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Sea turtles have arrived, jellyfish have left the beaches

The population of Rhopilema nomadica jellyfish, which migrated from the Red Sea and increased along the Mediterranean coast, has started to be seen on the shores of Mersin. Thousands of dead jellyfish, especially seen on the shores in February and March, caused concern before the tourism season. The jellyfish left the beaches as the weather warmed and green sea turtles arrived in large numbers to lay their eggs. Professor Dr. Deniz Ayas from the Department of Seafood Processing Technology at Mersin University stated that there is no cause for alarm on the beaches. Noting that the jellyfish were cleared from the beaches as expected at the beginning of June, Prof. Dr. Deniz Ayas said: "Currently, there are no jellyfish on our beaches. The number of jellyfish in the Mersin Gulf has been increasing over the last 10 years. Especially the 'migratory jellyfish' known as 'Rhopilema nomadica' has increased significantly. There is a population surge in February that remains until the end of April. We observed a similar trend this year. At the end of April, with the warming weather and the arrival of green sea turtles, they left the beaches. Sea turtles, including Caretta carettas, feed on them. They are still present in open waters at depths of 300-400 meters. If there are no currents bringing them to the shore, we do not expect to see jellyfish on the Mersin beaches during the summer. This species, which always has the potential to affect tourism, is not expected to impact tourism this year."

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

Sea turtles are under human threat

In the Aegean Region, which hosts the important tourism resorts of Turkey, the garbage left on the beaches threatens the lives as well as the visual pollution it creates. EKODOSD President Bahattin Sürücü reminded that garbage should not be left on the beaches in order not to harm the endemic seagrass and the sea turtles that feed there. Ecosystem Conservation and Nature Lovers Association (EKODOSD), which carries out important works for the protection of the historical and natural beauties of Aydın, pointed out the human pressure on the Aegean coasts and stated that the garbage thrown around threatens the beaches. EKODOSD President Bahattin Sürücü pointed out that seagrasses and, in parallel, underwater life are under threat due to coastal pollution, human-induced deaths of caretta caretta sea turtles, which use the Kuşadası Bay as a feeding area, continue. A sensitive citizen named Metin Irmak, who was cruising in the sea off the coast of Kuşadası, noticed a sea turtle standing still on the water and reported the situation to the Ecosystem Conservation and Nature Lovers Association (EKODOSD). EKODOSD President Bahattin Sürücü, who went to the region upon the notice, stated that they thought that the dead turtle, which was found dead after his examination, was caught in the ghost net as bycatch and drowned. “Nylon bags cause the death of sea turtles” Emphasizing that many turtles lose their lives as bycatch every year, Sürücü; “A sea turtle was reported dead on the water surface while cruising in the sea by the sensitive nature lover Metin Irmak. It was determined that the sea turtle is a Caretta caretta species, necessary measurements were made, tissue and keratin samples were taken. No incisions or bruises were found in the examination of the turtle. Sea turtles usually die by suffocation when they accidentally get caught in the net because they cannot get to the water surface to breathe. Ghost nets left under water threaten the life of many sea creatures, especially sea turtles. Citizens who come to the beaches to swim and sunbathe during the summer months, fill the beaches at night in order to relax and rest with the effect of the heat. Although awareness and sensitivity to the environment have increased today, all wastes are left on the shores after being eaten and drunk by some unconscious people. As a result of this human-induced pollution, many waste materials are transported to the sea. Especially since the nylon plastic bags in the sea are swallowed by sea turtles, mistaking them for jellyfish, they cause the death of these creatures. “We must take care to keep our shores clean” While the flowering sea plant of the Mediterranean, which is endangered and found only in the Aegean and Mediterranean, is among the endemic species, EKODOSD called for protection for the endemic plant, which is defined as the forest of the sea. Noting that the flowering sea plant of the Mediterranean, posidonia oceanica, which is on the protection list of the World Union for Conservation of Nature, is disappearing day by day due to boat anchors and waste, EKODOSD President Bahattin Sürücü said; “Destruction of seagrass is equivalent to deforestation in forests” In addition, Sürücü pointed out that the coast of Kuşadası is a region rich in sea; “The coasts of Kuşadası have areas rich in seagrass called posidonia oceanica, the flowering sea plant of the Mediterranean that allows sea creatures to reproduce and feed. Seagrass are very important for the nutrition of green sea turtles, which are herbivorous species. Carettas hunt in seagrass, while feeding, hundreds of tiny creatures feed on the crumbs spilled from their mouths. When these wastes left on the beach are transported to the sea, they negatively affect both the plant and many sea creatures, especially sea turtles, since they cover the sea noodles underwater. Being aware of all this, we should take care to keep our coasts clean, throw our wastes in the garbage containers located nearby, and warn those who do not.

Warning before tourism season: 'Do not touch the carettas'

Ortaca's Iztuzu Beach, which is shown as one of the best beaches in Europe, is home to caretta carettas, which are in danger of extinction. Director of the Sea Turtles Research Rescue and Rehabilitation Center, Professor Doctor Yakup Kaska, warned about sea turtles before the tourism season in Muğla, where approximately 3 million domestic and foreign tourists are hosted annually. DEKAMER Director, Professor Doctor Kaska, said: "Non-experts should avoid interfering with wild animals. Feeding these animals causes changes in their behavior and causes them to be harmed. No wild animals, including sea turtles, should be touched or fed." Kaska warned that "When turtles are seen in the sea, their glides under the water should be watched from afar".

#Sea Turtles

Sea turtles have arrived, jellyfish have left the beaches

Volunteers needed for loggerhead sea turtles

Sea turtles are under human threat

Warning before tourism season: 'Do not touch the carettas'