The breeding season has begun for the sea turtles, and Parasolia Beach in Kiti is facing unexpected challenges. Last year, the beach celebrated a record 60 nests, but this year, the female turtles are struggling. More than half of their favorite nesting area is now covered by a thick layer of stones from winter storms. To make matters worse, the remaining area is occupied by umbrellas and sunbeds for the first time.
Nesting Area Under Threat
Historically, the sunbeds were placed on the other side of the beach, leaving the nesting area undisturbed. However, a new person in charge of renting out sunbeds has decided to cover the tracks between the beds, making it difficult to identify and locate the nests. This change has raised concerns among nature lovers and regular visitors like Ildiko from Kiti, who has been actively involved in nest protection efforts.
Ildiko informed the Department of Fisheries and Marine Research (DFMR) and experts last Monday, but there has been no response yet. For the past two years, she has marked the nests with sticks and her own signs. Officers from the DFMR or experts from MedTRACS would then come once a week to protect the nests with special cages.
Volunteer Efforts and Legal Protections
Ildiko has also volunteered on the Karpasia Peninsula in the north, visiting turtle beaches and educating herself about nest protection. She has observed a significant difference between the efforts in the north and south of Cyprus. The British Sovereign Base Areas (SBA) in Akrotiri and Dhekelia have also made great strides in protecting turtle nests.
Unfortunately, local councils and sunbed renters in Kiti have shown a negative attitude towards nest protection, believing that turtles should nest elsewhere. It is crucial to remind these stakeholders that sea turtles, their eggs, and hatchlings have been protected by law since 1971 on every single beach in Cyprus.
Ildiko feels increasingly isolated in her efforts to protect the sea turtles at Parasolia Beach. As she continues to fight for these endangered creatures, it is evident that more support is needed from both authorities and the local community to ensure the survival of these majestic sea turtles.
