The last 6 nests of sea turtles on the beach to break the 30-year record
NESLİ's Çıralı beach, one of the most important nesting areas for endangered loggerhead sea turtles, is approaching a record. The beach broke a record in 2018 with 151 nests, and if hatchlings are identified in 6 new nests to be opened on the shore, it will break the nesting record of the last 30 years.
The nesting season continues for the Mediterranean's Turkey shores for the loggerhead sea turtles ('Caretta caretta' and 'Chelonia mydas') listed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List as endangered species. Çıralı Beach, one of Turkey's 22 nesting sites and consistently ranked among Europe's top 10 beaches annually, has seen the formation of 146 nests this year alone. Additionally, 6 nests where turtles are believed to have laid eggs are closely monitored. These nests will be opened in the next few days to check for hatchlings.
Last year, Çıralı Beach surpassed 105 nests, and during the nesting season, entering the beach, swimming, setting up tents, making fires, and making noise are prohibited from 21:00 to 06:00. Conservation and monitoring efforts began in 1994 in Çıralı, where a record of 151 nests was recorded in 2018 by the Ulupınar Environmental Protection Development and Management Cooperative. This season in Çıralı, it is expected to break the nesting record of the last 30 years in terms of nest count. In the coming days, 6 more nests where turtles have laid eggs will be opened and checked. If hatchlings are found in these nests, it will break the nesting record of the last 30 years.
As the hatchlings begin to meet the sea, Kemer District Governor Ahmet Solmaz, Kemer Chief Prosecutor Gamze Almalı, Kemer Mayor Necati Topaloğlu, District Gendarmerie Commander Major Ömer Seyhan, Beydağları Coast National Park Directorate Kemer National Park Chief Hasan Tıraş, S.S. Ulupınar Environmental Protection and Management Cooperative President Habib Altınkaya, and local and foreign tourists participated in an event where a nest was opened after the completion of hatchlings. Empty eggshells with numerous hatchling exits were found in the nest opened under the curious gaze of tourists. It was determined that 9 hatchlings lost their lives because they could not leave the nest on time, while 4 hatchlings were rescued alive. During the health check of the hatchlings, another hatchling of caretta caretta lost its way and came to the other hatchlings.
"RECORD OF 30 YEARS WILL BE BROKEN"
Kemer District Governor Ahmet Solmaz said they witnessed a very rare moment and were very happy. Solmaz said, "These animals listed on the red list chose this place as a breeding point on our shores. This gives us the opportunity to observe. Sea turtles highly prefer this area. In the coming days, along with the opening of 6 nests, the record of 30 years will be broken." Solmaz also emphasized that it is very astonishing that hatchlings meeting the sea can return to the same beach after 20 years to nest.
Kemer Mayor Necati Topaloğlu noted that Çıralı has become a globally famous beach thanks to sea turtles. Topaloğlu said, "There have been hatchling exits from 146 nests. If we open 6 more nests, the record of 30 years will be broken. Those who came to observe are also very happy."
S.S. Ulupınar Environmental Protection and Management Cooperative President Habib Altınkaya said, "46 hatchlings reached the sea alive from this nest. Unfortunately, 9 of them lost their lives. We completed the first nest. Hopefully, we will break the record of 30 years this year. We have 6 nests left. I estimate that this record will be broken in 3-4 days, and Çıralı will reach the record for the most hatchling nests in 30 years." Altınkaya also added that there are tourists who specifically plan their vacation to coincide with the hatchling time and especially many tourists come to Çıralı to see the hatchlings.
