Report published without a T-PVS reference: Conservation Assessment of Nesting Beaches in Belek by MEDASSET

Marine Turtle Conservation in the Mediterranean

CONSERVATION ASSESSMENT OF THE SEA TURTLE NESTING BEACHES OF BELEK (TURKEY) rd

Report to the 23 Meeting of the Standing Committee of the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (Bern Convention) Prepared by Dr. Monica Aureggi Commissioned by MEDASSET The Mediterranean Association to Save the Sea Turtles August 2003 INTRODUCTION. Turkey is one of the main Mediterranean countries (together with Greece and Cyprus) where major loggerhead (Caretta caretta) nesting grounds are located (Groombridge, 1988; Baran and Kasparek, 1989). Belek beach is an important nesting site mainly for loggerhead turtles in Turkey, that was firstly identified among major nesting grounds in Turkey by Geldiay et al. (1982). Nesting by green turtles (Chelonia mydas) was also mentioned by Geldiay in 1982, and since then few green turtle nests were recorded during subsequent surveys. The length of the study-area and methodology were standardised and a long term project was started by Hacettepe University research team (HURT) in 1999. Being aware that the more we know about an animal, its behaviour and its habitat, the more likely we are to be successful at conserving it, we should always consider that a detailed conservation Management Plan cannot be prepared without information on the area that we are considering. A good scientific database is necessary to design conservation strategies of an endangered species together with an assessment evaluation of the impact that some structures could have on the habitat. The aim of this report is to provide comments and suggestions reviewing what is known concerning loggerhead nesting activities at Belek from a scientific point of view; to report on the site assessment conducted between 3 and 5 August 2003 for MEDASSET and to provide a description of threats and recommendations from a fresh point of view. REVIEW OF SCIENTIFIC DATA CONCERNING MONITORING ACTIVITIES. Location Belek nesting beaches are located in the Antalya province, about 40 km to the East of Antalya. Since 1999, the study-area has been the 29.5 km from the Aksu river in the West to the Sarisu stream in the East (Canbolat, 2001). According to Canbolat and Nalbantoglu (2001), the beach is divided into four natural sectors according to different geographical features and types of beach use (Table 1):

Beach Sections 1

4.7 km

Aksu river – Club Asteria

Natural Site Area

11.3 km

Club Asteria – Acisu stream

Tourism Development Area

6.7 km

Acisu stream – Koprucay

Specially Protected Area

6.6 km

Koprucay – Sarisu stream

Specially Protected Area

Table 1. The four beach sections according to Canbolat and Nalbantoglu (2001).

MEDASSET: Conservation Assessment of the Sea Turtle Nesting Beaches of Belek, Turkey (2003)

Monitoring activities (table 2) Belek was identified as a major nesting ground in 1979 (Geldiay et al., 1982). Since then, the different methodologies applied by each author do not allow a viable estimate of the trends or size of the nesting population, the main difference being the size of the study area. Most of the published information refers to parameters such as the number of nests, nesting success, number of hatchlings reaching the sea, etc. with comparisons to other Turkish nesting sites, but very little research as to understanding for example, nest distribution along the beach, the reason for low hatching success, predator behaviour, etc. Hence conservation strategies for the case were not suggested. It also emerged that lack of long term tagging programmes along the beach do not help towards an estimate of the size of the population. In addition, the HURT programme does not carry out any training, education and awareness projects involving local people, a very important element for a long-term successful conservation project. Even so, bearing in mind that methodologies were different and the size of the study area changed from one survey to another, a general picture of the situation of nesting activities can be deduced from the published information:

Nesting Hatching 1 2 success success (%) (%)

Hatchlings reaching the sea (%)

Year

No. of Nests

1979

240

Geldiay, 1984 in Canbolat, 2001

1988

226

Baran and Kasparek, Canbolat, 2001

1989

1994

Yerli and Demirayak, Canbolat, 2001

1996

1995

150

DHKD-WWF, 1996 in Canbolat, 2001

1996

153

25,5

87,6

77,5

Sak and Baran, 2001

1997

168

42,2

80,9

80,7

Sak and Baran, 2001

1998

385

Yerli et al., 1998 ; Yerli and Canbolat, 1998 in Canbolat, 2001

1999

612

Canbolat, 2001

2000

682

Canbolat, 2001

2001

Research carried out by Hacettepe University (not yet published)

