A record 382 sea turtle nests have been recorded on all sandy beaches across the Sovereign Base Areas this year according to environmental experts.
The number dwarfs last year’s second highest total of 282, highlighting the relentless work undertaken by SBA Administration officials to safeguard nests is now coming to fruition.
The Green and Loggerhead turtles are both listed as protected species, with only one in 1,000 hatchlings making it to adulthood.
This shocking statistic, according to the Senior Environmental and Policy Officer for the SBAA, Alexia Perdiou, makes it even more important that the most effective protection measures are taken.
Between 1994 and 2011, an average of only 30 turtle nests were discovered on SBA beaches and in explaining the current success, Perdiou said: “The Bases are committed to protecting the turtles under the Protection and Management of Nature and Wildlife Ordinance.
“Since the enactment of the ordinance, the SBA Environment Department has been implementing a minimum intervention protocol to turtle conservation based on international best practices.
“The steep increase in turtle nests has been the result of a consistent, systematic ‘hands-off’ approach, together with enforcement efforts to minimise illegal, damaging activities on nesting beaches.
“The fact that most sandy beaches within the Bases are free from development and heavy lights, has also contributed to preserving this important species.
“When it comes to turtle conservation it takes about 20 years to assess whether protection measures have been successful. This is the time needed for hatchlings to become adults and return to the beach they were born to lay eggs.”
But despite the largely hands-off approach, Perdiou did reveal the measures currently in place to ensure the safety of hatchlings.
She explained: “Beaches are patrolled daily by volunteers and nests are protected using an aluminium cage. The cage is primarily placed to protect nests from predators like foxes and dogs.
“No other intervention takes place and hatchlings are left to emerge naturally, on their own from nests. Their first trip from the nest to the sea is critical for their survival as they need to crawl their way on the sand to the water, which helps orientation and more importantly, it imprints the area so that they can return as adults to lay their eggs.”
The disturbance of nests by humans – driving on beaches, parties with barbeques and strong lights – is punishable with up to €17,000 in fines, or up to three years imprisonment and it would seem this has proven to be a deterrent.
But despite the undoubted success, Perdiou believes it is no time to celebrate and said the SBAs and all other organisations and individuals involved, would not let up: “The increase in nests is very encouraging but by no means is it a reason for the authorities to relax.
“The intention is to continue conservation efforts, improve them where necessary and enhance the joint work which has led to these amazing results.
“This great partnership comprises the SBA Administration, the military authorities, local communities, Republic of Cyprus Government departments, Non-Governmental Organisations and volunteers.”
