The Hawksbill turtle is the only critically endangered sea turtle species known to nest along the UAE’s coastline. Throughout the season, EGA’s Sustainability team closely monitors nesting activity, safeguards turtle nests from predators and marine debris, and provides care for any injured or ill turtles found along the shore.

Some 118 nests have been laid on the beach next to EGA’s operations since the monitoring programme began.

Earlier this year, EGA released seven rehabilitated sea turtles at our Jebel Ali beach, in collaboration with the Jumeirah Group’s Dubai Turtle Rehabilitation Project. The initiative is part of EGA’s ongoing partnership to support the recovery of injured and sick turtles and their return to the wild through the centre near Burj Al Arab. One of the released turtles was tagged with a satellite tracker to monitor its journey.

Abdulnasser bin Kalban, Chief Executive Officer of Emirates Global Aluminium, said: “Our team works hard to ensure that our beach is safe for the Hawksbill turtles return every season. Hawksbill turtles are part of our nation’s natural heritage and we are committed to protecting the wildlife and biodiversity near our operations.”

EGA organises a series of clean-up drives at Al Taweelah and Jebel Ali beach every year to help restore the beach for local wildlife. This year, some 300 employees from across the organisation volunteered for three beach clean-up activities and removed more than four tonnes of washed-up waste from the beach, which was responsibly recycled through authorised waste management partners.

The average female Hawksbill turtle is capable of laying 100 to 150 eggs each nesting season.

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.

Hawksbill turtles are critically endangered, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature.  Each year, EGA’s Sustainability team and volunteers from across the company clear the beach of washed-up rubbish throughout the nesting season, monitor visiting turtles, and protect nests.

Some 110 nests have been laid on the beach next to EGA’s operations since the programme began in 2011, with more than 7,200 turtles successfully hatched.  

EGA also works with the Jumeirah Group's Dubai Turtle Rehabilitation Centre to rescue and rehabilitate injured and sick turtles, although no turtles that needed care were found this year.

Salman Abdulla, EGA’s Executive Vice President of Sustainability and ESG, said: “Turtles were using Al Taweelah beach for nesting long before we built our plant nearby, and it is a priority for us that they can continue to do so every year. We ensure that our operations do not disturb this natural environment, and do everything we can to protect turtle nesting. We want to play our part in ensuring this iconic species thrives.”

Hawksbill turtles have an average lifespan of 30 to 50 years and a female can lay over 100 eggs during each 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.