ADM Elektrik will illuminate the coasts of Fethiye with 'red light'

Evaluating the project, ADM Elektrik General Manager Emrah Kalkan said, "Within the scope of our project conducted with an understanding of acting in harmony with natural life, we are converting street lighting to red lights.

Sea turtles, which do not perceive red light, can thus go towards the sea instead of the city and reach the sea," he said.
Population growth increases pressure on natural life, especially in coastal areas during summer months. The acceleration of urbanization and the effects of technological transformation increase the importance of applications aimed at protecting biodiversity day by day. In this regard, studies supporting the sustainability of coastal ecosystems and applications that oversee natural life are of critical importance.

ADM Elektrik, the electricity distribution company of Aydın, Denizli, and Muğla, is implementing an important project to protect the natural life of sea turtles with this understanding. Implementing a pilot project in 2025 on Karaot beach in Fethiye district of Muğla, ADM is expanding the project to the Kocaçalıs Beach region in Fethiye. The project, jointly conducted by Pamukkale University and ADM, will contribute to the long-term protection efforts carried out under the leadership of academics by the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change.

With the consultancy of Pamukkale University Sea Turtle Specialist Lecturer Dr. Doğan Sözbilen and with the contribution of Aydem Enerji and the leadership of ADM Elektrik, street lighting has been converted to red light for sea turtles adversely affected by city lights during their nesting periods. Sea turtles, which do not perceive red light, will thus be able to safely nest and the hatchlings will head towards the sea and reach the water. The application implemented on the beaches of Fethiye represents an important example demonstrating that natural life can be sustained in harmony with human activities.

Dr. Doğan Sözbilen: "The project in Fethiye is a first and pioneer in Turkey"
Sözbilen stated that the coasts of Fethiye are among the most important nesting areas of sea turtles in Turkey and highlighted the scientific importance of the project, saying, "The beaches of Fethiye are an area where monitoring and protection efforts by the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change Directorate General of Nature Conservation have been continuously conducted for the longest time.

Moreover, it is an intensive tourism area where the city and nesting beach are intertwined. Sea turtles, as species older than dinosaurs, continue to survive today thanks to adaptive processes developed through millions of years of evolution. However, artificial lighting, which is a reflection of increased human pressure in coastal areas, especially white and bright lights, negatively affect both adult females' nesting behaviors and hatchlings’ orientation to the sea. Scientific studies show that red light has a much lower impact on sea turtles. Therefore, red light applications have recently come to the forefront as a conservation practice being promoted worldwide. This project we implemented with ADM Elektrik is the first in Turkey," he explained.

"Artificial lights constitute a threat"
Stating that hatchlings reach the water by following the natural light of the sea after hatching, Sözbilen emphasized that artificial lights pose a significant threat and said, "Thanks to this application on Kocaçalıs Beach, the turtles will freely nest where they were born. While there is a trend of increasing nest numbers across the Mediterranean, no significant change has been seen in Fethiye in the past 30 years. Therefore, every precaution taken is critically important. Sea turtles return to the beaches where they were born to nest years later. We must continue to protect these beaches so that the hatchlings we protect today can find healthy nesting sites about 20 years later," he stated.

Emrah Kalkan: "We aim to expand the project in our region"
Evaluating the project, ADM Elektrik General Manager Emrah Kalkan said, "While implementing environmental and social projects in our region covering the provinces of Aydın, Denizli, and Muğla, the most important criterion is the sustainability of the project. In line with our company values including the understanding of ‘Touching Life’, we continue to implement projects that protect the future of our planet and benefit all living beings in our operational region. The most important breeding areas of sea turtles, which are very important for the ecosystem, are located in our region. We are converting street lighting to red lights. Thus, both sea turtles can easily reach the sea and lighting continues uninterruptedly for our customers. We aim to expand the project in our region," he said.

First scientific data in September
The sea turtle breeding season starts in May and ends in late September. After an incubation period of about 45-60 days, hatchlings are expected to meet the sea from mid-July. Females usually lay eggs every 2-3 years and can make a few nests in one season. Each nest typically contains 50-100 eggs. During this period, female turtles’ nesting behaviors, nest numbers, and hatchlings’ success in reaching the sea are systematically monitored. Since sea turtles take 20-25 years to mature, a dramatic change in nest numbers is not expected initially. The first results from regularly conducted measurements are planned to be evaluated and reported in September. The impact assessment of the project will be monitored through follow-up studies in the coming years.

(IHA) -