# Mediterranean sea turtle protection > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/turkey-marine-wildlife-protection > Updated: 2026-07-31T06:40:10.000Z. Sources: 18. Developments: 10. Protection measures for Mediterranean marine turtles have intensified throughout the region. Since May 2026 Turkish authorities have designated a coastal cave in Kemer as a protected breeding site for the endangered Mediterranean seal and imposed night‑time bans on 21 beaches to guard nesting sea turtles. Volunteers and park staff secured dozens of loggerhead and green turtle nests on Çıralı, Tekirova, Göynük, Belek and other sites, using cages and regular monitoring. The Meritta Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Center celebrated its eighth anniversary by releasing four rehabilitated turtles, raising its cumulative releases to 212. In early July, the first hatchlings of the season were recorded on Belek Beach, part of the EKAD‑run program that has guided over 1.5 million hatchlings to sea since 1994. Greek volunteers from the Archelon Society observed the inaugural Caretta caretta hatchlings on 14 July at Dafni beach, Zakynthos, confirming the opening of the island’s nesting season and reiterating public guidelines to protect the young turtles. New research from EKAD has identified additional nesting habitats for the critically endangered Nile turtle (Trionyx triunguis) in Antalya’s rivers, highlighting threats from coastal development, concrete river channels, fishing hooks and tourist feeding. At the same time, Belek’s 32‑year protection project reported roughly 100 nests hatching this season, producing an estimated 4‑5 thousand new turtles, with monitoring continuing through September. The coordinated effort of NGOs, universities and government agencies remains key to sustaining the growing turtle populations along the Mediterranean coastline. On 31 July, the first green sea‑turtle (Chelonia mydas) hatchlings of the season emerged from nests on Davultepe 100th Year beach in Mersin’s Mezitli district and reached the Mediterranean Sea. ## Claims - The first green sea turtle hatchlings of the season emerged on Mersin beaches. (corroborated by 4 sources) - The hatchlings reached the Mediterranean Sea. (corroborated by 4 sources) - The nests were located at Davultepe 100th Year beach in the Mezitli district of Mersin. (corroborated by 4 sources) - Monitoring of the hatchlings was conducted by the Mersin University Sea Turtle Application and Research Center. (corroborated by 4 sources) - Dr. Mahmut Ergene said the period is the most exciting for sea turtles. (corroborated by 4 sources) - Main threats to the turtles include litter, vehicle tracks, uncontrolled human activity and climate change. (corroborated by 4 sources) - Some nests were flooded by a storm and sea water, submerging them. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Public are warned not to use lights on the beach at night or hand‑carry the hatchlings. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The Meritta Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Center has treated 251 injured or sick sea turtles since its founding. (single source) - 212 of the treated turtles have been released back into the sea. (single source) - The center achieved an approximately 86 % rehabilitation success rate. (single source) - Northern Cyprus hosts one of the most important sea turtle nesting areas in the Mediterranean. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-07-31: Green sea turtle hatchlings emerge on Mersin beach, reach Mediterranean First green sea turtle hatchlings of the season emerged on Mersin’s Mezitli beach and reached the Mediterranean, monitored by Mersin University researchers who warned against lights and handling. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/green-sea-turtle-hatchlings-emerge-on-mersin-beach-reach-mediterranean ### 2026-07-27: Turkey's endangered turtles confront habitat loss and human threats Turkey’s Nile and Caretta turtles face habitat loss, development, fishing and tourist feeding, while new nesting sites in Antalya and mass hatchings at Belek highlight ongoing conservation efforts. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/turkeys-endangered-turtles-confront-habitat-loss-and-human-threats ### 2026-07-17: Zakynthos Sea Turtle Hatchlings Mark Start of 2026 Nesting Season Archelon volunteers reported the first 2026 Caretta caretta hatchlings on Zakynthos’s Dafni beach, urging locals to avoid lights, night visits, and handling to protect the turtles. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/zakynthos-sea-turtle-hatchlings-mark-start-of-2026-nesting-season ### 2026-07-14: Belek, Turkey witnesses first 2026 sea turtle hatchlings Belek beach in Turkey saw its first sea‑turtle hatchlings of 2026 on July 11, part of a long‑running conservation effort that has released over 1.5 million turtles since 1994. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/belek-turkey-witnesses-first-2026-sea-turtle-hatchlings ### 2026-07-12: Turkey's Iztuzu and Belek beaches record sea turtle nesting surge Turkey's Iztuzu Beach hit 400 sea turtle nests, while Belek Beach saw its first hatchlings, marking a conservation milestone. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/turkeys-iztuzu-and-belek-beaches-record-sea-turtle-nesting-surge ### 2026-07-10: Meritta Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Center Marks 8th Anniversary with Turtle Releases Meritta’s 8‑year anniversary workshop saw four turtles released, while a rescued green turtle named Zeytin was freed after 50 days of care in Antalya, highlighting regional conservation efforts. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/meritta-sea-turtle-rehabilitation-center-marks-8th-anniversary-with-turtle-releases ### 2026-07-08: Mersin Sea Turtles Nest Amid Conservation Efforts Young locals in Erdemli, Mersin protected a nesting sea turtle; experts say the season started late but nest numbers are strong and the turtle population is rising, urging public to keep distance. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mersin-sea-turtles-nest-amid-conservation-efforts ### 2026-06-19: 38 Sea Turtle Nests Protected on Kemer’s Çıralı, Tekirova, and Göynük Beaches In Kemer, Turkey, 38 loggerhead and green sea turtle nests were recorded across Çıralı, Tekirova and Göynük beaches and have been caged and monitored by local environmental groups and hotel staff. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/38-sea-turtle-nests-protected-on-kemers-ral-tekirova-and-gynk-beaches ### 2026-06-04: Turkey bans nighttime access to 21 Mediterranean beaches to protect sea turtles Turkey bans night access to 21 Mediterranean beaches to protect nesting sea turtles, imposing fines up to 699,245 lira; daytime use remains allowed. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/turkey-bans-night-access-to-21-beaches-to-protect-sea-turtles ### 2026-05-23: Turkey secures new protected habitat for endangered Mediterranean seals in Kemer Turkey's Kemer district protected a coastal cave at Döküntü Bay as a breeding site for endangered Mediterranean seals, installing barriers and signs to curb human disturbance. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/turkey-secures-new-protected-habitat-for-endangered-mediterranean-seals-in-kemer --- Cite as: Mediterranean sea turtle protection. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/turkey-marine-wildlife-protection