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The principal objectives of Me. Ü. DEKUYAM include (a) research, (b) conservation, (c) education (especially environmental awareness), and (d) supporting of rehabilitation efforts of marine turtles. In 2015, a complementary group named Mediterranean Turtles and Nature Conservation Association (Akdeniz Kaplumbağaları ve Doğa Koruma Derneği - AKKAP) was established in Mersin. Currently, Me. Ü. DEKUYAM and AKKAP work together. There are other centers working on sea turtles in Turkey, including at Mustafa Kemal University (in Hatay), Pamukkale University (in Denizli) and Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University (in Çanakkale). Additional, there is Mersin Sea Turtle Rescue, Rehabilitation and Information Center which is supported by the Republic of Turkey Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.

Along the Mediterranean coast of Turkey, important nesting grounds for both Caretta caretta (loggerhead turtle) and Chelonia mydas (green turtle) sea turtles have been identified by various studies conducted on the beaches (Türkozan & Kaska 2010) (Fig.1). In the Mersin region, the important nesting beaches include Alata (Aymak 2004; Aymak et al. 2005; Ergene et al. 2006a, 2009; Türkozan & Kaska 2010), and Davultepe 100. Yıl (Ergene et al. 2010; Ergene et al. 2016a). The beaches of Mersin are important sites because both green and loggerhead turtle regularly nest here (Fig.1).

Figure 1. The important nesting beaches for marine turtles in Turkey (modified from Türkozan & Kaska 2010).

One of our priority actions is to survey marine turtle nesting activity along the Mersin coasts. Since 2002, our research team in Mersin University has conducted studies on green turtle, loggerhead turtle and Nile soft-shelled turtle (Trionyx triunguis) on several beaches around Mersin, except for 2006, when survey data were collected only in Demre (Kale) beach, Antalya (Ergene 2006c; Ergene et al. 2007a).

Beaches regularly surveyed for nesting activities

Kazanlı beach: This 6.1 km long beach is an important site for green turtle nests in Turkey (Fig. 1). Additionally, loggerhead turtles regularly nest in small numbers here, and this beach is designated as a Natural SIT (protected) area (Türkozan & Kaska 2010). This beach is in the southern Mediterranean coast of Turkey, approximately 12 km from the center of Mersin. D-7 Drainage channel (Çomak) (36.8044°N, 34.7882°E) is located at the most eastern part of Kazanlı beach and Soda Sanayii A.Ş. and Kromsan Factory (36.8113°N, 34.7238°E) at the western end of the beach (Fig. 2). The most suitable part of the beach for sea turtle nesting is the eastern 4.7 km portion (Uçar et al. 2020; Aymak et al. 2020). We started monitoring and conservation studies on sea turtles in 2006 during the nesting season (Ergene et al. 2006b, 2013). Then, between 2009 and 2016, our studies continued for eight nesting seasons without interruption (Şengezer 2012; Ergene et al. 2012b, 2015, 2016b; Uçar et al. 2018a). Additional studies include: the age distributions of dead stranded loggerhead turtles collected from Kazanlı beach, determined by skeletochronology (Yaşar 2010); the haematological, biochemical and genotoxic properties of loggerhead and green turtles (Kaya 2011); and invertebrate infestation on green turtle nests on this beach (Aymak et al. 2020).

Figure 2. A sketch map of Kazanlı Beach with its sectors and the back structure (modified from Elmaz & Kalay 2006; not to scale).

Davultepe 100. Yıl beach: This beach, 2.8 km in length, is another important nesting area for green turtles in Turkey, and also has a small number of loggerhead turtle nests laid annually (Ergene et al. 2010, 2012a, 2016a,b; Ergene 2014) (Fig. 3). Davultepe is located between Kandak Stream (36.7241°N, 34.5056°E) in the northeast and Onur Resort (36.7089°N, 34.4735°E) in the southwest of Mersin, and includes Davultepe public beach, the picnic area and Gümüşkum (100. Yıl) Natural Park (Ergene et al. 2016a, Fig. 3). The Gümüşkum Natural Park, designated on 7 November 2011, is 1.8 km long and located between Kandak Stream in the northeast and Kuğu Resort (36.7168 °N, 34.4882 °E) in the southwest (Fig. 3). The Park is administered by Mersin Sea Turtle Rescue, Rehabilitation and Information Center and the Republic of Turkey Ministry of Forestry and Water Affairs, 7th Regional Directorate, Section of Mersin (Ergene et al. 2016a). Initial surveys began in 2006, when 23 nests were documented on this beach (Ergene 2006). Subsequently, seasonal surveys on green and loggerhead turtle nestss have been conducted since 2009 without interruption (Ergene et al. 2010; 2012a,b; 2016a,b; Ergene 2014). As a result of the our monitoring studies, the Sea Turtles Science Commission in Turkey declared this beach as a sea turtle nesting area in 2019.