2002

Research carried out by Hacettepe University (not yet published)

Reference

Table 2: Summary of biological data on sea turtle nesting along Belek 1979 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 2000 1 Nesting success (%) refers to turtle emergences that result in nests. 2 Hatching success (%) refers to nests that hatched. Nest distribution in the four different sections in Belek are 11,3 %, 14,2%, 42,6% and 32,1% of the total number of nests, showing that 75% of the nests are situated in the Specially Protected Areas (Canbolat and Nalbantoglu, 2001). Female emergences for nesting and nest density were low in illuminated areas (Sak and Baran, 2001). According to Sak and Baran (2001) nests were mostly laid 35 m from the tide line. An intense and increased human presence on the beach together with an unsuitable nesting habitat could justify uneven distribution of nests within one site (Aureggi, 2001), also MEDASSET: Conservation Assessment of the Sea Turtle Nesting Beaches of Belek, Turkey (2003)

recreational beach equipment such as sunbeds, cabanas, umbrellas, are physical obstacles which deter nesting attempts (NRC, 1990). A long term tagging programme at Belek could provide information on nesting female’s diversion from the developed section (2) toward more comparatively unspoiled parts of the beach, section 1, 3 and 4, to demonstrate if there is a shift in nesting activity from one part to the other. At Belek, the number of nests reported varied considerably over the years, probably showing a natural cycle for loggerheads, but a drastic increase reported in 1999 was due to the fact that the study area was extended. On the other hand, the nesting success reported in 1996/97 was probably low because of tourism development. It would be interesting to compare this data with more recent results, but it was not possible to find any published data for 2001 and 2002. ASSESSMENT 2003. A field assessment was undertaken on Belek beaches from the 3 - 5 August 2003 in order to assess and update the conservation status of the nesting area. This was completed with the help of the research team lead by Dr. Ali Fuat Canbolat from Hacettepe University (Ankara), who have been working on site since 1999. Most of the beach walks were done accompanying the research team, whose car and driver drops different groups of students along the whole beach each morning. A team of two research assistants and 27 students were working there. The team is financially supported by BETUYAB (Belek Turizm Yatirimcilari Birligi, Belek Tourism Investors Society), who provide accommodation in a prefabricated house, two cars and different hotels bring food to the camp three times a day. Except for section 3 the beach (29 km) was assessed on foot the whole length of the sectors either in the early morning or in the afternoon. The beach was divided into four different sections as described in Table 1. During the walk observations of the nesting habitat were carefully conducted, and the research team described problems they had encountered. Section 1 - Aksu river – Club Asteria, Natural Site Area. th This section was walked on the 4 August in the early morning during the daily survey by the research team. In the first kilometre of this section huts are located on the beach close to the shoreline (Photo1/Photo2). Local families live there. The rest of the beach is clear and without any human settlement. Rubbish was found on the beach. No signs were seen to indicate the protection status of the area. According to the research team many nests are laid in this section, and a high percentage of them are predated by canids. Cages were placed over some of the nests. Section 2 - Club Asteria – Acisu stream Tourism Development Area. This section was walked on the 3rd August in the afternoon. It is an area completely developed with hotels one after the other. Each Hotel has its own beach equipment and charges 40 euro a day to use “their” space on the beach. Each hotel has two guards on the beach to prevent people going from one hotel to the other, because they sell all inclusive package-holidays, and therefore any person could get in a hotel and ask for a drink for example or use their facilities free of charge. Water sports points with jet skis (Photo 3), parasailing etc are spread along the beach. Beach volleyball courts are sprayed with water during the day in order to have compacted sand for the late afternoon match in front of each hotel (Photo 5). Buoys are located in the sea to delimit space for people swimming but there was no respect for these limits. Many piers have been built into the sea along the beach for people and for water sports (Photo 4). During the night there were often fireworks and music on the beach. In between hotels there are two areas with about 2 km of free beach, which the public can use without being charged, bringing their personal beach equipment. A vehicle, maybe a MEDASSET: Conservation Assessment of the Sea Turtle Nesting Beaches of Belek, Turkey (2003)

