Sea World’s Research and Rescue Foundation has released 13 Green Turtles into Moreton Bay near Brisbane, Australia, after their rehabilitation at the Sea World Turtle Hospital.

Some of the turtles were stranded in late 2007, said Sea World’s Director of Marine Sciences, Trevor Long.

“The majority of these turtles came to Sea World with ‘floating syndrome’ which relates to a blockage in the animal’s gut, trapping gas and inhibiting the turtles’ ability to dive and feed,” he said.

“Additionally, turtles are bought to the hospital after consuming considerable volumes of plastics, which is why it is so important to never discard rubbish into the waterways.”

The non-profit turtle rehabilitation program began in 1989, with four animals cared for. The scheme has now taken in a total of 353 individuals with 175 successful releases, and now rehabilitates an average of 34 turtles each year.

The turtles released this week were helped back to the sea by Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation, Andrew McNamara, who said the Queensland Government was working to help ensure the survival of turtles in Moreton Bay.

“We recently introduced tougher litter laws aimed at deterring people from polluting our waterways,” he said.

“The State Government has also proposed an extension of “green zones” and “go slow” zones, as part of the Morton Bay Marine Park Draft Zoning Plan, to help protect our wonderful marine life.”