Marine Turtle Conservation in the Mediterranean
Informal Investigation of Conditions in Dalyan SPA, Turkey th
Report for the 20 Meeting of the Standing Committee of the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (Bern Convention) Report prepared by MEDASSET The Mediterranean Association to Save the Sea Turtles September 2000
No formal investigation of conditions in the Dalyan Specially Protected Area was carried out this year, however local environmentalist June Haimoff reports: In general, patrolling of the beach and enforcement of regulations was better this year •
Now no Illegal speedboats frequent the Dalyan River, Koycegiz Lake and the approaches to the beach.
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A large sign to the effect that speedboats are illegal has been replaced.
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Water skiing on Koycegiz Lake last year said to have been sanctioned by the harbour police has now stopped.
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No Fishing nets were observed to be deployed close to the beach at Iztuzu.
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Spear fishing is now an infrequent activity close to the beach and in the Dalyan channel.
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Motor vehicles were prevented from using Iztuzu beach during the nesting season.
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Beach patrols were observed, though little attempt was made to familiarise the tourists with the needs of the turtles by the establishment of an information kiosk or something.
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The beach was cleaned this year at Iztuzu by the authorities.
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No overnight activity on the beach was observed this year.
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As usual students from Hacetepe University carried out monitoring of the turtles and research.
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Heavy boat traffic reported last year in the Trionyx triunguis habitat near the Mud Baths has continued.
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Thousands of tourists still visiting each day from Marmaris and Fethiye have seriously compacted the sand of the beach near Dalyan village.
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The beach is strewn with rocks carried onto the beach at Iztuzu by sunbathers for the purpose of stopping their towels being blown away by the wind, and by gravel spread onto the beach from the abandoned hotel construction foundations (1987).
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Still only two signs in 4.5 Kms of beach give notification of SPA status and rules.
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There have been unconfirmed reports of the collection of turtle’s eggs, by local people being stopped by tourists.
MEDASSET: Informal Investigation of Conditions in Dalyan SPA, Turkey (2000).
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