Protected green and loggerhead turtles are experiencing a resurgence on the beaches of two British military bases in Cyprus, as environmentalists announced that this year’s count of turtle nests has exceeded last year’s record by approximately 25%. The total number of sea turtle nests on all sandy beaches within the bases reached 382, marking an increase of 100 nests compared to the previous year.
According to Base Environmental and Police Officer Alexia Perdiou, the commitment of base authorities to safeguard these nests over the past few decades is proving successful, especially considering that between 1994 and 2011, only an average of 30 turtle nests were found each year on the base beaches. This improvement is noteworthy as typically, only one out of 1,000 turtle hatchlings survives to adulthood.
Perdiou attributed the significant rise in turtle nests to a consistent and hands-off approach, complemented by enforcement measures to prevent illegal and harmful activities on the nesting beaches. Additionally, the absence of development on most sandy beaches within the bases and regular patrols by volunteers contribute to the protection of nests through the use of aluminum cages placed over them to deter predators like foxes and dogs.
Strict regulations are in place to preserve the nesting sites, with fines of up to 17,000 euros ($19,000) or a maximum of three years in prison for activities such as driving vehicles, hosting parties with barbeques, or using bright lights on the beaches. Despite the remarkable progress, Perdiou emphasized that conservation efforts will continue, with ongoing collaborations among base authorities, the Cypriot government, local authorities, and volunteers to ensure the turtles’ well-being.
The British military bases in Cyprus, retained after the island gained independence in 1960, are integral to the Royal Air Force’s operations and house significant communication infrastructure. Base authorities anticipate investments exceeding 1 billion pounds ($1.3 billion) in the bases over the next decade to sustain their operations and conservation initiatives.
