THE ARCHANLONthe Association for the Protection of the Marine Turtle in Greece, is sounding the alarm for the increasing tendency to be fed turtle From people to seaside areas, ports and tourist resorts. As he points out in his recent announcement, “Despite good intentions, this practice causes serious problems, both for turtles and for people”.

According to Dimitris Fytilis, in charge of the ARCHELON Sea Rescue Center in Glyfada Attica, “Sea turtles are not like the pets we are used to. Live free in the sea, travel long distances and usually rarely meet people. “. However, when a turtle associates the human presence with foodchanges behavior: “He begins to treat bathers and other turtles as competitors in the diet and can try to remove them with aggressive movements and even bites.”he notes.

In addition, he draws attention: “A turtle that is used to being fed, can pursue bathers or approach people with an aggressive mood, endangering public security.”.

Why Pauling Sea Turtles is dangerous

1. Change of physical behavior: Human supply causes a change in the natural behavior of turtles, which begin to approach boats and swimmers, increasing the chances of injury or even deadly incidents.

2. Risk for public security: Turtles have strong jaws and their bite can cause serious injuries, especially if they feel threatened.

3. Inappropriate nutrition: Human food is not suitable for turtles, which play an important role in the ecosystem, naturally feeding on organisms such as the tigers. Providing fish, red or cooked residues disrupts their diet and health.

4. Invoice and dependence: Continuous feeding leads to the greater tourning of turtles, which makes them vulnerable, making it difficult to protect and manage them, especially when conflicts with human activities occur.

The correct way of protecting sea turtles

Archelon proposes specific actions to ensure the well -being of marine turtles:

  • Observe the turtles always keeping distance, without touching them or following them.
  • Kindly inform those who may see them feed them.
  • Spread the right information in your social environment – the knowledge It is a force of protecting natural wealth.

According to ARCHELON, incidents of turtle festival have been recorded in areas such as Limeni, Mani, Zakynthos and Chania. The organization points out that “Tailing for turtles is not an act of care but a disturbance of natural balance”and invites us to respect the sea And the life it hosts. Sea turtles need protection from human interventions.

EP