The bitter cause of death for 3 caretta carettas found dead on the coasts of İzmir and Aydın has been revealed

3 caretta caretta (sea turtles) that washed ashore and were found dead in the Selçuk district of İzmir and the Kuşadası district of Aydın were meticulously examined by local environmental protection associations and authorities. In the official statement made by the Ecological Protection and Nature Lovers Association (EKODOSD), the details of the locations where the incidents occurred were shared. Accordingly, one sea turtle washed ashore on Zeytinköy Beach within the borders of Selçuk, while two different caretta carettas were found dead on the shores of Kuşadası. Teams dispatched to the area immediately by the coast guard and nature conservation teams definitively determined that the animals had died. This concerning situation has once again brought the survival struggle of endangered marine life on our coasts to the agenda. Authorities decided to launch detailed investigations following the incident to look into the causes of death of the turtles.

During the initial examinations conducted by expert teams arriving at the scene, three different and tragic causes believed to have led to the death of the turtles emerged. It is suspected that the first animal lost its life after being struck by the propeller of a fast-moving marine vessel while surfacing to breathe. The second turtle is thought to have drowned horribly and become immobilized after fishing monofilament lines used by anglers wrapped around its neck and flippers. The third and final turtle is believed to have died from asphyxiation after being caught as bycatch in nets cast by fishing boats. These findings reveal the devastating impact of marine traffic and uncontrolled fishing activities on sensitive marine ecosystems. Experts emphasize the need to reduce the speed of marine vessels, especially during the summer months, and to use environmentally friendly nets in fishing activities.

Following the determination of the animals' causes of death, necessary steps were taken to initiate scientific processes. During the examinations conducted at the scene, various tissue and shell samples were meticulously collected from the turtles. These critical samples were sent to Prof. Dr. Oğuz Türkozan, a faculty member at the Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Aydın Adnan Menderes University (ADÜ), who specializes in sea turtles and reptiles, for examination. Detailed necropsy and genetic analyses to be conducted in university laboratories will also reveal the general health conditions and potential diseases of the animals. Such scientific research helps gather vital data for formulating conservation strategies. The results obtained will play a decisive role in shaping environmental measures to be taken in the future.

Türkiye's coasts, particularly the temperate waters of the Mediterranean and the Aegean, are known as one of the world's most important breeding and feeding grounds for caretta carettas. Every year, thousands of sea turtles come ashore on these beaches to lay their eggs, adding immense value to the region's biodiversity. However, environmental pressures such as increasing marine traffic, waste left in the seas, and especially plastic pollution seriously threaten the survival of these creatures. Monofilament lines and abandoned fishing nets act virtually as silent and invisible traps for underwater life. Nature conservation experts argue that both the local public and the maritime sector must be raising awareness to prevent such deaths. Otherwise, there is a risk that conservation efforts spanning decades will be submerged.

This developing tragic event once again proves how essential the efforts of local non-governmental organizations, such as EKODOSD, are regarding the sustainability of the marine ecosystem. Nature lovers and volunteer teams regularly patrol the coasts throughout the year, trying to identify injured or dead animals and report them to the relevant authorities. In the calls made by officials regarding the matter, citizens who see any marine animal on the beach or encounter a creature caught in nets are asked to call emergency hotlines. These deaths on the shores of İzmir and Aydın have gone down in the records as a cautionary event demonstrating how environmentally fragile our country's seas are. Authorities will share a detailed report with the public, including location and time information, once the investigations are completed. It is expected that cooperation at national and international levels will be increased to prevent the recurrence of such events.