Ocean LifeNGO
Guarding North Cyprus's Sea Turtle Nesting Beaches
by Society for the Protection of Turtles (SPOT) · HQ 🇨🇾 Cyprus
0nestsSea turtle nests recorded in a single season (2020, all-time high)as of 2020-12-31 · may be outdated
0%Increase in green turtle nest counts since 1993as of 2020-12-31 · may be outdated
0metric tonsPlastic waste removed in 2020 beach cleanupsas of 2020-12-31 · may be outdated
SPOT has monitored and protected sea turtle nests on the beaches of North Cyprus since 1983, working with the University of Exeter's Marine Turtle Research Group and the local Department of Environmental Protection. Nest counts climbed from about 240 in 1988 to more than 2,400 in 2020, with green turtle nests up 162% and loggerhead nests up 46% since 1993, thanks to volunteer nest screening that keeps out stray dogs and foxes. Alagadi and Ronnas beaches are now ranked among the Mediterranean's top nesting sites for green turtles. SPOT also runs beach cleanups and works with local fishers to cut turtle bycatch.