Turtles Make a Remarkable Comeback in Cyprus thanks to the ‘hands off’ approach

Here at Take 3 for the Sea we love a good news story about the environment, especially when it involves one of our favourite marine animals and Take 3 totem, the sea turtle. Read on to learn why turtle nests on the beaches of Cyprus are increasing in number, thanks to the British military. 

The beaches of two British military bases in Cyprus, a large island in the Mediterranean Sea, have become a thriving habitat for endangered sea turtles, including the green and loggerhead species. Environmentalists recently celebrated a 25% increase in turtle nests this year, recording a total of 382 nests across the sandy shores of the bases—an impressive leap from last year’s count of 282. 

This remarkable growth is the result of decades of conservation efforts by base authorities. Alexia Perdiou, the Base’s Environmental and Police Officer, attributes the success to a long-standing commitment to safeguarding turtle nests. In the early years of monitoring, from 1994 to 2011, only around 30 nests were recorded annually. The current surge in nest numbers demonstrates the effectiveness of conservation strategies that have been put in place in recent years. 

One critical factor in this recovery is the ‘hands-off’ approach implemented by the base. Human activity on the beaches is heavily restricted, and enforcement efforts have been strengthened to protect the turtles’ nesting sites. Activities such as driving vehicles on the beach or hosting beach parties with bright lights and barbecues are strictly prohibited, with violators facing large fines or even imprisonment. Daily patrols by volunteers ensure that protective measures, like aluminium cages placed over nests to shield them from predators, are maintained. 

Another key reason for the resurgence of turtles is the lack of development along the base’s sandy shores. Most beaches within the bases remain pristine and free from human interference, providing the ideal environment for turtle nesting. The protected status of these beaches has allowed turtle populations to grow steadily, despite the fact that only one in 1,000 hatchlings typically survives to adulthood. 

The conservation efforts are a collaborative endeavour, with base authorities working closely with the Cypriot government, local authorities, and dedicated volunteers. While the progress is heartening, Perdiou stresses that the work is far from over, and the authorities remain committed to ensuring the continued protection of these vital habitats. 

As Cyprus’ turtle populations recover, these efforts serve as a powerful example of how concerted conservation strategies with the involvement of multiple stakeholders can yield significant positive results for endangered species.