Sea turtle mortality in Turkish coastal waters

A series of sea turtle deaths has been reported in the İzmir and Aydın regions of Turkey, raising concerns regarding local environmental conditions and human activity.

In mid-August, an adult female Caretta caretta was found dead near Pananos Beach in the Selçuk district. The Ecosystem Protection and Nature Lovers Association (EKODOSD) noted no external trauma, suggesting the turtle may have died from ingesting plastic waste. EKODOSD also reported that the area is suffering from degradation due to uncontrolled human activity, including vehicles driving on sand dunes and heavy litter pollution.

By September, four more turtles—including three juvenile green sea turtles and one adult Caretta caretta—were found dead in Kuşadası Bay. EKODOSD President Bahattin Sürücü indicated these deaths coincided with the start of the fishing season. While no external wounds were immediately visible, experts suggested the animals may have drowned as bycatch in trawl nets. Samples from both incidents have been sent to Adnan Menderes University for scientific analysis.