A green turtle, which was found wounded in Limassol last June, has since healed under the care of the Fisheries and Maritime Research Department and was returned to the sea, in the presence of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment Minister Costas Kadis, on Wednesday.

In statements after the turtle, symbolically named “Eleftheria” (Liberty), was released, Kadis expressed his satisfaction.

The conservation of the biodiversity and marine diversity in general is included in our priorities, he said.

In Cyprus, the Minister added, we host two sea turtle species, the green turtle and the loggerhead turtle also known as “caretta – caretta”. They are both protected by international conventions and European directives and are two species which reflect the quality of our seas, he added.

Cyprus, he noted, is considered as an example to follow in matters to do with managing sea turtles.

In recent years, he said, the reproduction of sea turtles in Cyprus has increased and European programmes in which Cyprus takes part are considered to be “success stories”.

Kadis lalso asked for the public’s help in incidents where turtles are located wounded.

Every year, he said approximately ten sea turtles are found wounded, are treated at the marine research centre of the Fisheries Department in Meneou, Larnaka and are later released back into the sea.

He also announced a study on the protection of the seals to be found at the Sea Caves in Pafos. All the experts` findings and suggestions on the measures which should be taken, will be adopted and implemented by the state, Kadis noted.