The Turtles of the Mediterranean
Sea turtles break through their eggs after an incubation period of 45-60
days on the sandy beaches. The baby turtles start running towards the
sea as soon as they hatch, where they will spend their whole life. It is
belived that only one in 2000 turtles can reach maturity and the length
of a 25-30 year old turtle measures between 1-2 metres.An adult turtle lays eggs on the same beach every 1-3 years. The turtle
visits the same sandy beach three to four times during her laying period
and lays approximately 100 eggs on each visit. It has been proved that
the turtles return to their place of birth to lay eggs after many many
years. The turtles can live for 60-120 years.Caretta Caretta and Chelonia Mydas are two kinds of turtles living in
the Mediterranean. You can see both kinds on the shores of North Cyprus.
It is estimated that 300- 400 Celonia Mydas and 2000 Caretta Carettas
lay eggs on the Mediterranean shores wery year.The Association for Protecting Turtles in Northern Cyprus (SPOT) was
established in 1991. Glasgow University is part of a project run by SPOT
which started in 1992. Students from Glasgow University go to North
Cyprus every year and voluntarily take part in protecting the turtles
and the environment.Turtles have been seen at approximately 80 beaches in North Cyprus. The
Alagadi beaches, 10 miles east of Kyrenia are a major place for these
turtles. Voluntary groups visiting Alagadi 1 and Alagadi 11 beaches
observe the turtles throughout the night and take necessary measures for
their protection.The time of laying eggs for the turtles starts in May and ends in August
while the baby turtles hatch between July and September. It has been
observed that 150 Chelonia Mydas and 175 Caretta Carettas have laid eggs
on the beaches of North Cyprus in 1992. Compared to the number of
turtles laying eggs in the whole of Mediterranean, this is considered to
be a significant number i.e. 30% and 10% respectively.There is no threat to the turtles in North Cyprus in terms of touristic
developments. However, hunters, fishermen, dogs and foxes constantly
disturb the eggs of the turtles adversely affecting their reproduction
cycle. Environmentalists and activists attend functions all over North
Cyprus trying to educate and raise the awareness of people about the
turtles. They have organised a big campaign giving short seminars on the
beaches, distributing books to the schoolchildren and organising tours
for the groups.The turtles have been around for 95 million years. Let's do our best to
protect these delicate creatures- Kutlay Keço (Chair of SPOT)
Tel: (0090) 392 815 2469
- Ian Bell (Secretary)
Tel: (0090) 392 815 5135 - Doç. Dr Hüseyin Gökçekuþ
Tel: (0090) 392 223 6464
- Glasgow University
Annette Broderik or Brendan Godley,
Department of Veterinary Anotomy,
University of Glasgow Veterinary School,
Bearsden Road, Glasgow, G61 IQH,Scotland
