The second phase of the 'Our Lights Are Red for Sea Turtles' project, initiated by ADM Electricity to protect the nesting areas of sea turtles, was introduced at a press conference held in Fethiye on World Sea Turtles Day.
An important environmental project aimed at protecting sea turtles in Fethiye was introduced to the public. The second phase of the “Our Lights Are Red for Sea Turtles” project, carried out by ADM Elektrik under the umbrella of Aydem Energy, was announced at a press conference held at Liberty Lykia Hotel on World Sea Turtles Day.
Within the scope of the project carried out in cooperation with the Republic of Turkey Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, Pamukkale University, and ADM Electricity, the street lights at Kocaçalış Beach, one of the important nesting areas of Fethiye, were converted to red light. ADM Electricity General Manager Emrah Kalkan, project manager Pamukkale University Lecturer Dr. Doğan Sözbilen, and numerous members of the press attended the project's promotional meeting.
Red light era started in Kocaçalış
Speaking at the meeting, ADM Electricity General Manager Emrah Kalkan emphasized that as a company, they not only provide electricity distribution services but also have responsibilities towards the geography and ecosystem they live in. Kalkan said, “We have taken on the responsibility to ensure that sea turtles, which have used these shores as nesting areas for millions of years, can live more safely. Especially hatchlings can lose their lives by heading towards city lights instead of the natural light coming from the sea after hatching. Therefore, we converted the lighting on Kocaçalış Beach to red light. Scientific studies show that sea turtles perceive red light much less than white and blue light.” Kalkan stated that they started the project last year as a pilot application on Karaot Beach, and after obtaining positive results, the application was expanded to Kocaçalış Beach this year.
Light pollution is one of the biggest threats to sea turtles
Pamukkale University Lecturer Dr. Doğan Sözbilen stated that the promotion held on World Sea Turtle Day was meaningful and expressed that Turkey is one of the countries of critical importance for the protection of sea turtles in the Mediterranean. Sözbilen recalled that Fethiye is one of the 21 officially declared sea turtle nesting beaches in Turkey and said, “The Fethiye beach differs from other nesting areas as it is intertwined with the city. Intensive human activity, light pollution, and urbanization pressure have negative effects on sea turtles. Therefore, every conservation effort made here carries special importance.”
Drawing attention to light pollution as one of the most significant threats to sea turtles, Sözbilen stated that the support provided by ADM Elektrik for the project is an exemplary cooperation. Noting that the pilot application carried out in Karaot last year yielded positive results, Sözbilen announced that this year the application has been expanded to the Kocaçalış region and aims to be widespread throughout Fethiye in the coming period. Within the scope of the project, scientific observation and monitoring studies will be conducted in the field throughout the nesting season. The nesting behaviors of female sea turtles, the number of eggs, and the number of hatchlings reaching the sea will be recorded. Based on the obtained data, the first scientific evaluation report is planned to be prepared in September.
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