Filenews 23 August 2025 - by Vasos Vassiliou
The crime against turtles continues since in the attempt of some to collect fish, obviously in order to sell them, taking advantage of the holiday period, they use prohibited methods. Of course, the phenomenon is observed in all provinces, but the photos published on Filenews and which were recently sent to us, come from the beach of Pervolia, where vacationers and residents alike show sensitivity to the phenomenon that is observed.
Turtles are washed up on the shore and from the little experience gained by those concerned, we are informed that the death of the turtles is due to explosions which, at least in the current period, are obviously due to the use of dynamite.
Based on the observations of the people who sent us the photos, the turtles are disintegrated internally, which seems to be due to the explosions of the turtles occurring in the water. The signs of the explosions are imprinted not on the eyes, on the head but also on the body of the turtles. Some who tried to get their hands on the turtles found that they were indeed destroyed.
As we have been told, in the past some of the explosions that caused the death of turtles were also due to exercises of the National Guard, which, at least at this stage, is not the case, given that no military exercises are currently being conducted.
According to the observations of people in the area, the explosions probably occur in the depths and the current, depending on the intensity of the wind, expresses them on the beach of Pervolia, where the spectacle is really sad for those who love turtles and the surrounding area in general.
In the past, in addition to turtles, sea bass had also been washed up in the same area. The Commissioner for the Environment, Mrs. Antonia Theodosiou, was also briefed on the issue, who was in contact with services related to the protection of turtles.
Along with the turtles and sea bass, any fish found in the area of the blast wave are also crushed, residents say.
Explosions are not the only danger for turtles, since especially during the period when they give birth, many are lost from the passage of vehicles on the beaches, especially "pigs" [beach buggies]. The turtles are literally pulverized and the numbers that are lost are large.
Residents of the area reported to Filenews that some people are not content only to move around on the beach but also engage in speed races or demonstration of their vehicles and skills, with turtles as victims again.
Many times, the measures taken by the Department of Fisheries or residents do not bring results.
As we were told, last year 18 turtle nests were formed and births were recorded in 17 of them, which leads to the conclusion that the turtles must be protected.
