Published without a T-PVS Reference: Conservation Status in the Goksu Delta Ramsar/SPA, Turkey.

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Marine Turtle Conservation in the Mediterranean

CONSERVATION STATUS IN THE GOKSU DELTA RAMSAR/SPA AREA, TURKEY nd

Report to the 22 Meeting of the Standing Committee of the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (Bern Convention) Prepared by MEDASSET The Mediterranean Association to Save the Sea Turtles Information supplied by Barry Lunn From observations during mid to late October 2002. (Original documentation in Annexes I and II.) November 2002 1

Anamur, in the Alanya – Mersin region of Turkey , is listed as one of the 17 most important turtle nesting areas in Turkey (WWF 1988) has two beaches, South beach and Castle beach divided by the Dragon Cayi (Anamur river). Although an archaeological SIT site exists, heavy beach sand exploitation has been known in the past, often with official sanction (Yerli2 Demirayak 1996 ). As of late October 2002: • Sand extraction continues on both beaches of Anamur on a massive scale. • The sand taken at Anamur contains sea turtle eggs. • A mechanical digger was at work loading a lorry from the riverbank. • Huge pits can be seen on the beaches. • Large and deep tractor tyre marks cross the beach 3

Silifke - Goksu Delta , in the Alanya – Mersin region of Turkey, is listed as one of the 17 most important turtle nesting areas in Turkey (WWF 1988). It is a nesting area of the critically endangered Mediterranean Chelonia mydas. A Ramsar site and most of the delta lies within the Goksu Delta SPA. • Spent gun cartridges litter the area of the Delta, and no wildfowl were observed on the lagoons. • Raw human sewage pollutes the sea. • Information received from the Tourist Information Office in Silifke included: 1. The view that the turtles are a nuisance. 2. The fishermen kill them because they get stuck in their nets. 3. The turtles pollute the sea. 4. That local hotel owners had analysed the sewage floating in the sea and proved it came from the sea turtles. 5. Sand is being taken from Anamur beach and that turtle eggs have been found amongst the taken sand. 4

Kizkalesi beach, near the Goksu Delta. A 500 metre long beach totally developed as a tourist resort. Sand is compacted due to intensive human use. • Large numbers of turtles of all sizes in the sea, up to five at a time, could even be th th seen from the hotel balconies 16 –18 October 2002. • An atmosphere of denial pervades the town regarding the presence of sea turtles. • Speedboats and water sports were active in the Bay, not only a danger to the turtles but also to swimmers. • Fishing nets were set along the shore and left overnight. The presence of such large numbers of turtles of all sizes at such a late stage in the year indicates that the area of the Goksu Delta is not only one of the most important nesting areas 1

Baran I. & M. Kasparek. 1989. Marine turtles Turkey: Status survey 1988 and recommendations for conservation and management. WWF. 123pp. (Coastal sector numbers 730-735). 2 Yerli, S. & F. Demirayak. 1996. Marine turtles in Turkey: A survey of nesting site status. WWF & DHKD CMS Rep. No 96/4, Istanbul. 239pp. 3 Baran I. & M. Kasparek. 1989. Marine turtles Turkey: Status survey 1988 and recommendations for conservation and management. WWF. 123pp. (Coastal sector numbers 760-767). 4 Baran I. & M. Kasparek. 1989. Marine turtles Turkey: Status survey 1988 and recommendations for conservation and management. WWF. 123pp. (Coastal sector number 775).

MEDASSET: Conservation Status in the Goksu Delta Ramsar/SPA area, Turkey (2002)

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