World Sea Turtle Day 2022

16th Jun 2022

“Advice from a sea turtle: Swim with the current; Be a good navigator; Stay calm under pressure; Be well-traveled; Think long-term; Age gracefully; and spend time at the beach!”.

- Unknown (A sea turtle, maybe!)

22 years ago, the world came up with the brilliant idea of specifying the 16th of June as World Sea Turtle Day! On this day, people from all over the world unite to raise awareness of the importance of protecting sea turtles from the brink of extinction. Today, Ocealics also joins the sea turtle lovers’ community in celebrating this precious day and promoting the protection of sea turtles in Dubai.

In this blog, we answer some frequently asked questions about sea turtles in Dubai and sea turtle encounters during deep-sea fishing trips in Dubai.



1. Why was 16 June chosen as World Sea Turtle Day?

Sea turtle conservationists from all over the world came to agree on choosing 16 June as the world sea turtle day in honor of Dr. Archie Carr’s birthday, the founder of the Sea Turtle Conservancy in Florida, and of the early sea turtle conservationists of our blue planet

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Dr. Archie Carr with a Sea Turtle - World Sea Turtle Day



2. Are sea turtles frequently encountered during Dubai fishing tours?

Frankly, it is extremely rare to encounter sea turtles during deep-sea fishing trips. This is likely due to the fact that sea turtles spend most of their time underwater and only come to the surface to take a breath. Furthermore, to date, no sea turtle has ever been accidentally hooked while deep-sea fishing with Ocealics.



3. Are sea turtles protected under the UAE’s Laws and Regulations?

Sea turtles are protected from fishing or killing under the UAE’s Laws and Regulations. In particular, Articles 28 and 40 the Federal Law No. 23 of 1999 regarding the Exploitation, Protection and Development of the Living Aquatic Resources In the Waters of the State of the United Arab Emirates, explicitly ban fishing or capturing sea turtles in the UAE. Intentionally fishing for sea turtles is a criminal offense punishable by law.



4. How to care for sea turtles when going on deep-sea fishing tours?

Different measures can be taken during a fishing trip to preserve and protect Dubai sea turtles. Such measures include the following:


  • Never dump waste into the ocean, particularly non-biodegradable waste such as plastic. Plastic pollution is a worldwide leading cause of death for sea turtles!
  • Feeding sea turtles is a big NO.
  • Do not touch sea turtles! They do not enjoy it and it can cause serious life-threatening harm to the turtle.



5. What to do if you accidentally hook a sea turtle whilst on deep-sea fishing trips?

If you accidentally hook a sea turtle while fishing in Dubai, a good starting point is not to be afraid! Fear can cause you to act irresponsibly and harm the turtle. You will not be held legally liable for accidentally hooking a sea turtle during your fishing trip in Dubai.

Follow the steps below to ensure the turtle is safely released back into the water:


  • Keep your hands away from the sea turtle’s mouth and flippers.
  • Attempt to remove the hook from the turtle’s mouth without touching it, if possible.
  • If it was not possible to remove the hook from the turtle’s mouth, cut the fishing line as close as possible to the turtle’s mouth and release it.


Turtles are our friends! Let’s not have an ocean without them

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Book your next fishing trip now!

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