Figure 3. A sketch map of Gümüşkum Natural Park of Davultepe 100. Yıl Beach with its sectors and the back structure (not to scale, modified from Ergene et al. 2010).

Alata beach: This beach is another important nesting site for green turtles, and also has a small number of loggerhead turtle nests laid annually (Fig. 1). This beach is 30 km from the center of Mersin and is located within the borders of Alata Horticultural Research Institute, which is a 1st degree natural site. It extends over 3 km from the marine resorts in the east of the Research Institute (36.6322°N, 34.3531°E) to the Topraksu camping site, which belongs to the Research Institute (36.6145°N, 34.3285°E), at the western end of the beach (Aymak et al. 2017; Fig. 4). Alata nesting beach was first surveyed in 2002, and was subsequently registered as an official sea turtle nesting beach of Turkey in 2005. Monitoring and conservation studies on green and loggerhead sea turtles have conducted since 2002 by our research team (Aymak 2004; Aymak et al. 2005; Ergene et al. 2006a,b, 2009, 2012b, 2016b). Other research projects based on this study beach include: genetic polymorphism of green turtle hatchlings using mtDNA-RFLP analysis (Hançer 2010); microsatelite locus analysis omn green turtles (Kaçar 2011); age distributions of dead stranded loggerhead turtle individuals using skeletochronology (Yaşar 2010); haematological, biochemical and genotoxic properties of loggerhead and green turtles (Kaya 2011); carapacial scute variation of green and loggerhead turtle hatchlings (Ergene et al. 2011); and invertebrate infestation in green and loggerhead turtles nests (Aymak et al. 2017).

Figure 4. A sketch map of Alata beach with its sectors and the back structure (Aymak et al. 2017; not to scale).

Göksu Delta beach: The Göksu Delta, nearly 35 km in length, is an important nesting area for loggerhead turtles in Turkey (Fig. 1) and the beach is designated as Special Environmental Protection Area (Durmuş et al. 2011). This area is recognized as a ‘Reproduction and Conservation Zone for Water Birds’ as well as included in RAMSAR and 1st degree Natural Site (Durmuş et al. 2011). The Göksu Delta (36.2647 °N, 33.9766 °E) is located at 80 km west of Mersin (Durmuş et al. 2011) (Fig. 5). The Turkish Authority for the Specially Protected Areas coordinates regular monitoring of the Göksu Delta for nesting activities of sea turtles by providing financial support for researchers from different Turkish universities. We participated in field studies on sea turtle nests during 2004 nesting season. Subsequently, nesting activity of loggerhead turtles has been observed in cooperation with Dokuz Eylül and Mersin Universities in this beach.

Figure 5. A sketch map of Göksu Delta with its subsections of dense nesting sites (from Durmuş et al. 2011).

Anamur beach: Anamur Beach, 12.7 km long, is located in the south of Anamur, Mersin, Turkey and is an important nesting area for loggerhead turtles. The historic town of Ören (Anamurium) (36.0200°N, 32.8036°E) is located at the most western part of the beach and Pullu Forest Camp (36.0877°N, 32.9145°E) at the eastern end of the beach. The beach is divided into 5 sectors from southeast to northeast by Sultansuyu (Sultançayı, rivulet), İskele (the wharf), Dragonçayı (Kocaçay, rivulet) and Mamure Castle (Uçar 2009; Fig. 6). During the 2006 and 2007 nesting seasons, the populations of loggerhead turtle, green turtle and Nile soft-shelled turtle, which all nest on Anamur beach, were investigated (Uçar 2009). In addition, estimates of loggerhead hatchling sex ratios were generated, based on gonad histology of dead hatchlings and late stage embryos collected from this beach (Uçar et al. 2012).

Figure 6. A sketch map of Anamur Beach showing the sub-sectors, beach structures, and nest density (from Uçar et al. 2012; not to scale).

