association. On the sidelines of the UNOC, this action strengthens the will to protect the marine environment, mobilizing the youth.
Nicea and Unoc both returned to their sea on Friday morning. From the hands of Christian Estrosi and the Emergence association, they set off to rediscover their natural habitat, far from the care centers. The release of these loggerhead turtles is symbolic for this last day of the United Nations Conference on the Ocean. After the meetings and measures taken during the week, nature concludes this international event. For a new beginning.
A symbolic release
Around 9:35 am, Christian Estrosi put on his gloves to hold one of the two turtles. An emotional moment, particularly related to their history. Nicea, six kilos, “was found in a fisherman’s gillnets, who had the very generous gesture of alerting about this find. The turtle was sick, injured,” said the mayor of Nice. Unoc, eight kilos, was found “a few kilometers from here. Luckily, she had a chip that allowed us to trace her entire journey. She came from Spain and had a lung infection,” explained Christian Estrosi.
In the front row behind the barriers, schoolchildren and the people of Nice watched in awe, their eyes wide open. There was a crowd, and little space to observe the turtles well. It was the hushed voices that conveyed the impressive parade of these reptiles to the water.
A morning dedicated to marine protection
Beyond the release of these two turtles, the event also served to alert about marine pollution. And thus the issue of ocean waste. “People behave recklessly. We fight them, we issue fines, but that does not prevent collecting more than a ton of waste every morning. I salute all the NGOs,” said Christian Estrosi.
Combating pollution, to prevent turtle care from becoming a sad routine. For the Emergence association, which cared for the injured turtles, this is a battle of crucial importance. “Waste is the primary identified threat to sea turtles. In 100% of dead stranded turtles, we find waste. The ingestion of waste is problematic,” explained Sidonie Catteau, a representative of the association.
This area of the Mediterranean, along the coast of Nice, is going to become a marine protected area (MPA). A decision that will enhance the protection of the sea and its biodiversity. Not to mention, a few kilometers away, the Haliotis 2 station, with its water treatment efforts aimed at reducing microplastics.
Raising awareness among the young
Invited, CE2 and CM1 students had the chance to be in the front row for the sea release of Nicea and Unoc. A unique moment in the service of education on environmental protection. “Educate children and grandchildren to pass on to them that the gesture we will share together is a gesture to protect all the animals that make up the rich biodiversity of the Mediterranean,” Christian Estrosi explained before directly addressing the children: “Remember one thing, children. Every time you find a piece of paper or plastic on a beach, you need to take action and pick it up. Because it all ends up in the water afterward.”
The students were then able to discuss with Pierre-Paul Leonelli, deputy mayor responsible for cleanliness, about the actions to be taken to preserve our biodiversity. He gave them a small fun book, “Tutu at the Beach,” to understand the impact of bad human behaviors on turtles in particular. Before leaving, keychains and recycled objects were made available as souvenirs. Every single one of them eagerly grabbed these little gifts.
