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Sea Turtles in Turkey
Chelonia mydas and Caretta caretta are the two sea turtle
species which make their home on Turkish coasts. Chelonia
mydas is generally found on a few beaches in the eastern
Mediterranean (Kazanli, Akyatan, Samandagi); while Caretta
caretta is commonly found on almost all the other beaches
in the area. Akyatan is the process of being designated
as a Nature Preserve.
There are seventeen beaches on Turkey's Mediterranean coast
where sea turtle have been found to lay eggs. Among the
more important of these are Dalyan, Patara, the Göksu
delta, Belek, and Fethiye-Kekova, which have been designated
as Special Environmental Protection Zones.
Attention is also being paid to beaches other than those
found the two designations. For instance, Kazanli and Kizilot
areas have been discovered to contain a large number of
nests and it would seem that these two beaches too will
have to receive the status of protected zones.
The attempts of the Environmental Ministry for the protection
of these turtles have been useful not only for their actual
protection but also because they have resulted in raising
the environmental consciousness of the public.
 Egg-laying
areas of two important sea turtle species (Caretta caretta
and Chelonia mydas) have been put under strict protection.
The soft-shelled, (Trionyx triunguis triungularis) which
is also rather rare, is under protection in Köycegiz
as well.
Turkish governments have also implemented various measures
of protection in Birecik where the bald ibis (Geronticus
eremita) lays eggs. The population of bald ibis has been
in decline and the species is in danger of extinction.
Activities
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