ANNOUNCEMENT IN REGARDING THE ACTIONS TAKEN FOR INJURED OR DEAD SEA TURTLES
The Department of Fisheries and Marine Research (TATHE) of the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and the Environment, on the occasion of the unprecedented incident of sea turtle abuse in Chloraka, informs the public that it issues on an annual basis, and especially before the hatching season of sea turtles, relevant guidelines and protocol for the management of injured or dead turtles.
The Department points out the close and loving cooperation with the local authorities, who consistently respond to the implementation of the protocol. In this context, the Chloraka Community Council also responded immediately, following the prescribed procedures.
The public is hereby reminded of the procedures to be followed, according to the current protocol, in cases of injured or dead sea turtles.
The public when they spot a dead or injured turtle can contact TATHE on the landline numbers shown below within Public hours. It is noted that outside of office hours, the public can contact the following service numbers:
Landline Phone Service Phone
(weekdays 07:30-15:00) (weekdays 16:00 – 20:00)
(Weekend 06:00-20:00)
Nicosia 22807853 N/A
Larnaca 24304294 / 24422888 99 48 96 45
Famagustus 23834172 99 48 96 43
Limassol 25306800 / 25306804 99 48 96 51
Pafos 26 821 680 99 48 96 42
Injured / Sick turtles:
Injured / sick sea turtles are being transported by TATHE personnel or authorized entities for treatment to the Sea Turtle Rescue Center operating at the TATHE Marine Aquaculture Research Center of Cyprus (EKTHYK) in Meneo.
Dead turtles:
Responsibility for the burial / collection / cremation of dead sea turtles is held by the relevant local authorities (Municipalities / Communities) which are informed either by the TATHE or directly by the citizens or other entities locating the dead turtle.
It is noted that a number of dead turtles are collected by TATHE for further analysis such as gastrointestinal content investigation, DNA analysis etc.
Collection of Information:
The public, may send data/information about the sea turtles they identify (e.g. shell dimensions, turtle photograph, area spotted, etc), so as to record on the database that TATHE has to monitor the population of protected species. Such information can be sent via email marineenvironment@dfmr.moa mmarcou@dfmr.moa.gov.cy), through the Cy-FIS application ( https://dfmrapp.com.cy ), or through Messenger (Department of Fisheries and Marine Research - Cyprus DFMR).
It is reminded that sea turtles in Cyprus have been protected since 1971 by the Law on Fishing (KEF. 135) and Regulations 1990 (Reg. No. 273/90). Additionally, they are included in Annex II of the Protocol concerning Specially Protected Areas and the Mediterranean Biodiversity of the Barcelona Convention, which Cyprus ratified by Law No. 20(III)/2001. Sea turtles are considered a priority species and are protected through the European Habitat Directive (92/43/EOC), which has been transferred to national legislation in 2003, under the Act on the Protection and Management of Nature and Wildlife No. 153(I)/2003. Pursuant to the above laws, the killing, chasing, wilfully harassing of these species, as well as the capture, purchase or sale and possession of sea turtles or any attempt to do such acts are prohibited, among other things.
