Turtle ‘trapped’ by Brexit finally gets to go home

The loggerhead turtle, affectionately named "Barnacle Bill" was taken in by the animal shelter GSPCA in Guernsey after Storm Ciarán hit back in November 2023.

The GSPCA team are now overjoyed she will finally be returning to the wild near the Azores - following two years of delays in sending her home due to by "difficult" paperwork complications and Brexit.

GSPCA Manager Steve Byrne added: “To get the news Barnacle Bill is finally on route to warm waters to be released is such amazing news.

“We’ve been told she now weighs over 13kg compared to under 1kg when we rescued her, which means Barnacle Bill is ready to return to her natural habitat near the Azores, where she will have the chance to thrive in the wild and is currently on route to Horta.”

The young female turtle, from the Gran Canaria, had to be nursed back to health after being found washed ashore in Guernsey covered in barnacles and weighing less than one kilogram.

When she was taken in by the (GSPCA), she was only the second loggerhead turtle ever recorded in Guernsey.

But despite swift efforts to repatriate her to warmer waters, Brexit-related complications surrounding CITES health certificates made it impossible to transport her abroad.

Even with a local islander generously offering a private jet and their time free of charge, the paperwork hurdles proved "insurmountable", explained the wildlife team.

After 14 months of care at the GSPCA and with no confirmed date from the Navy, the GSPCA worked closely with Sea Life Brighton, which had just opened its new sea turtle rehabilitation and repatriation centre.

A rapid turnaround in health certification between Guernsey and the UK then meant Barnacle Bill was successfully transferred in December 2024 - with the support of Condor Ferries.

Over the past months, Sea Life Brighton has carefully prepared Barnacle Bill for release - simulating natural conditions including waves and rain, limiting human contact, and encouraging her to forage for food.

Sea Life Brighton curator Joe Williams recently said: “Getting to put her in the water - going back off to hopefully live a long, healthy life - I'm sure will be emotional.”

Similar issues also affected many other UK-rescued turtles, some of whom were later assisted by the Royal Navy in autumn 2024.

Loggerhead turtles are listed as a vulnerable species by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), with threats including habitat loss due to tourism and accidental capture in fishing gear.

Joe explained that turtles often end up in UK waters due to human-led activities such as marine pollution and climate change - but stressed that the British Isles are far too cold for them to survive, even in summer.

Steve said: “If people find turtles stranded on beaches, it would be almost a death sentence for that turtle to return them to the sea.

"Always contact a rescue team instead.

"This recent stormy weather could easily wash turtles in to our shores if in the area so keep an eye out."

Steve added: "Barnacle Bill’s story is a testament to the power of collaboration, compassion, and determination.

"The GSPCA extends heartfelt thanks to all who played a role in her recovery and journey home."