tractor, raked one of these two sections and the sand was accumulated in the back of the beach. Local people using the beach, in particular on Sundays, leave a lot of rubbish. There is a road at the back of the beach and there are car parks, but tractors were seen driving on the beach. Guards on horses patrol the beach. According to the research team, only a few nests are found in this section and they are indicated with a cage and a sign (Photo 6). Section 3 - Acisu stream – Koprucay, Specially Protected Area. It was not possible to walk this section because of some problems between the local municipality and the research team. Their survey was suspended during these days. Section 4 Koprucay – Sarisu stream; Specially Protected Area. The eastern part of this section was walked on the 3rd August in the early morning, during the daily monitoring by the research team. Sarisu stream located at the end of the Eastern side has a sandy bank that is probably a nesting area for the soft shell turtle, Trionyx triungus. A group of tents of local people were located near the stream and people were fishing in the river with a net. In front of the beach, in the sea, there are rocks, which are visible in some parts and some are underwater. A lot of rubbish was seen on the beach, as well as vehicle tracks (car and tractors). There is a road at the back, about 40 m from the shoreline (Photo 8/Photo 9). Cars were parked on the beach, a camp of local religious people was located on the beach (Photo 10), and the remains of a campfire was observed left on the beach from the previous night. Fishing activity in the sea with “seine” nets was observed during the walk. The sand in the area is hard and compacted. Evidence of sand extraction was found in some areas of this section (Photo 11/Photo12). Some houses, probably fishermen’s (Photo 13), belonging to local people are located on the beach, near a small harbour formed by line of rocks into the sea (a kind of small bay) and there were about 10 fishing boats (Photo 14). The western end of this section has dunes in the back, and a lot of rubbish was observed. An old rusted caterpillar tractor was dumped in the sea on the seashore (Photo 15). It is not surprising that according to the research team this section of the beach does not have many nests. th

The western part of this beach section was walked on the 5 August in the early morning during the daily monitoring of the research team. The beach was covered with debris probably both seaborne and from people using the beach (Photo 16). There is a road at the back of the beach and many vehicle tracks were seen on the beach (Photo 7). A hatchling track was found going along the bottom of a vehicle track and one hatchling was found dehydrated on the beach (Photo 17). Hatchlings follow vehicle tracks that cars leave when driving parallel to the sea, never reaching the sea and getting desiccated by hot sun in the morning or eaten by predators. According to the research team this section is the one with the highest density of nests, and there have been many predator attacks this season. No signs indicating that is an SPA area were seen. THREATS. A favourable nesting habitat is critical for sea turtle reproduction and is central to the survival of sea turtle populations (Witherington, 1999), likewise a favourable marine habitat where

MEDASSET: Conservation Assessment of the Sea Turtle Nesting Beaches of Belek, Turkey (2003)

turtles spend most of their life. A Conservation management plan should include strategies to reduce or eliminate threats to both nesting and marine habitats. According to the information reported by different researchers and as a result of observations during the 2003 assessment, the main threats affecting the Belek sea turtle nesting population in each section are summarized in table 3.

Section 1 - Aksu river – Club Asteria – Natural SIT area

Threats On Nesting beach Natural • Predation.

Human • • • •

Local people’s huts. Garbage pollution on the beach. Artificial lights shining onto the beach. Vehicles driving on the beach.

At Sea Natural • Not known.

Human • Fisheries interaction.

Section 3 - Acisu stream – Koprucay – Specially Protected Area

Section 2 - Club Asteria – Acisu stream – Tourist Development Area

On Nesting beach Natural

Human • • • • • • • •

Tourist developments. Increased human pressure. Artificial lights shining onto the beach. Fireworks on the beach. Music during the night. Vehicles driving on the beach. Beach recreational equipment. Water sport facilities (e.g jet skis, parasailing, etc.), other sport facilities (e.g. beach volleyball courts) and piers. • Horse riding. • Mechanical beach cleaning during the nesting season. • Garbage pollution on the beach. At Sea Natural • Not known.

Human • Fisheries interaction. • Pollution. • Water sports (e.g. jet skis, parasailing etc.). On Nesting beach

Natural • Predation.

Human • • • • •

Local people’s summer houses. Increased human presence. Artificial lights shining onto the beach. Vehicles driving on the beach. Garbage pollution on the beach.

At Sea Natural • Not known.

Human • Fisheries interaction. • Pollution.

