Volunteers needed for loggerhead sea turtles

The Ecological Research Association's (EKAD) Sea Turtle Monitoring and Conservation Project, conducted on the beaches of Belek and Kızılot in Antalya, has opened its volunteer application process. 80 volunteers will be stationed in Belek, while 40 volunteers will be in Kızılot, participating in identifying loggerhead sea turtle nests, assisting in the hatching of hatchlings, and ensuring their safe journey to the sea over a period of 4.5 months.

According to DHA's report, EKAD has been running the Sea Turtle Monitoring and Conservation Project for 26 years on Belek beach, the largest nesting area for loggerhead sea turtles in the Mediterranean Basin, and for 4 years on Kızılot beach. Every year, students mainly from biology, molecular biology, genetics, veterinary, and fisheries faculties volunteer for the sea turtles from May 15th until the end of September.

In 2023, EKAD President Dr. Ali Fuat Canbolat from Hacettepe University stated that a total of 153,000 hatchlings were safely guided to the sea from 2,350 nests on Belek beach and 1,776 nests on Kızılot beach. Dr. Canbolat mentioned that the Sea Turtle Monitoring and Conservation Project lasts for a total of 4.5 months, starting on May 15th and ending at the end of September, with volunteers required to commit to a minimum of 2 months. He added that 80 volunteers will be recruited in Belek and 40 in Kızılot. Dr. Canbolat also explained that applications are ongoing through EKAD's website, mainly targeting university students majoring in biology, molecular biology, genetics, veterinary, and fisheries. However, students from other disciplines are also welcome. He emphasized that volunteers should be energetic, capable of working, and at least 18 years old.

Every day, volunteers patrol the 30 kilometers of beaches in Belek and the 16 kilometers in Kızılot, as mentioned by Dr. Canbolat, who stated that they stay at the campsite in the tolerance garden belonging to the Belek Tourism Investors Association (BETUYAB). In Belek, there are 7 different teams consisting of 3 people each, covering 7 areas. Each team covers approximately 5 kilometers. At 04:30, vehicles distribute the teams to their designated areas. Equipped with technical devices such as GPS, measuring instruments, data collection forms, and nest-finding apparatus, the teams locate and mark the nests, numbering and recording them. Our main goal is to conduct research on turtles, protect nests on the beach, and collect scientific data. Informative sessions are provided to both domestic and foreign tourists. Employees of tourism establishments, especially security personnel, are briefed. Around 11:00, they finish their work and gather at the camp. After breakfast and camp duties, the data collected in the field is entered into computers daily. Finally, an evaluation meeting is held with the team almost every day."

Dr. Canbolat highlighted the high number of applications to become volunteers, noting that last year they received over 300 applications from within the country and more than 50 from abroad. He mentioned that in 2023, out of the 80 volunteers in Belek, 20 were foreigners, and out of the 25 volunteers in Kızılot, 25 were foreigners. Dr. Canbolat also stated that volunteers come from many countries such as China, Australia, the United Kingdom, France, Ukraine, and Russia