Green sea turtle

A new project uniting six Mediterranean countries is working to save endangered populations of sea turtles from the combined threats of tourism, pollution and fishing.

Rising temperatures at Australia's Great Barrier Reef are causing more green turtles to be born female, which could lead to the species dying out, a new scientific study has found.

Extinction does not threaten sea creatures thanks to the way green sea turtles prune sea meadows, a source of oxygen in the seas, Sea Turtle Research, Rescue and Rehabilitation Center (DEKAMER) Director Professor Yakup Kaska has told state-run Anadolu Agency.

The governor of the southern province of Antalya has issued a call for protection of four endangered species of the Mediterranean Sea, including sea turtles, dusky groupers, seahorses and tower shells.

The young patient writhes on the operating table, kicking its flippers. A team of medical attendants turns it over, revealing an underbelly cluttered with tumors, some as big as golf balls.

Measures to protect sea turtles on Turkish coasts have been successful, allowing thousands of babies to reach the sea. Very few, however, reach old age Thousands of rare turtles have reached the sea on Turkey's coasts thanks to greater conservation efforts by Turkish authorities, according to Forestry and Water Affairs Minister Veysel Ero?lu.

A number of eggs belonging to the caretta caretta, or loggerhead turtle, and the chelonian mydas, both species of marine turtle under conservation, have begun to hatch on the beaches of the southern province of Mersin. 

As sea turtle nesting season ends, 100,000 babies have reached the turquoise waters of Turkey's southern coast, a Turkish scientist has announced.

Six beaches in Mersin province saw more baby sea turtles compared to last year, Mersin University Deputy President Prof. Dr. Gürol Emekdaş said Sept. 6, according to Doğan News Agency.

Sea turtles, known as caretta carettas, began laying eggs on the coasts as the egg laying season begins in Turkey. The turtle nests on the coasts are being protected by volunteers Endangered caretta carettas and the green turtles (chelonia mydas), which are under protection, began laying eggs on the coast in the southern province of Hatay’s Samandağ district.