MEDASSET: Conservation Assessment of the Sea Turtle Nesting Beaches of Belek, Turkey (2003)

Section 4 - Koprucay – Sarisu stream – Specially Protected Area

On Nesting beach Natural • Predation.

Human • • • • • • • •

Future Tourist development. Increased human pressure. Houses. Camping. Artificial lights shining onto the beach. Vehicles driving on the beach. Car parking on the beach. Garbage on pollution the beach (including an old caterpillar tractor). • Severe sand extraction. At Sea Natural

• Not known.

Human • Fisheries interaction.

Table 3. Threats reported and observed at Belek per section. RECOMMENDATIONS. Each section of the beach is affected by different threats and problems, which are considered separately. Section 1, 3 and 4, have protected status and host the highest density of nests each season, however they need to be managed in order to reduce the impact on nesting activities. The hotel section (2) is developed and needs to be managed by involving hotel owners, tour operators, tourists etc. in order to maintain a viable sea turtle nesting population. Recommendations are herein suggested taking into consideration each threat mentioned in Table 3 in each section of the beach, which have been reported or were observed during the on site assessment in August 2003. Section 3 (Acisu stream – Koprukai) was not monitored during the 2003 assessment. The research team working there reported the information recorded in Table 3.

Standing Committee of the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (Bern Convention): Recommendation No.66 (adopted on 4 December 1998) on the conservation status of some nesting beaches for marine turtles in Turkey (emphasis on Belek) • “….Re-assess tourist investment projects on beaches of importance for marine turtle nesting….” • “….Re-evaluate recent allocations affecting the beach….” • “….Improve control of the effects of local tourism on the beaches, secondary summer homes, caravans, camping and other activities….” • “….Secure the remaining unbuilt beach plots against development….” • “… Prevent access to the beaches at night….” • “….Assure inter-ministerial compliance for marine turtle conservation needs….” • “….Abandon plans for the development of a marina at natural “SIT” area….” • “…..Take urgent and stringent measures to enforce legislation against illegal sand extraction….” • “….Regulate and where necessary prohibit speed boats, jet skis and para-gliding during the nesting season; ensure respect of low speed limits set and reinforce controls on all offshore areas….” • “….Prohibit horse riding on the beach….”

MEDASSET: Conservation Assessment of the Sea Turtle Nesting Beaches of Belek, Turkey (2003)

August 2003 observations: Aksu river â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Club Asteria (Section 1, Natural SIT Area). 1. Local families live in huts on the nesting beach, which occupy about 1 km of this section. Recommendations: ! Remove the huts to another place, offering alternative accommodation to these families. ! Erect signs indicating that it is a protected area. 2. Rubbish was excessive near the huts, where there isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t any collection system. Recommendations: ! Place rubbish bins along the beach, in particular in areas frequented by people. ! Set up beach cleaning regime that does not harm the nesting habitat. 3. Extensive vehicle tracks were seen especially in the area where the huts are. Nearly every hut has a car parked next to it. Recommendations: ! Ban vehicle driving on the beach and set up barriers to prevent vehicle access. ! Set up a car park in a place off the beach. 4. Huts on the beach use lights during the night. Recommendations: ! Remove the huts to another place, offering alternative accommodation to these families. ! Ban access to the beach at night, particularly during the nesting season. August 2003 observations: Club Asteria â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Acisu stream (Section 2) 1. This area is completely developed; hotels cover most of the section. Some stretches of the beach in between hotels are left for free public use. Recommendations: ! Ban further tourism development ! Introduce environmentally sustainable management 2. People staying in hotels and the local people, use the beach day and night. An information desk is located in Belek village once a week in the evening by the research team, but it is not well managed and it is insufficient. Nests are caged for protection and a sign is placed next to them. Recommendations: ! Ban use of the beach during the night ! Set up an awareness program directed at tourists, hotel managers, tour operators and local people ! Produce awareness materials, such as posters, leaflets, signs, etc ! Contact tour operators and make them aware of the importance of the beach as a turtle nesting site ! Set up an Information Centre (or more than one) in Belek near the beach, that functions as follows: - a focal point for villagers and for people visiting Belek nesting beaches - a place where the public are made aware of the importance of the conservation of sea turtles - distribution of awareness material - a place where any kind of feedback information concerning sea turtles can be reported or put in a mail box 3. Vehicular tracks were found on the stretch of the beach used by local people (public area). Recommendations: ! Ban tractors and other vehicles from the beach throughout the year. ! Car park and road should be closed and relocated elsewhere away from the beach and sand dunes.

