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The Fethiye-Gocek Specially Protected Area (SPA) is an important protected area in Turkey that includes important loggerhead turtle nesting beaches and marine habitats for sea turtles. Here, we analysed the number of stranded loggerhead and green sea turtles in the Fethiye-Gocek SPA, Turkey. A total of 139 dead sea turtles (102 loggerhead and 37 green turtles) were found between the years 2000 and 2016. The majority of stranded loggerheads were considered to be adults (77.45%), while the majority of stranded green turtles were immature individuals (86.49%). Mean annual strandings were 6.0 individuals for loggerhead turtles and 2.2 individuals for green turtles. The main cause of strandings was determined as incidental catch in fishing gear (51% for loggerhead turtle, 41% for green turtle) and marine vehicle collisions (23% for loggerhead turtle and 27% for green turtles). Strandings were encountered all year round. These results suggest that the Fethiye-Gocek SPA should not be only considered as a seasonal nesting ground for loggerhead turtles, but also a year-round feeding ground for both species. An increase in the number of stranded turtles in the study area suggests that negative anthropogenic effects on sea turtle populations are relatively high and that conservation and monitoring efforts on the nesting beaches are not sufficient to protect sea turtle populations. Research is required to identify the fisheries' segments and metiers responsible for sea turtle mortality in order to develop bycatch mitigation, prioritising the marine habitats of the Fethiye-Gocek SPA.

The biochemical blood parameters of 22 (7 foraging, 7 nesting, and 8 injured) loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) from the southwest coast of Turkey were investigated. A total of 27 blood variables were analyzed in three groups (plasma enzymes, plasma metabolites, and plasma ions), and 4 steroid hormones: testosterone (T) estradiol (E-2), progesterone (Pro), and corticosterone (B). Triglyceride, cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, very low-density lipoprotein, magnesium, and phosphorus were higher in nesting females; urea was high in foraging individuals; and sodium, potassium, and chloride were lower while estradiol levels were higher in injured individuals. In addition, plasma steroid hormone levels T, Pro, and B were assessed in healthy and stranded individuals. The results of the present study provide valuable blood parameters for the medical care of the species in rescue centers and help us to understand the physiological response of loggerhead sea turtles to different conditions.

The nesting activities of Loggerhead Turtles (Caretta caretta Stejneger, 1902) and anthropogenic factors affecting them were monitored over 7 years (2002-2008) on Dalaman-Sarigerme beach, one of the main nesting grounds in Turkey. Out of the 2620 nesting emergences recorded during the entire study period, only 645 (24.6%) resulted in successful nesting, giving an annual mean number of nests of 92. The collective number of eggs in these nests numbered 50239, with 40079 (79.8%) of them producing hatchlings. Out of the total number of eggs laid, 8128 (16.2%) resulted in dead embryos and 2032 (4.0%) in unfertilized eggs. The mean incubation period averaged 49 days (range 40-67 days) and the mean clutch size was 79.0 (range 18-150 eggs). Turtle nests were more concentrated on the undeveloped parts of the beach than on developed parts. In the other sections, few emergences occurred and either no or few nests were recorded. In Section 1, which contained hotels and water sports facilities, only a few non-nesting emergences were observed. Of the number of nests that were observed, 32% were laid in Section II, which contained recently built hotels, 60% were in Section III and 8% were in Section IV, the undeveloped portion containing beach rocks. There is very clear evidence that the Loggerhead Turtles are shifting their nesting sites to the undisturbed sites along the beach. The negative factors that seem to be affecting them include water sports, hotel lights and beach rocks. In order to protect sea turtles, there needs to be a better understanding of how effective beach protection can be established.