Approximately Two Thousand Baby Turtles Released into the Sea in Northern Cyprus Over the Summer

The Center for Underwater Research and Visualization at Eastern Mediterranean University (SAGAM) has reported the results of their summer sea turtle release program. This year, around two thousand hatchlings were released into the sea.

Burak Ali Cicek, Vice President of SAGAM, explained that the Center has been running a project to monitor and protect sea turtles along the coastlines of Famagusta, Yenibogaziçi, and Iskele since 2008, with approval from the Department of Environment Protection.

The project involves collaboration with faculty members and students from the EMU Faculty of Arts and Sciences, the Department of Biological Sciences, as well as volunteers from various countries.

As part of this project, scientific data on sea turtle nesting behavior has been collected, and priorities for their protection during the incubation period on the beach have been established. The main goal is to shield turtles from the negative effects of human activities. Some beaches in the TRNC are designated as protected areas and are closed to visitors after 8:00 PM.

In the protected areas of Famagusta, Yenibogaziçi, and Iskele beaches, there are strict rules including bans on vehicle access, sand removal, leaving organic and inorganic waste, and setting up temporary or permanent structures like tents and umbrellas.

"Unfortunately, we have observed that some members of our community are not following these rules," the expert noted.

To enhance social responsibility, educational activities, especially for children, are conducted. This includes excavating nests and releasing hatchlings during the nesting season.

To make the educational activities engaging, SAGAM specialists release baby turtles who, for various reasons, are stuck in their nests and would die without intervention.

The number of hatchlings released can vary depending on the circumstances, as specialists strive to avoid disrupting the natural cycle. Specifically, in the summer of 2024, around 2,000 hatchlings were released into the sea.

“We ensured that everyone had the opportunity to observe these turtles and that our children could see the hatchlings making their way to the sea. The activities conducted as part of this project are made possible thanks to our sponsors and EMU’s funding,” concluded the Vice President of SAGAM.