Home / News / Turtles / Caretta Caretta in Belek Need Protection
Loggerhead Sea Turtle from Wikipedia

Caretta Caretta in Belek Need Protection

(From turkishdailynews.com.tr) Turkey- Sea turtle nesting areas have created an alternative form of tourism in the Mediterranean region, but experts are concerned that the vulnerable creatures are still not being adequately protected. Out of eight species of sea turtles in the world, five exist in the Mediterranean, and two of them, the Caretta caretta and Chelonia mydas, regularly nest on Turkey”s Mediterranean shores. Belek coast, the second most important nesting area after the Zakynthos Island of Greece, is the largest nesting area with more than 1,000 nests.

Threats facing the Caretta carettas

There are two basic limitations that need to be taken into consideration in the protection of the sea turtles: the use of the spawning belt and use of electric light sources, said Canbolat, who highlighted that many hotels along the Belek coast are sensitive about the use of deck chairs within the spawning belt.

Electric lighting, on the other hand, prevents mature sea turtles from coming to the beach in order to lay their eggs and prevents hatchlings from returning to the sea, he noted, adding that they ask the hotels to turn off the unnecessary lights during the night or to at least lower them.

A further precaution the foundation has taken to protect the sea turtles is to cage the nests in front of the tourist establishments to prevent damage. In order to ensure a complete protection of these nests, security personnel from the establishments are also provided with the necessary information and are charged with keeping the nests safe from harm until the hatchlings emerge.

 

(By BETÜL ÇAL)

Read Full Article

Check Also

Horrifying video shows Indonesian locals riding distressed sea turtle

A disturbing video of Indonesian locals riding a clearly distressed giant sea turtle has surfaced.