START SAVING THE TURTLES TODAY, BUT BE PATIENT!

It has been estimated that marine turtles reach maturity when they are about 20-30 years old. This means that by starting to help turtles today you won't see the results of your actions on a population level for many years from now

AVOID BEING ON TURTLE NESTING BEACHES AT NIGHT

Female turtles may get scared by movements and lights on the beach when they attempt to nest. If disturbed, they may interrupt their nesting attempt and go back to the sea. If unable to nest they will drop their eggs in the sea. Be aware that your presence may disturb and stress them in ways that are not visible to human eyes

MINIMISE YOUR PRESENCE ON NESTING BEACHES

High human presence can cause the degradation of turtle habitats. Minimise your impact. Avoid walking on sand dunes. Remove rubbish, flatten sand sculptures and fill in holes (they may be an obstacle to nesting females or become deadly traps for hatchlings). Minimise swimming in important nesting areas as nesting turtles wait in shallow waters during the day and may be disturbed by your presence

MAKE SURE TO SWITCH OFF YOUR LIGHTS

Turtle hatchlings are attracted by lights. After emerging from the nest they head straight to the sea, the brightest part of the horizon in natural conditions. Artificial lights disorientate the hatchlings, which will go towards such lights increasing their chance of getting predated or dying of exhaustion or from the heat if they remain on land during the day. Lights can also disturb nesting females

BE RESPECTFUL, KEEP YOUR DISTANCE

Marine turtles are not pets nor should they be treated as a tourism attraction. They are wild animals and a priority species for conservation as they are threatened by human activities. Stay at least 2 metres from turtle nests (to avoid vibrations or sand movements that may damage the nest). If seen, give hatchlings ample and unobstructed space to reach and swim out to the sea and keep at least 10 metres distance from turtles if spotted at sea

DO NOT REMOVE PROTECTIVE CAGES OR OTHER MARKS

In Cyprus, marine turtle nests are protected from predation using aluminium cages or they are marked to avoid trampling and to facilitate monitoring. By removing the cage or the other marks you may cause the destruction of the nest and consequent death of embryos and hatchlings. In Cyprus disturbing nests and hatchlings is illegal

DO NOT DIG NESTS OR DISTURB HATCHLINGS

By digging the nest at the wrong time you may destroy its structure and cause the death of embryos and hatchlings. Hatchlings do not need help to reach the sea: by interfering you may lower their chances of survival and disrupt their imprinting (turtles display natal homing: they will return to the same area where they hatched to lay their eggs). In Cyprus disturbing nests and hatchlings is illegal

DO NOT DRIVE ON THE BEACH

Driving on the beach compacts the sand causing the degradation or destruction of habitats, including sand dunes, and it may damage turtle nests. Car tyres grooves become a deadly trap for hatchlings - instead of going to the sea they follow the tracks increasing their chances of getting predated or dying of exhaustion or from the heat if they remain on land during the day. In Cyprus driving on the beach is illegal

DO NOT FEED THEM

Feeding marine turtles can cause them to associate humans with food, lowering their survival chances. Such action disrupts their natural feeding behaviour posing a serious health risk. It may also lead them to approach boats or human frequented shorelines in search of food increasing the risk of injury from boat strikes or incidental capture in fishing gear. In Cyprus feeding marine turtles is illegal

REDUCE PLASTIC AND OTHER GARBAGE

Marine pollution is a significant threat to marine turtles and other marine animals. Plastic and other garbage can be mistaken for food, which can lead to serious health issues or even death. Turtles can also become entangled in discarded fishing gear or other waste both in the sea and on land resulting in severe injuries or death