Jumeirah hotel group releases 63...

Event marks 20-year milestone of group's Dubai Turtle Rehabilitation Project

Global hotel group Jumeirah has marked the 20th anniversary of its Dubai Turtle Rehabilitation Project (DTRP) by releasing 63 rehabilitated turtles back in to their natural habitat and hosting a discussion around the collective efforts needed to protect the ocean.

Entitled ‘Out of Sight is not Out of Mind: Our Collective Responsibility to Preserve our Ocean’, the panel was held at the overwater Pierchic restaurant ahead of World Sea Turtle Day (16 June).

The panel discussion delved into the most pressing challenges facing our ocean today with panellists included Her Excellency Razan Al Mubarak, President of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN); Barbara Lang-Lenton, Director of Aquarium at Jumeirah Burj Al Arab; Jo Ruxton, founder and Director of Ocean Generation; and Dr Juan Antonio Romero, Mission Blue Scientist, Marine Biologist and filmmaker.

Connecting Travel Editorial Director Sarah Hedley Hymers moderated the panel discussion, which underscored that marine conservation is a shared global challenge requiring collaboration among governments, organisations, businesses and individuals.

Her Excellency Razan Al Mubarak, said: “Over the past 20 years, the Dubai Turtle Rehabilitation Project has demonstrated the powerful role of corporate responsibility in the sphere of environmental care. I commend their ongoing commitment to the health and vitality of marine life, which is crucial for maintaining our ecosystems’ balance.”

Barbara Lang-Lenton expressed her pride in the longevity of the DTRP, saying: “Not only is it an important milestone for Jumeirah, it is also testament to Dubai and the wider UAE’s efforts in enhancing biodiversity through conservation programmes."

She added: "As coastal and maritime tourism flourishes, the importance of preserving our ocean has become even more apparent; marine life needs to thrive in order to fulfil its vital role in the ocean ecosystem, which impacts us all in many different ways."

Speaking to the importance of educating people on how to make a difference, Jo Ruxton, who worked in BBC's Blue Planet before producing her own film, Plastic Planet, said: “My mission is to bridge the gap between people and the ocean. Everyone needs to understand how vital a healthy ocean is to our survival; it supports all life. The ocean is also our biggest ally when it comes to climate change, yet we recklessly exploit and damage this fragile ecosystem."

Emphasising the need for immediate action and the impact of increased awareness efforts, fellow filmmaker Dr Antonio Romero, who worked with Ruxton on the Blue Planet series, said that without the ocean there would be no life.

“Education, public awareness and science are part of bridging the gap between the ocean and us,” he said. “Providing tangible ways in which individuals can support this cause is also paramount in our mission to preserve and protect these precious ecosystems. Together, through heightened awareness and collective action, we can make a difference."

Prior to the event, Jumeirah, together with hotel guests and community members, released 63 rehabilitated turtles back into their natural habitat, bringing the total number of turtles released by the DTRP to more than 2,175 since its launch in 2004.

For more information, visit www.jumeirah.com

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