Turkey

Sea turtle genetic analysis training (SPA/RAC)

• Sub regional training session on Sea Turtles Conservation: 20 – 27 June 2018, (Dalyan) Mugla, Turkey, (25 participants).
• Training on sea turtle genetic analysis: 18 – 22 November 2019, Denizli, Turkey, (3 participants).                                                                         

Annual regional sharing-experience workshop (MedPan)

During the 2019  MedPAN regional sharing-workshop in Turkey, Mediterranean MPA managers shared their experience on how to improve conservation of marine turtles in their protected area.

Recommendations from the 5th ICoMMPA (International Conference of Marine Mammal in Protected Areas) that was held in Greece in April 2019 were promoted during the MedPAN regional experience-sharing workshop, especially the role of the network of MPA managers to better manage mobile species including marine turtles. A dedicated session about IMTAs was organised in collaboration with SPA-RAC with experts from IMMAs and the IUCN expert group on marine turtles. During the field exchange visit, the group visited DEKAMER’s sea turtle rescue center and had the opportunity to exchange information about the management of injured marine turtles.

 Sea turtle monitoring & conservation in Turkish coastline (DEKAMER)

Within the framework of the “Conservation of Marine Turtles in the Mediterranean Region” project, DEKAMER undertakes various activities in order to increase knowledge and raise awareness on marine turtles, their habitats and threats in Turkey. Main activities are conducted in the western Mediterranean and Aegean coasts of Turkey.

DEKAMER is implementing sea turtle monitoring and conservation activities at the main nesting sites in the Western Mediterranean coasts of Turkey. In addition to these activities, we are monitoring the sporadic nesting events thanks to local partners and citizen science. Small, non-indexed nesting beaches in the region are also being monitored.

One of the main threats to sea turtles is climate change. Therefore, recording the temperature profiles of nesting beaches and measuring sea turtle nests’ temperature, along with other ecological parameters to understand the current and possible future effects of climate change, is of crucial importance. The information collected during the project will be used for setting new mitigation measures for the conservation of sea turtles in the future.

DEKAMER is also doing research on sea turtle genetics. The Mediterranean loggerhead turtles and green turtle are defined as different management units. Both species have seperate colonies in different areas. We are investigating the connections between these colonies and the genetic diversity among populations.

Another important activity in the framework of the Project is to investigate sea turtles’ marine life. Doing research on sea turtles’ marine habitats is not easy because: 1) we have very little information about where they are living/foraging in the sea, 2) finding and capturing turtles in the sea is not not easy, especially when we don’t know where they are living. Therefore, we use different methods to understand their life in marine habitats. Stable isotope analysis is one of these techniques. We are collecting samples from nesting sea turtles and stranded animals to figure out where do they live and what do they eat.

360º sea turtle conservation activities (WWF Turkey)

• Satellite tracking of green turtles in Akyatan beach to determine inter & post nesting movements between nesting sites and migration routes.

WWF-Turkey’s Marine Turtle Team has deployed 14 satellite tags on green turtles in Akyatan beach between June 2018-August 2019. The post-nesting migrations and movements of 14 female green turtles were tracked by satellite transmitters at Akyatan nesting beach. The home ranges during the inter-nesting period are in the Eastern Mediterranean borders of Turkish coastline. All marine turtles reached Northern African coast for overwintering. WWF-Turkey’s Team gave the name of MAVA to a female Chelonia mydas which was tagged on 8^th of June 2018, World Ocean Day.

National Geographic Turkey published news about migration routes of satellite tracked green turtles in the framework of  the Project in June 2019 issue.

• Capacity building for local authorities and teachers.

Nature observation camps were organised for teachers to develop their contribution to raise awareness activities for their students in the project area that is located in Cukurova Delta.

Indoor and outdoor activities like nature photography, wildlife watching for plants, butterflies, birds, reptiles and mammals, feel the nature (a back-to-nature), endangered species were shared with the teachers. In addition, the team of the marine turtle monitoring project presented their site-based monitoring activities, hatchlings emerging from the nest and nest controls as well.

Technical briefings were organized for local government agencies on marine turtle conservation and wildlife in Adana.

• Advocacy for better conservation of marine turtles and their habitats.

WWF Turkey presented the “Conservation of Marine Turtles in the Mediterranean” project and activities during the National Marine Turtle Committee Meeting, which was held on December 2019 in Mersin.

The meeting was organized under the coordination of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, General Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks. 45 representatives from the Regional Directorates of the Ministry, universities, NGOs, provided information on studies they conducted in 2019. 

• Dissemination and implementation of field experiences and best practices.

The 6^th Mediterranean Conference on Marine Turtles was held in Porec/Croatia between 16-19 October 2018. 180 participants including scientists, regional and local administrations, civil society representatives, educational specialists, private sector representatives and individuals or organizations that have interest in the subject, have contributed to the conference by sharing their studies and experiences. WWF-Turkey’s Marine Turtle Team attended the Conference and presented satellite tracking and beach monitoring (with drones) activities.

Best practices were also shared with local authorities in Cukurova Delta.