Protection efforts for Caretta Carettas continue

As the season draws to a close, monitoring and protection efforts for sea turtles, carried out by the General Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks of the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change in Fethiye, continue at full speed. While intense efforts are made to ensure Caretta caretta hatchlings safely reach the sea, Dr. Doğukan Mutlu, Lecturer at the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Üsküdar Üniversitesi, emphasized that human activities and light pollution pose a serious threat to the hatchlings. Mutlu underlined that the support of local people plays a critical role in the success of the conservation efforts. 

In the project carried out in the Fethiye-Göcek Special Environmental Protection Area, Dr. Doğukan Mutlu, Lecturer at the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Üsküdar Üniversitesi, and his students also took part. 

In the season that began in May, nests were identified and protected along 8.5 kilometers of beaches, and it was reported that hatchlings continued to reach the sea until the end of September. 

“Trash Puts Pressure on Nests”

Dr. Doğukan Mutlu, Lecturer at the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Üsküdar Üniversitesi, emphasized that human activities and light pollution on beaches pose a serious threat to Caretta carettas. 

Dr. Doğukan Mutlu stated; “The beaches in this region are open to intense human use. Trash left by day-trippers puts pressure on the nests. Additionally, uncontrolled access to beaches at night and the use of lights and flashes negatively affect the turtles.” 

“Bright White Lights Can Cause Hatchlings to Lose Their Way”

Mutlu stated that artificial lights pose a major problem for turtles; “After emerging from the nest, sea turtles navigate towards the reflection of moonlight on the sea to reach it. However, bright white lights used by businesses in tourist areas can cause hatchlings to lose their way. Particularly, the lighting of businesses in the Çalış Beach area poses a serious problem. We have initiated a pilot study with the regional electricity distribution company on this issue. We aim to extend this lighting system, which will not affect the turtles, across the entire region.”

Local People Should Provide More Support to the Process…

Mutlu underlined that local people should participate more in conservation efforts; “The Ministry, researchers, and volunteers are carrying out these efforts. However, with more support from the local people, the conservation chain will be complete,” he concluded.