Turtle Nesting Season Kicks Off in Cyprus

The sea turtle nesting season has officially begun in Cyprus, with the first nests of the year discovered on the beaches of Polis Chrysochous. Authorities are calling on the public to remain vigilant and respect the rules designed to protect these endangered animals.

The Department of Fisheries and Marine Research is reminding everyone about the legal measures in place to safeguard sea turtles. These fascinating creatures are often driven away from nesting beaches by human activity, which can lead to them losing their eggs in the sea.

Every summer, adult female turtles return to quiet, dark beaches at night to lay their eggs. However, when they encounter people, they may get scared and retreat back into the sea without laying—leaving the eggs to perish.

The department highlights a sobering fact: only one or two hatchlings out of every thousand survive to adulthood and return to nest. This is why strict compliance with protective regulations is absolutely essential to the species' survival.

From June 1 to September 30, the following activities are banned on protected beaches:

• Placing umbrellas, sunbeds, tents, caravans, or any other structures

• Entering the beach after sunset (starting one hour before sundown)

In addition, from May 1 to October 31, fishing, mooring, or anchoring vessels within 20 meters of protected coastlines is prohibited—unless you hold a license for small-scale professional coastal fishing.

Other prohibited actions include:

• Driving any vehicle on the beach

• Collecting ghost crabs (Ocypode cursor), a protected species

• Littering or lighting fires on the beach

The department also stressed that the presence of species like the loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) and the green turtle (Chelonia mydas) is a strong sign of a thriving marine ecosystem in Cyprus.