The critically endangered turtles are the only sea turtles that lay their eggs in the UAE. EGA’s Sustainability team monitor the beach throughout the nesting season, protect the nests from predators and debris, and rescue any injured or sick turtles.

Some 116 nests have been laid on the beach next to EGA’s operations since the monitoring programme began.

This year, four turtles were found in need of care and were transferred to the Dubai Turtle Rehabilitation Centre at Burj Al Arab, where they now receive expert treatment before being released back into the sea.

Before the nesting season, EGA brings together volunteers from across the company for a beach clean-up at Al Taweelah. In January, EGA employees volunteered in the clean-up and removed some 1,300 kilogrammes of waste washed up from the sea.

Abdulnasser bin Kalban, Chief Executive Officer of Emirates Global Aluminium, said: “EGA is committed to operating responsibly, including by protecting wildlife near our operations. We are proud to play a role in the conservation of these magnificent creatures, which are part of the UAE’s natural heritage and biodiversity. Our team works hard to ensure that our beach is a safe and welcoming habitat for the turtles, and we are delighted to see another successful hatching season.”

The average hawksbill lifespan ranges from 30 to 50 years, with females capable of laying 100 to 150 eggs in one annual nesting season.

The volunteers removed about 1,200 kilogrammes of waste washed up from the sea.

Since 2011, over 100 Hawksbill turtles have laid their eggs at EGA’s Al Taweelah beach, and almost 7,000 baby turtles have hatched.

During the nesting season, EGA’s team tracks turtle nesting patterns, monitors the beach for potential predators, rescues any sick animals, and installs protection measures to safeguard nests and ensure hatchlings have a safe passage to the sea.