Professors from the UK return to North Cyprus turtle project
PROFESSORS from the UK’s University of Exeter returned to North Cyprus for a recent 10-day trip to check on the progress of the Society for the Protection of Turtles (Spot) Marine Turtle Conservation Project (MTCP).
Brendan Godley and Annette Broderick have been travelling to the TRNC every year since 1992 to “oversee the research and conservation work and to engage with the Turkish Cypriot community” Spot’s Robin Snape said.
The latest visit was possible as the pair have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19 and were able to enter the country without quarantine.
The two were part of the “founding group of students that established sea turtle monitoring in North Cyprus in 1992 and went on to undertake their undergraduate and PhD degrees in North Cyprus”.
“Through Spot and the Environmental Protection Department, Brendan and Annette have since supervised 14 PhD studies and tens of MSc and undergraduate projects on sea turtles and other marine life,” Dr Snape said.
“They are the driving force behind the excellent global reputation of the TRNC for its sea turtle conservation efforts, bringing international media and tourism interest and placing the sea turtle as the unique icon of TRNC.”
During the stay, the Exeter professors met with President Ersin Tatar, Agriculture and Natural Resources Minister Nazım Çavuşoğlu, Environmental Protection Department head Hasibe Küsetoğlu, and associates at Near East University, Girne American University, Eastern Mediterranean University and Girne University.
Dr Snape added that “so far 19 international volunteers from the UK, Germany, Taiwan, USA, Portugal, Belgium and Spain have passed through quarantine and have been working hard on the project where they are currently matched by 12 local volunteers”.
He said the first green turtle nest was recorded on May 21 at Alagadi, “and since then we have recorded over 200 nests on those beaches, with nearly all of the nesting females monitored by our well-coordinated and trained nighttime research team”.
“On the west coast there are now over 200 nests, and on the north coast we have almost reached 100 nests,” he continued.
“It has been especially busy with loggerheads, which is pleasing given that their population recovery has been relatively slow.
“We expect to open night watch to visitors from this weekend. If you are interested to see the 100kilo and over one-metre long green turtles laying their nests at Alagadi with our international research team, follow our Facebook page for updates on how to make a reservation for night watch.”
Meanwhile an online campaign has been launched to raise £20,000 for the MTCP.
“During the challenging pandemic times, most of the volunteer fees are spent on quarantine expenses and tourist donations are close to zero,” Dr Snape said.
“All local volunteers have to present a negative PCR test on arrival and the whole team are tested weekly. While we are lucky to be supported by international sponsors, we still have a deficit and exceptional administrative costs, and so have therefore set up a crowdfunding platform at University of Exeter.
“To support our capacity through Covid please visit the crowdfunding page at exeter.hubbub.net/p/ turtles/”