Demre (Kale) beach: This beach, located between Beymelek lagoon and Kale town in Antalya province, is almost 8.5 km in length and consists of five subsections: Çayağzı (36.2300°N, 29.9398°E), Sülüklü, Taşdibi, Beymelek-Sıfat beach and Beymelek-Dalyan beach (36.2593°N, 30.0697°E) (Ergene et al. 2007a; Fig. 7). The nesting activity of loggerhead turtles on this beach was investigated only during 2006 by our group (Ergene 2006c; Ergene et al. 2007a).

Figure 7. A satellite imagine of Demre (Kale) beach showing the sub-sectors: 1. Demre Çayağzı Beach, 2. Demre Sülüklü Beach, 3. Demre Taşdibi Beach, 4. Beymelek-Sıfat Beach, 5. Beymelek-Dalyan Beach (modified from Google Earth Pro, 29 October 2020).

To successfully monitor the Mersin beaches for sea turtle nesting activities, Me.U.DEKUYAM accepts volunteers from different departments of our university and all other universities. Additionally, the center conducts public awareness campaigns in Mersin. Towards this end, our center participates in various public events, including science festivals, nature education and science support programs at public schools, various activities with different associations such as the annual Caretta bicycle festival, beach cleaning campaigns, etc. Furthermore, our center participated in “Social Responsibility Activities” program of the Introduction to University Life (ÜYG) course, which targeted students from different departments who were newly enrolled in the university, in order to inform both them about studies on research, conservation, education on sea turtles and nesting beaches. The center hopes to raise awareness of sea turtle conservation needs in fishermen, and perhaps recruit them in protection and data collection activities. In terms of postgraduate education at Mersin University Institute of Science that focused on sea turtles, four M.Sc. theses (Aymak 2004; Yaşar 2010; Kaya 2011; Şengezer 2012) and one Ph.D. dissertation (Uçar 2009) were completed under the supervision of Prof. Dr. S. Ergene and two M.Sc. theses (Hançer 2010; Ergene 2014) were completed under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Y. Kaçar and Prof. Dr. B. Cicik, respectively.

In addition to our efforts in research, conservation, education on sea turtles in Mersin, we also participate in rehabilitation efforts. We started in 2007 when we received an injured loggerhead turtle with large-scale fractures and fragment loss on its skull. We engaged specialists from Mersin University, including a veterinarian, a doctor from the Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, a doctor from the Department of Neurosurgery, and three biologists from Department of Biology to treat and care for this turtle. Despite our best efforts, it was unable to recover from its injuries and died after 41 days (Ergene et al. 2007b; Fig. 8).

Figure 8. The operation from the head trauma of loggerhead sea turtle in veterinary clinic.

Later, in 2010, the Mersin Sea Turtles Rescue, Rehabilitation and Information Center was established in Gümüşkum Natural Park of Davultepe Beach, with initial support from the Republic of Turkey Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Section of Mersin and subsequently from the Republic of Turkey Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. This rehabilitation center and Me. Ü. DEKUYAM work in collaboration. When injured sea turtles are found on the beach during regular field observations in the nesting seasons, initial interventions are performed at the beach, then the injured turtles are taken to the rehabilitaiton center in Davultepe 100. Yıl beach for further medical treatment and rehabilitation.

Overall, Me. Ü. DEKUYAM greatly benefits from being located close to nesting beaches in Mersin and coordinates regular monitoring of beaches in Mersin for nesting activities, engaging volunteers from Turkey and all around the world. Me. Ü. DEKUYAM has also engaged in collaborative research (Güçlü et al. 2009; Türkozan et al. 2013, 2018; Uçar et al. 2018b), and is interested in pursuing more collaborative projects with both national and international researchers. Organizations interested in receiving information about Me. Ü. DEKUYAM and AKKAP may follow us on the our social media addresses below:

Me. Ü. DEKUYAM:
<http://www.mersin.edu.tr/akademik/deniz-kaplumbagalari-uygulama-ve-arastirma-merkezi>
<http://www.instagram.com/dekuyam/>

AKKAP:
<http://www.facebook.com/groups/998103066896385>

Acknowledgements. During different sea turtle nesting seasons, our studies were supported by the Mersin University Scientific Research Fund, Şişecam Group and the Republic of Turkey Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Directorate General for Nature Conservation and National Parks. Additionally, since 2002 the wire cages and warning plates for the protection of sea turtle nests on all beaches were provided by the Ministry. In Alata beach, the support of personal accommodation was provided by the Republic of Turkey Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Directorate of Alata Horticultural Research Institute since 2002. In addition, we thank everyone who has helped to realize the projects and the local community of Mersin and non-governmental organizations, for their voluntary works.

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