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There were 382 sea turtle nests recorded this year on all sandy
beaches inside the bases — 100 more than last year’s count.
Bases Environmental and Police Officer Alexia Perdiou said a
decades-long commitment by base authorities to safeguard nests
is paying off, given that an average of only 30 turtle nests
were discovered each year on the base beaches between 1994 and
2011.
The turnaround is remarkable given that only one in 1,000 turtle
hatchlings makes it to adulthood.
“The steep increase in turtle nests has been the result of a
consistent, systematic ‘hands-off’ approach, together with
enforcement efforts to minimize illegal, damaging activities on
nesting beaches,” Perdiou said.
Contributing to the nest increase, she said, is the fact that
most sandy beaches inside the bases are free from development,
while daily patrols by volunteers ensure that aluminum cages set
atop the nests remain in place to protect the turtles from
predators like foxes and dogs.
Human activity on the beaches, including the driving of
vehicles, parties with barbeques or powerful lighting is
punishable by up to 17,000 euros ($19,000) in fines or three
years in prison.
Perdiou said despite the success, authorities won’t let up in
their conservation efforts in partnerships with the Cypriot
government, local authorities and volunteers.
Britain retained two military bases along Cyprus’ southern coast
after the east Mediterranean island gained independence from
colonial rule in 1960. They are home to one of the Royal Air
Force's busiest and most complex airfields, and host important
communications equipment.
Base authorities said it’s likely that investments of over 1
billion pounds sterling ($1.32 billion) will be made in the
bases over the next decade.
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