MEDASSET: Conservation Assessment of the Sea Turtle Nesting Beaches of Belek, Turkey (2003)

4. The beach is illuminated during the night and hotels often have fireworks displays. The research team from Hacettepe University have conducted an awareness campaign and some of the hotels responded by screening some of their lights, but still insufficient. Recommendations: Both outdoor and indoor lighting from buildings, road, etc. that are close to the beach cause a problem for sea turtles. This problem exists where the light is visible from the beach. The following actions are suggested: ! Unnecessary light sources near the beach should be eliminated, and the number of light sources that provide more than adequate illumination should be reduced. ! Lighting that is necessary for safety or security can be used when needed during early evening hours and switched off the remainder of the night. ! Lights should not be directed onto the beach or onto any object visible from the beach. ! A solution could be to provide shielded light sources. 5. Some hotels have moved their sunbeds to the back of the beach, about 35 meters from the shoreline as was suggested by the research team. Some of which are stacked during the night. Volleyball courts are located near sunbed areas and they are watered every day. Recommendations: ! Stack beach summer furniture at the back of the beach during the night ! Limit the number of sun beds and umbrellas for each hotel ! Ban watering volley ball courts, or relocate them off the beach. 6. Part of this section was cleaned mechanically, probably by tractor, moving the sand to the back of the beach. Recommendations: ! Ban the use of mechanical vehicles to clean the beach ! Ban the movement of sand from the shoreline to the back part of the beach ! Set up a cleaning regime that will not affect turtle nesting activity and the beach characteristics (manual cleaning). ! Set up an awareness programme involving local people and tourists in order to encourage them to keep the beach clean. 7. The hotel areas are cleaned every day, whereas the free parts of the beach, mainly used by local people, are full of garbage. Recommendations: ! Place rubbish bins on the beach ! Set up an awareness programme involving local people and tourists in order to encourage them to keep the beach clean 8. Water sports are common and of different kind. Many piers have been built to facilitate tourist to practice water sports. Recommendations: ! Ban the use of jet skis. ! Limit the area of use of water sports, away from the shoreline ! Stack up all the beach furniture at the back of the beach at night. 9. Guards patrol the beach by horse during the day. Recommendations: ! Stop riding horses on the beach. 10. During the night there was often music on the beach. Recommendations: ! Reduce noise of music from hotels during the night.

MEDASSET: Conservation Assessment of the Sea Turtle Nesting Beaches of Belek, Turkey (2003)

August 2003 observations: Koprukay – Serisu (Section 4, SPA). 1. Dr. Ali Fuat Canbolat, the leader of the Hacettepe University research team, has informed 1 us about plans for development within the SPA. . Recommendations: ! Ban any future development, particularly in the protected area, which coincides, with the area with the highest density of turtle nests. 2. Local people use the beach day and night. Camping tents on the beach were placed along this section. Campfire remains from the previous night were found on the beach. Recommendations: ! Ban camping on the beach ! Control public access to beach ! Close the beach during the night ! Set up an awareness program directed to local people about the importance of the nesting beach. ! Produce and distribute awareness materials, such as posters, leaflets, etc ! Organise a sea turtle awareness educational programme in local schools ! Set up an Information Centre near the beach, that functions as follows: - a focal point for villagers and visitors - a place where people are provided with information and made aware of the importance of the conservation of sea turtles. - distribution point for awareness material - a place where any kind of feedback information concerning sea turtles can be reported or put in a mail box 3. Camping and the use of lights on the beach at night. Recommendations: ! Ban camping on the beach ! Reduce impact of local people’s house lights, asking them to screen the light source or to turn them off during the night. ! Ban campfires on or near the beach. 4. Vehicle tracks of cars and tractors were found in the entire section. Recommendations: ! Ban driving on the beach ! Car park and road should be closed and relocated elsewhere away from the beach and sand dunes. 5. Excessive rubbish was seen on the beach in the whole section. Recommendations: !Place rubbish bins on the beach emptying them with non-mechanical means !Regularly clean the beach without using any mechanical vehicles or methods. Beach cleaning can be regulated so that the effect on sea turtle nests is low. !Initiatives, like “a day for the environment” could be organized during the nesting season involving the local community, in particular children, and tourists to dedicate a day to collect rubbish on the beach. This would be an awareness day and would help to keep the beach clean. 6. Evidence of sand extraction was found in this section. Recommendations: !Ban sand extraction from any part of the beach 7. Some houses belonging to local people are located on the beach. Recommendations: ! Remove houses from the beach, offering alternative accommodation to these families.

