Protection of sea turtles in Türkiye

Where turtles and tourists cavort

Survival is a matter of luck

The Turkish Mediterranean coast is a nesting region for three of the seven sea turtle species. On the beach of Titreyengöl near the tourist hotspots of Antalya and Side, there is a nesting beach for the loggerhead turtle and the green sea turtle, which has not yet been officially declared a nesting zone.
Between May and September is the nesting and hatching season – of all times when many sun-hungry holidaymakers flock to the Turkish Mediterranean beaches. The region around the 9 km stretch of beach where the turtles nest alone hosts 400,000 tourists a year.

Many dangers lurk on the beach

The threats to turtles begin as they lay their eggs. Mother turtles will return to the water with their eggs if they feel threatened on the beach, are agitated by noise, or notice tourists taking pictures disrupting the natural laying cycle. Even when egg-laying is successful the nests are still at risk. They can be destroyed by fires on the beach, fishing lines, hooks, and nets that wash up on the shore, as well as by parasols in the sand. Newly hatched infants may also struggle to break through the compacted sand as a result of high tourist footfall and perish in the ground. Turtles typically hatch at night. They navigate by the moonlight as they make their way to the water but light pollution from bars, restaurants, and shops causes the animals to become disoriented and wander aimlessly on the beach. All these factors decimate the population of these already endangered species. Voluntary measures by the community, such as beach patrols or information and education work for hotel staff and tourists, have so far provided little relief.

Therefore, since May 2023, DER Touristik Foundation has been supporting the project partner DEKAFOK, which has already set up an observation and information centre on Titreyengöl beach. With the support of volunteers, the staff carry out daily beach checks during the nesting and hatching phase to check and document both eggs and baby turtles and then protect them with grids and signs.