Ministry of Environment starts "Save Turtles" campaign

With the start of the turtle hatching season in Qatar, the Ministry of Environment is launching a campaign to protect and conserve the turtle population in the Qatari waters.

The 'Save Turtles' campaign will focus on the Hawksbill species, one of the most endangered and highly important to Qatar.

With the launch of 'Save Turtles' logo, the campaign begins in collaboration with Qatar University (QU) and Qatar Petroleum (QP), the ministry announced.

The hatching season presents a rare opportunity for nature enthusiasts to witness young turtles hitting the water for their long voyage into the ocean. It takes around 30 years for female hatchlings to return, amazingly, to the same beach for nesting.

Nesting sites are spread along northern beaches of Qatar. Ideal place to watch baby turtles (the hatchlings) is Fuwairit beach, which also happens to be the most important nesting site for Hawksbills in Qatar.

Marine turtles are one of the most fascinating creatures in the world. They feed and dwell in the seas, but offer us a glimpse of their lives when they come ashore for nesting and laying eggs.

There are seven species worldwide, five of which are 'Critically Endangered' and two are 'Vulnerable'.

Qatari marine waters is home to three species of sea turtles, including Hawksbills that is ecologically, economically and culturally important to Qatar. [More on The Peninsula]