[REVISION HISTORY]

Mediterranean sea turtle and seal protection

Updated 9 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-09-13 15:54 UTC → 2026-09-17 08:13 UTC · added ~~removed~~

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 across Antalya, Muğla, Mersin, Adana, and Hatay to guard nesting sea turtles. In Antalya, conservation efforts led by Dr. Ali Fuat Canbolat of Hacettepe University and the Ecological Research Association (EKAD) have seen significant progress. At Kızılot Beach, more than 40,000 Caretta caretta hatchlings have successfully reached the sea. In Mersin, researchers from the Mersin University Sea Turtles Application and Research Center report that roughly 80 percent of nests at the Davultepe 100. Yıl Nature Park have completed hatching, with Dr. Mahmut Ergene noting that 90 percent of these nests belong to green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas). In the ~~Didim district of Aydın,~~ Aydın region, the season reached a milestone in September ~~2026 when~~ 2026. In Didim, 82 hatchlings from a single nest ~~successfully~~ reached the sea, marking the completion of the final nest of the season in ~~Didim. This brought~~ that district and bringing the local seasonal total to 476 hatchlings. The nest, located on a hotel beach, was monitored by the Aydın Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks, the Didim Municipality Veterinary Affairs Directorate, and hotel management. 476. Due to coarse, compact sand, teams manually assisted some hatchlings to ensure they reached the water. In recognition of these efforts, EKODOSD awarded hotel owner Kadir Karakaya a ‘Caretta Friend’ certificate. ~~A total~~ In Kuşadası, local residents discovered hatchlings heading toward residential and commercial areas instead of ~~19 nests~~ the sea. After notifying Bahattin Sürücü, President of the Ecosystem Protection and Nature Lovers Association (EKODOSD), the hatchlings were ~~recorded in~~ guided back to the ~~Aydın region this year.~~ water. Investigations at Söke Sahil Sitesi beach revealed a nest of 64 eggs, from which 59 hatchlings reached the sea, alongside two additional live hatchlings rescued from seagrass roots or disorientation. Sürücü noted that artificial lighting can disrupt navigation and advised citizens to avoid bright lights on beaches at night.

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