Kumköy beach faces renewed pollution in protected nesting area

The Kumköy beach in Antalya, a 3.2-kilometer stretch designated as a ‘Qualified Natural Protection Area,’ has once again become covered in waste. Located between the Aksu Stream and Beşgöz Stream under the responsibility of the Aksu Municipality, the area serves as a critical nesting site for the endangered caretta caretta sea turtles.

Visitors have left behind significant amounts of litter, including plastic water bottles, glass beverage containers, disposable plates, cups, food packaging, and bags. The lack of trash bins on the beach has contributed to the accumulation of waste, which has spread across large areas of the sand. In addition to plastic and glass, significant amounts of cigarette butts and food scraps were observed.

Furthermore, the beach shows signs of human activity that threaten the ecosystem, such as charred wood remains from fires lit on the sand. These remnants, along with scattered debris, have been left uncleaned in areas where the turtles lay their eggs.