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IMAGE: Loggerhead turtle caught in set nets in Famagusta and released with support of SPOT team view more
Credit: Olkan Erguler
Numbers of two Mediterranean turtle species have risen in the last three decades - but in Cyprus the recoveries are happening at different rates, new research shows.
Nest counts at 28 beaches show green turtle nests increased by 162% from 1993 to 2019, while loggerhead nests rose by 46%.
The research team - from the University of Exeter, the Society for the Protection of Turtles (SPOT) and Eastern Mediterranean University - say the difference is probably due to higher death rates among loggerhead turtles of all ages.
Mediterranean turtles recovering at different rates
Numbers of two Mediterranean turtle species have risen in the last three decades – but in Cyprus the recoveries are happening at different rates, new research shows.
Nest counts at 28 beaches show green turtle nests increased by 162% from 1993 to 2019, while loggerhead nests rose by 46%.
The research team – from the University of Exeter, the Society for the Protection of Turtles (SPOT) and Eastern Mediterranean University – say the difference is probably due to higher death rates among loggerhead turtles of all ages.
Turtles in this region used to be hunted for meat and shells, but this is now banned throughout the Mediterranean. Coupled with conservation of nesting beaches, this has allowed populations to recover – but the scientists say better protection at sea is still required.