Release of sea turtle hatchlings mobilizes community in Salinópolis
Nearly 80 hatchlings of the olive species have been monitored since the moment of laying, about 50 days ago, by specialists
Atalaia Beach, in Salinópolis, a municipality in northeastern Pará, had another moment of life preservation: the walk of 79 hatchlings of the olive sea turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea) to the sea. The environmental initiative, on the afternoon of this Wednesday (6), caught the attention of children, adults, and members of institutions committed to the defense of marine biodiversity.
The hatchlings have been monitored since the moment of laying, about 50 days ago, by specialists from ARVUT Meio Ambiente and the Instituto Bicho D’água, with support from the Institute of Forest Development and Biodiversity of Pará (Ideflor-Bio). The Sea Turtle Nesting Monitoring Project is a mitigation measure required by federal environmental licensing, conducted by Ibama (Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources).
According to Josie Figueiredo, field coordinator of the project, the release concludes, in 2025, the monitoring cycle of the last nest located at Atalaia Beach. “This was the last nest under our care at Atalaia Beach, but we still have others in Algodoal (in Maracanã) and Soure (in Marajó) that will still hatch,” she informed. According to her, even though monitoring started in June, already at the end of the breeding season, the number of nests was significant.
Participation - The community of Ponta da Sofia actively participated in the release. Marcos Vinícius, 7 years old, said that “it was beautiful. I have seen it before. What I liked the most was when the turtle walked to the sea,” said the boy, who highlighted the importance of protecting marine animals.
A resident of the municipality, student Ludmilla Loureiro emphasized the relevance of the activity as a tool for environmental education. “What we saw today was incredible. The children were enchanted. The assisted release plays a fundamental role in preservation and in forming ecological awareness from an early age,” she stated, reinforcing the role of the school as a multiplier of environmental values.
Awareness - The Secretary of the Environment of Salinópolis, Jéssica Matos, highlighted the symbolism of the activity. “It is a very special and important moment. Seeing nature acting up close makes us value and take better care of the environment. This is a powerful tool for environmental education,” she said, emphasizing that the engagement of the population in actions like this is essential to strengthen the culture of preservation.
Representing Ideflor-Bio, Lena Pinto, Management Advisor, emphasized the role of institutional partnerships in enabling the release. “Today, we are here in the vicinity of the Atalaia Natural Monument, one of our Conservation Units, and it is a great joy to participate in this moment. Our commitment is to the biodiversity of Pará, Brazil, and the world. I thank everyone involved,” she declared.
Species - The olive turtle is one of the seven species of sea turtles found in the world, five of which are in Brazil. Josie Figueiredo reminded that all these species are threatened with extinction and play a vital role in the balance of marine ecosystems. “They are bioindicators. For example, the green turtle feeds on algae that produce oxygen, helping to regulate the marine environment. Preserving turtles is preserving the ocean as a whole,” she highlighted.
In addition to the release, the children participated in educational activities and received gifts with environmental themes. The action moved residents and visitors, who closely followed the journey of the small animals to the sea. A simple gesture, but filled with hope for the future of marine species and the strengthening of collective environmental awareness.
The director of Management and Monitoring of Conservation Units of Ideflor-Bio, Ellivelton Carvalho, emphasized the importance of maintaining community involvement and environmental vigilance on the beaches. “Our expectation is that initiatives like this inspire more people to take care of the sea and the beings that inhabit it. After all, each small turtle that reaches the ocean represents a victory for nature,” he concluded.
