MUGLA, TURKIYE - (ARCHIVE): A file photo dates August 18, 2021 shows sea turtle being kept in an area before freeing into wild after a treatment at Sea Turtles Research Rescue and Rehabilitation Center (Dekamer) in Iztuzubeach where 206 mature sea turtles built 735 nests in Mugla, Turkiye. Every year May 23 recognized as World Turtle Day, celebrated globally to raise awareness and protect turtles and tortoises. Initiated by American Tortoise Rescue in 2000, the day highlights the threats these creatures face, including habitat loss and pollution. Sea turtles play critical roles in the marine environment but plastic waste destroys natural life and harms the life cycle of this species. 2 years of data were collected for research from different coasts of Turkiye, such as Mugla, Hatay, Adana, Antalya, Istanbul and Rize. Besides, the photo story project has been captured the life of sea turtles between the Iztuzu coast, which is the nesting area of sea turtles, and the Samandag Coast of Turkiye for 4 months. In the Mediterranean Sea, 95% of the waste consists of plastic materials. According to the researchers, 134 marine species living in this water eat plastic waste. It is reported that 1.25 million particles of plastic waste, smaller than 5 millimeters, were found per square kilometer in the Mediterranean Sea. “At least 10 turtles die every year due to fishing activities and ghost nets” said Sea Turtles Research Rescue and Rehabilitation Center (Dekamer). ( Şebnem Coşkun - Anadolu Agency )
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