Jumeirah marks World Sea Turtle Day | News

Jumeirah, a global leader in luxury hospitality and a member of Dubai Holding, marked World Sea Turtle Day with the release of 23 rehabilitated sea turtles in the Arabian Gulf.

Among them was Foxy, a green turtle fitted with a satellite tracker through the Dubai Turtle Rehabilitation Project (DTRP), allowing her post-release journey to be monitored. With her release, the program has now returned more than 100 satellite-tracked turtles to the wild. Foxy was rescued by a fisherman off the coast of Ras Al Khaimah in January 2025 after losing a front flipper. Coincidentally, DTRP Ambassador Sheikh Fahim Al Qasimi was in Ras Al Khaimah at the time and drove the turtle back to Dubai for treatment and rehabilitation. After more than a year of specialist care, Foxy has made a remarkable recovery, demonstrating strong swimming ability despite her injury.

The fleet of rehabilitated sea turtles released on World Sea Turtle Day followed months of care through the DTRP. Since its launch in 2004, the program has rescued, rehabilitated and returned more than 2,350 turtles to the wild, making it one of the region’s most important long-term conservation efforts. The turtles released included mainly green turtles, in addition to a small hawksbill turtle, many of which had undergone extensive rehabilitation after serious illnesses and injuries, including flipper loss, plastic ingestion and boat strikes. Central to this work is the turtle sanctuary at Jumeirah Al Naseem, a specially designed lagoon that plays a crucial role in recovery. The direct access to the sea, shallow waters, natural food sources and carefully designed facilities – including underwater caves that support rest and buoyancy – create an environment that closely mirrors natural conditions, allowing turtles to regain their strength and instinctive behavior before release.

Barbara Lang-Lenton, Executive Director of Biodiversity at Jumeirah, said: “This work has always been about the individual animals, and what each of them represents. Every turtle we release carries a story of recovery and represents a learning opportunity for us. Every turtle gives us insight into the health of our marine ecosystems, and every turtle we track helps deepen our understanding of marine life in the Arabian Gulf. Releasing more than 100 tracked turtles is an important milestone for the program and will continue to provide valuable insight into migration patterns, habitat use and long-term recovery.”

The DTRP satellite tracking program plays a crucial role in advancing marine conservation research. Since the first tracker was deployed, monitored turtles have traveled thousands of miles through international waters, providing valuable data on migration routes, feeding grounds and regional turtle populations. In addition to tracking, the program continues to contribute to a broader understanding of marine life in the Arabian Gulf. Last year, DTRP rescued Joy, a yearling hawksbill turtle – a significant discovery as juveniles of the species had not previously been observed in the Gulf. The finding, which requires further investigation into potential nesting activity in the region, highlights the valuable role the program plays in supporting both conservation and scientific understanding of local marine ecosystems.

In addition to turtle rehabilitation, Jumeirah continues to expand its broader marine conservation initiatives. At Jumeirah Al Naseem and in partnership with Dubai Reef, coral restoration programs have already yielded more than 9,000 coral fragments, with a target of 10,000 by the end of this month. These corals will be redistributed between Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab and the wider Dubai Reef project, the world’s largest purpose-built reef system and one of the most extensive marine restoration initiatives of its kind.

“This is a program that continues to evolve,” Lang-Lenton added. “What started as a response to injured turtles has grown into something much broader: contributing to research, education and conservation on a large scale. The more we do, the more we realize the opportunities we have to make a lasting impact.”

Jumeirah’s commitment extends across its international portfolio. In the Maldives, guests on Jumeirah Olhahali Island marked World Sea Turtle Day by participating in coral planting workshops, guided reef snorkeling and marine education experiences led by the resort’s resident marine biologist – experiences that are available to guests on an ongoing basis. This is supported by year-round conservation work, including the distribution of coral across Biorock structures and reef frames, monitoring of reef health and regular clean-up and maintenance dives, which have contributed to the steady growth of coral colonies and the return of marine life, including reef fish and eagle rays. In Oman, Jumeirah Muscat Bay partnered with the Environment Society of Oman to host an educational Turtle Mandoos workshop for younger guests, focusing on sea turtle conservation and marine biodiversity in Oman. The initiative is part of a broader sustainability-focused workshop series associated with the resort’s Coral Nursery project, designed to create ongoing awareness of marine conservation through interactive guest experiences and collaborative fundraising initiatives in support of local conservation programs. At Jumeirah Bali, the resort marked the occasion with the release of 30 hatchling turtles in partnership with Eco Tourism Bali.

Earlier in June, Jumeirah DTRP released 10 rehabilitated turtles, including 8 green turtles and 2 hawksbill turtles, from the Jebel Ali Marine Reserve, during an event organized by the Dubai Environment and Climate Change Authority (DECCA). The event was attended by His Excellency Mohammed Bin Thani, the Director General of DECCA, as well as Her Excellency Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, and Her Excellency Sana bint Mohammed Suhail, Minister of Family Affairs.

These interconnected efforts reflect Jumeirah’s broader sustainability vision, based on the principles of people, planet and responsible governance. Central to this is a commitment to being a good neighbor – protecting and preserving the environments and communities in which it operates. With more than half of its properties located along coastlines, conserving marine ecosystems is not just a responsibility, but an integral part of the guest experience and the long-term sustainability of the destinations the company calls home.