Filenews 6 May 2021
The Department of Fisheries and Marine Research (TTHE) of the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, informs the public about the start of the laying season of sea turtles in Cyprus from mid-May until the end of September.
Two species of sea turtles breed on the beaches of Cyprus, the Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas) and caretta caretta. In the Mediterranean, green turtles give birth almost exclusively in Cyprus and Turkey. Caretta also gives birth in Greece and in smaller numbers in other Mediterranean countries.
In recent years there has been a general increase in the nesting of sea turtles and in particular the Caretta turtle. It should be noted, however, that this increase is the result of the protection measures taken 20 to 25 years ago and that they continue to be taken. For this reason sea turtles and their eggs are protected by the Fisheries Law (KEF. 135) and Regulations 1990 (Reg. No. 273/90) since 1971 and the protection of their habitat in the area of Lara – Toxeyras is ensured since 1989, with the management measures presented in the Regulations of the same Law.
The TTHE urges the public visiting the protected area of Lara – Toxeyras to observe the applicable legislation and regulations and to demonstrate appropriate environmental behaviour, for the protection of sea turtles.
Within the protected area of Lara - Toxeyras from 1 June to 30 September the following are prohibited:
- the installation of umbrellas, beds, tents, caravans and/or any other item
- staying on the beach and the coastal area at night, starting an hour before sunset,
- fishing in any way (networks, snorkelling, etc. except with the pole from the coast).
It is also recalled that all year round it is prohibited to:
- drive any vehicle on the beaches
- the collection of crabs from the beach which are a protected species throughout Cyprus
- pollution (garbage dumping)
- lighting a fire (with charcoal, etc.).
It is also noted that the passage or anchorage of a vessel in the area is prohibited from 1 May until 31 October. Holders of a small-scale coastal fishing licence shall be exempted from the transit ban in May and October of each year.
It is noted that, for the above violations and non-compliance with the applicable legislation, under the Fisheries Law and Regulations, the Director of the TTHE may impose an out-of-court regulation of up to 8543 euros.
Those who visit the area of Lara – Toxeyras, but also the other beaches where the nesting of sea turtles occurs such as the beaches in the area of Polis-Yalia of the Network Natura 2000, are encouraged to follow the existing paths and steps so as not to destroy the vegetation in the dunes. In addition, those who dig in the sand are kindly requested to flatten this place before leaving the beach, to avoid creating any traps for the turtles that start for their long journey on the high seas.
The Department of Fisheries and Marine Research has been implementing the Marine Turtle Protection Programme in Cyprus since 1978 and is recognised at European and international level as one of the most successful biodiversity protection programmes.
It is noted that only 1 to 2 out of a thousand of the hatching turtles will survive to return back to the beach where they were born to reproduce and therefore, their strict protection is imperative to ensure the presence of this unique and emblematic species that hosts our island.
It is very important that the world is allied to the work done by the Department of Fisheries and Marine Research in protecting the marine environment. The presence of such priority species as the two sea turtles, Carettacaretta and Cheloniamydas, is also proof of the good ecological status of our marine environment.
Source: eyenews
