Northern Cyprus

Conservation

In addition to monitoring marine turtle activity, threats to nests, hatchlings and adults are assessed. Whilst many nests successfully hatch, others fail to do so. One of the major reasons for this is the high level of predation, mainly by foxes and dogs. One of the aims of this project is to reduce the levels of predation by screening nests. In addition, by relocating nests to safer areas, other problems such as nest loss due to beach erosion and over-wash can be reduced.

A predated nest

The other major threats to marine turtles in Cyprus are: mortality of juveniles and adults as a result of interaction with fisheries.

A juvenile green turtle found entangled in a fishing net.

In addition, large amount of marine litter in their environment, both at sea and on the beach.

Marine litter

Whilst the loss of beach habitat, as a result of tourist development, is a problem in many areas of the Mediterranean, for the moment at least, this is not a major threat to these populations in Northern Cyprus. There still remain many remote and unspoilt beaches where turtles nest.

'Golden beach'