Environmental experts at the Sovereign Base Areas (SBA) Administration are calling on beachgoers to be vigilant as they work to protect 107 recorded sea turtle nests.
Green and Loggerhead turtles, classified as endangered, lay their eggs on SBA beaches. With the peak summer season approaching, the nests face increased threats from human activity.
SBA Senior Environment Officer Alexia Perdiou stressed the importance of safeguarding these nesting grounds. She explained: “The first female turtles began laying their eggs at the beginning of May and the Environment Department co-ordinates turtle conservation work, focusing on minimum intervention and following international best practices, mirroring the work undertaken in the rest of Cyprus.
“Once turtle nests are identified they are demarcated with a protective aluminium cage, with a ring placed around the cage buried in the sand to prevent other animals from disturbing the nests. Hatchlings are then left on their own to emerge naturally from nests and make their way to the sea.”
The disturbance of nests by humans is punishable with up to €17,000 in fines or up to three years imprisonment, a proven deterrent according to Perdiou.
The SBA works closely with non-governmental organisations and Republic of Cyprus authorities to implement protection measures, including restricting vehicle access, using surveillance cameras and erecting information boards to raise awareness of the importance of the areas.
Perdiou also highlighted education and cooperation as a key protection measure: “The Akrotiri Environmental Education Centre continue to deliver turtle awareness programmes to hundreds of school children every year and the sustainable management of important species and habitats can only be achieved through joint work and partnerships of the competent and local authorities and the people using these sensitive areas.”
