Filenews 10 August 2022
More than 2,000 nests of sea turtles were recorded in Cyprus in 2021, with Simos Dimitropoulos Biologist – Environmentalist in the context of a report with people working for the protection and promotion of the species.
As responsible experts of the Mediterranean Turtle Research and Conservation Society, both he and his Italian collaborator Angela Mastrogiacomo, biologists, in collaboration with other members of the Association and with the technical support of two members of the Youth Association of the Polis Chrysochous Region, work for the protection of the turtle.
In his statements to the CNA about the Caretta caretta turtle that is characterized worldwide as vulnerable, and the Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas) as threatened with endangered, Mr. Dimitropoulos said that he himself has been involved with turtles and their protection for over 40 years and for some years now with the scientific program for the protection of turtles.
He added that he and his Italian collaborator are proceeding with the conservation of the turtle and the relevant studies needed regarding the project.
Mainly, he said, "we visit the west coast of Akamas, from Toxeftra to Lara and also Polis Chrysochous to the north, which are characterized as main areas", adding, however, that they also visit the rest of Cyprus.
He also pointed out that the program is being worked on in cooperation with the Department of Fisheries. As he explained, they place special "cages for the protection of nests that prevent any human intervention and the intervention of foxes".
Referring to last year's data they recorded, he said that last year more than 2,000 nests of sea turtles, greens and caretta were found in Chrysochous Bay and the west coast. In response to a question about the area of preference of the Green Turtle, he said that it mainly lays eggs in the western region of Akamas and not in the other areas.
He also called on the public to understand that turtles are an important species and that their protection results in the protection of all other species and habitats both inside and outside the sea that are associated with the turtle.
Mr. Dimitropoulos said he understands that people want to see the turtles, adding, however, that they should know that "turtles do not want to see us." What they need, he said, is their peace of mind, while the curiosity of the people unwittingly causes damage.
Their survival depends on peace and quiet, he added. Therefore, he said, if people want to protect them they must respect them. He added that if we make mistakes now these mistakes will be seen many years later.
Since 1976, the turtle protection program has been in operation. How this started.
For his part, Andreas Pientis, a former District Officer of the Department of Fisheries, who worked in the turtle protection program from the first years and is still involved, talks about the program since its inception.
The project, he said, began in 1976 with observations to identify which beaches the turtles prefer. Subsequently, he said, in 1978 they installed the station in the area of Lara.
According to him, through the program it was detected that the area of Lara is visited by both Green turtles and Caretta - turtles.
Initially, he said, the station was initially installed in a makeshift shed with tents. There, the entire area was being recorded and searched. A weather station was also created with thermometers with which temperatures, weather, winds and waves were measured, he added.
The programme was also visited by trainees from different countries, on behalf of the EU, and stayed at the station with them.
Mr. Pientis called on people to take care of turtles and not to spend the night on the beach, not to light fires and during the day to avoid placing umbrellas and beds, because, as he explained, in addition to the fact that the nests may be destroyed, the temperature of the sand is also altered and the eggs are affected.
Blessing the turtles for the local communities
Turtles are not a curse for us but a blessing. This message was sent by the Youth of Polis Chrysochous.
In his statements, Marinos Karamanis, Representative of the Youth of Polis Chrysochous, said that the involvement of the young people of Polis Chrysochous in the protection and conservation of sea turtles in Cyprus is very important.
Turtles, he said, exist in Lara, in the area between Agia Marina and the Campsite of Polis Chrysochous and then from the Anassa Hotel to the beach of Yiannakis. In addition, Mr. Karamanis mentioned that the biggest protectors of the turtle are the local bodies.
He also added that through the program of conservation and protection of sea turtles, local communities will benefit, since their goal, as he explained, is the visit of interested people from all over the world.
Coordination, training and involvement of all in the protection and promotion of the species
Regarding the program of monitoring turtles, their nests and their number, the Director of the Cyprus Centre for Environmental Studies – Centre for Education and Research of the Terra Cypria Koula Michael Foundation spoke to the CNA, adding that the fact that turtles come to the area of Cyprus to nest is a "blessing".
Mrs. Michael referred to the Memorandum of Cooperation signed with the Department of Fisheries and Marine Research, on the issue of the protection of the sea turtles of Cyprus. As she mentioned, with this memorandum, the Terra Cypria Foundation, through the Cyprus Centre for Environmental Studies operating in Kritou Terra, will now have an active role in matters of protection and conservation of sea turtles on the island, with the involvement, management and training of groups of volunteers and academic institutions.
This, he continued, will be done by bringing volunteers from abroad but also from Cyprus and mainly from academic institutions that can, as he said, proceed to locate nests, identify illegalities, set up information points about legislation, and instructions for turtle care, but also organize educational programs for children who are on the beaches.
"With this involvement and with the cooperation with the species monitoring team in Cyprus and always under the guidance of the Department of Fisheries and Marine Research, we look forward to strengthening the actions for raising awareness, preserving and protecting the sea turtles on the island, to benefit the local communities and to enrich our knowledge about this very important species of animal", said Mrs. Michael.
All together he continued, "we will work for the protection and promotion of the sea turtles of our island, and this is a promise".
He also believed that in order for people to be able to get involved, there must be coordination and education. It is, he noted, a model that is applied in many parts of the globe and that involves the world, involves civil society and local communities.
We want, he said, "to promote turtle tourism in the right way", adding that "we want to leave the turtle as a red cloth and make it as a way to attract people".
Ms. Michael also sent the message that in order to protect the species it cannot be done only with one body but there must be involvement and cooperation of all of us and we must be a good example for the rest of the planet of how all involved participate and protect the species and help their area.
In addition, the turtle conservation program also supports the Centre for Studies and Research AKTI, according to the Representative of the Centre Anna Tselepos. In her statements to the CNA, Mrs. Tselepos said that the Centre for Studies and Research of AKTI supports the above initiatives for the rescue of the turtle in practice and with various interventions.
She also added that for the two species of turtles, namely Green and Caretta, there is an increase in nesting, noting that this increase is mainly due to the protection measures taken.