More details about the plan can be obtained by contacting Dr. Ali Fuat Canbolat, Ecological Research Society, email: canbolat@hacettepe.edu.tr

MEDASSET: Conservation Assessment of the Sea Turtle Nesting Beaches of Belek, Turkey (2003)

Other factors which should be taken into account. The research team report predation to be a serious problem in Belek. Evidence of canid attacks on turtle nests was found. Cages to protect some of the nests were applied by the team. Dogs are common in areas where local huts are located. Recommendations: !Appropriate use of term “predation”: in bibliography, “predation” is often reported without specifying the event referred to. A break-down of predation in different categories would help in the design and application of suitable conservation strategies, including the species of predators. !Initiate a hatching monitoring programme consisting of assigning at least two people to each nest whilst the turtles are hatching during the night. A team of volunteers (locals, student, foreign volunteers, etc) should be trained and involved in a “hatching monitoring” program. Human presence near a nest will deter dogs or other predators. In addition, following hatchlings to the water can reduce crab predation. !Costs: are low, but recruitment, training and coordination of volunteers is necessary. In addition, it is assumed that there is a research team working from the beginning of the nesting season, to identify nest positions and the dates of laying along the beach. !Individual nest protection together with hatching monitoring consists of protecting each nest with a cage or a screen. It requires an information campaign aimed at local people and tourists in order to avoid human disturbance, and a high manpower and accurate nest mapping (by an expert). The costs involved are of the materials to produce enclosures and manpower. It is assumed that there is a research team working from the beginning of the nesting season, which has identified nest positions and the dates of laying along the beach. !Investigate the possibility of controlling the predator populations: limiting and controlling the source of food available during the year in the village, such as rubbish scattered around, could help to control the population of dogs and others. Shock aversive conditioning: an aversive conditioning, such as electric shock, could be created in order to give a sufficiently strong shock to the dogs (or other) which may be deterred from further predation. Fishing activities were observed. These activities on the beach or near shore should be banned during the nesting season, during night and day. A juvenile Chelonia mydas was found stranded dead on the beach in section 4, probably drowned in a fishing net. Investigation should be conducted on the sewage system of section 2, which could be causing pollution in the sea. CONCLUSIONS. Belek is a supremely important nesting site for loggerhead turtles. Since 1999, the Hacettepe University research team has been conducting a monitoring programme that allows a scientific database and highlights problems. Despite this, the site needs more investigation and a conservation management plan should be implemented soon. The fact that the research team is supported by BETUYAB could indicate a positive attitude toward sustainable management. There is a strong need for an awareness programme, directed to tourists, tour operators, hotels, etc likewise to local people, in order to achieve collaboration toward conservation of the site. The protected areas need to be managed and controlled by the competent authorities and any further plans for tourism development should be stopped. Attention should be paid to the endangered soft-shell turtle (Trionyx triunguis) at Sarisu stream (section 4), setting up a monitoring programme in the area. For the past 13 years Belek has ignored Recommendations made by the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (Bern) Standing Committee MEDASSET: Conservation Assessment of the Sea Turtle Nesting Beaches of Belek, Turkey (2003)

(Recommendation No. 66, 4 December 1998 on the conservation status of some nesting beaches for Marine Turtles in Turkey) and recommendations made by sea turtle experts and NGO’s. According to the WWF assessment carried out in 1988 (Baran and Kasparek, 1989), Belek is one of the 5 supremely important nesting beaches out of the 17 important beaches identified in Turkey and referred to by Canbolat (in press) among the most important nesting beaches for loggerhead turtle in Turkey. A video showing the dangerous situation in Belek was shown in 1998 to the Bern Convention Standing Committee. Pictures of: the beach being bulldozed, tennis courts, strong lights, beach furniture, and structures on the beach, appeared in a Turkish University report for the Turkish government. In 2001, as a result of a MEDASSET campaign and complaints arising from a televised environmental award made by British Airways (BA) to BETUYAB, Dr. Kapurusinghe, a member of the IUCN/SSC Marine Turtle Specialist Group, was commissioned by BA to prepare a report on the situation in Belek. The award had been made on the totally erroneous grounds that tourist development in Belek had been exemplary as regards the environment. Despite many requests to BA, MEDASSET has been denied access to the report, however it is understood to highlight the appalling sea turtle situation in Belek, and to make a number of recommendation which have not to date been complied with.

