Sea Turtle Nesting Season Begins in Cyprus

The sea turtles of Cyprus have begun laying their eggs along the island’s coastline, marking the start of the annual nesting season. The Department of Fisheries is urging the public to help protect the vulnerable nests.

Each nest can contain between 80 and 100 eggs, according to a department representative.

Yet, despite this high number, only about one in a thousand hatchlings survives to adulthood. This is due to a range of threats—both natural, such as foxes, crabs, fish, and birds, and human-induced factors that continue to put sea turtle populations at risk.

Key human-related dangers include nest disturbance or destruction, marine pollution, artificial lighting, beach erosion, and climate change—especially in nesting hotspots like the protected areas of Lara-Toxeftra and Polis-Gialia.

“These two areas are among the most important sea turtle habitats in Cyprus,” the department noted. “They are protected under the Fisheries Law and related regulations, and are part of the EU's Natura 2000 network.”

Cyprus is home to two species of sea turtles: the loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) and the green turtle (Chelonia mydas). Although they spend most of their lives at sea, these turtles return to the beaches of Cyprus every year to lay their eggs. The first nests of this season were discovered two weeks ago along the beaches of Polis Chrysochous.