With the nesting season for endangered loggerhead (Caretta caretta) and green (Chelonia mydas) sea turtles underway, Turkish authorities have implemented a strict nighttime ban on 21 key protected beaches along the Mediterranean coast.

Under the mandate, which spans coastal nesting hotspots in Muğla, Antalya, Mersin, Adana, and Hatay, all public access to the designated beaches is strictly prohibited between 20:00 and 08:00. The restriction bans swimming, entering the sands with vehicles, pitching tents, pitching camps, and lighting beach fires or barbecues.

The restrictions aim to protect the breeding grounds of Caretta caretta and Chelonia mydas, both of which are considered vulnerable species in the Mediterranean ecosystem.

Strict protection measures and heavy fines

Authorities have also introduced strict enforcement rules as part of the conservation program. In addition to the night-time access ban, activities such as vehicle entry, camping, lighting fires, and barbecuing are prohibited in protected zones.

Officials warned that any damage to sea turtles, nests, or eggs will result in administrative fines of 699,245 TL for 2026. Legal entities and institutions may face penalties exceeding 2 million TL depending on the severity of violations.

Conservation efforts and seasonal enforcement

The annual restrictions are part of Türkiye’s long-running conservation efforts to protect declining sea turtle populations along its coastline. Environmental authorities, together with local monitoring teams and volunteers, oversee nesting beaches during the season to reduce human disturbance and improve hatchling survival rates.

Recent conservation updates indicate that Mediterranean sea turtle populations continue to face pressure from coastal development, light pollution, and marine traffic. However, protected nesting programs in Türkiye are widely recognized as among the most structured in the region, with monitoring efforts increasing in recent years.

Experts note that strict enforcement during the nesting season plays a key role in maintaining reproductive success, particularly as climate and human activity continue to affect coastal ecosystems.

The protection measures will remain in effect through September, covering the peak hatching and nesting period for both species. (ILKHA)