REFERENCES. 1. Aureggi, M. 2001. Green turtle monitoring programme: Kazanli beach, Turkey, 2001. UNEP, Mediterranean Action Plan, Regional Activity Centre for Specially Protected Areas – Boulevard de l’Environnement, BP 337 – 1080 Cedex – Tunisie. 2. Baran, I., and Kasparek, M., 1989. Marine turtles in Turkey. Status survey 1988 and recommendations for conservation and management. WWF report. 3. Canbolat, A. in press. A review of sea turtle nesting activity along the Mediterranean coast of Turkey. Biological Conservation. 4. Canbolat, A. 2001. Belek: the most important sea turtle nesting area in the Turkish Mediterranean coastline. First Mediterranean Conference of marine Turtles, Book of abstract, 24-28 October 2001.p.13. 5. Canbolat, A. and Nalbantoglu, I. 2001. The problems of sea turtles conservation schemes in Belek (Turkey) tourism development area and recommended strategies for their protection. First Mediterranean Conference of marine Turtles, Book of abstract, 24-28 October 2001.p.13. 6. Geldiay, R., Koray, T., and Balik, S. 1982. Status of sea turtle populations (Caretta caretta and Chelonia mydas) in the Northern Mediterranean Sea, Turkey. In: Biology and Conservation of Sea Turtles, Bjorndal K.A.(eds), Smithsonian Inst. Press, Washington D.C. 425-434. 7. Groombridge, 1988. Marine turtles in the Mediterranean; distribution, population status, conservation, World Conservation Monitoring Centre, Cambridge, p. 57. 8. NRC.1990. Decline of sea turtles. National Academy Press. Washington D.C. 9. Sak, S.and Baran,I. 2001. Research on sea turtle population of Belek beach. Turk J.Zool 25:361-367. 10. Yerli, S.V. and Demirayak, F. 1996. Marine turtles in Turkey: a survey on nesting site status, DHKD, CMS, rep.No.96/4, Instanbul. 11. Witherington, B.E. 1999. Reducing threats to nesting habitats. In: Research and Management Techniques for the conservation of sea turtles. K.L. Eckert, K.A. Bjorndal, F.A. Abreu-Grobois, M. Donnelly (Eds). IUCN/SSC Marine Turtles Specialist Group.Pubbl.N.4. pp 179-183. ENVIRONMENTAL SITUATION AND TECHNICAL REPORTS PRESENTED BY MEDASSET TO THE STANDING COMMITTEE TO THE CONVENTION ON THE CONSERVATION OF EUROPEAN WILDLIFE AND NATURAL HABITATS (BERN CONVENTION) AT THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE, PUBLISHED WITHOUT A T-PVS REFERENCE: - MEDASSET, 2000: Loggerhead Nesting Beaches of Belek (Turkey), 4 pages.

MEDASSET: Conservation Assessment of the Sea Turtle Nesting Beaches of Belek, Turkey (2003)

ADDENDUM 1.

The 17 major marine turtle nesting areas of Turkey as assessed by WWF/International in 1988.

General view and nest distribution of Belek beach.

MEDASSET: Conservation Assessment of the Sea Turtle Nesting Beaches of Belek, Turkey (2003)

ADDENDUM 2.

Photo 1: Huts on the nesting beach, Belek, section 1.

Photo 2: Huts on the beach, Belek, section 1.

MEDASSET: Conservation Assessment of the Sea Turtle Nesting Beaches of Belek, Turkey (2003)

Photo 10: Local (religious) camp on the nesting beach, Belek, section 4.

MEDASSET: Conservation Assessment of the Sea Turtle Nesting Beaches of Belek, Turkey (2003)