Antalya sea turtle hatchlings begin journey to the Mediterranean

Conservation efforts are ongoing in Antalya, Turkey, as endangered Caretta caretta sea turtle hatchlings begin their journey from nests to the Mediterranean Sea. Under the ‘Sea Turtle Monitoring and Protection Project’ led by Ali Fuat Canbolat of the Ecological Research Association (EKAD), volunteer teams are monitoring nests along a 65-kilometer stretch of coastline.

Fatih Polat, the EKAD Kızılot Region Project Manager, reported that approximately 4,500 nests have been identified this season, including 1,700 in Manavgat, 2,300 in Belek, and 350 in the Kundu-Lara region. While this number is lower than the 7,000 nests recorded in previous years, Polat noted that sea turtles nest every three to four years, and a higher density is expected next year.

So far, about 25,000 hatchlings have successfully reached the sea. The nesting process, which typically occurs between May and July, has extended into the first week of August due to weather conditions and is expected to continue until October 15. Polat warned of human-induced threats, specifically noting that lighting fires on beaches and digging up nests pose serious dangers to the species.