| Turkey's Sea Turtles in Trouble |
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| Written by Jason Peters |
| Thursday, 08 December 2011 12:46 |
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Description: Turkey's Sea Turtles in Trouble, filmed by Richard Brock during September 2009, visits the sea turtle nesting beaches of Dalyan, Iztuzu, Fethiye, Çalis, Yaniklar, Yonca, Akgöl and Sarigerme in Turkey. The aim of this film was to highlight the successful implementation of conservation measures at Dalyan, while at the same time drawing the viewers attention to the lack of protection at the important neighbouring nesting beaches, many of which are also designated as Specially Protected Areas. Unplanned construction and developments to accommodate tourism, lack of regulation enforcement and non-implementation of conservation measures, pose a serious threat to sea turtle nesting. In contrast to Dalyan, a balance between environmental protection and (sustainable) development has yet to be established, with the endangered sea turtles being the victims. A dramatic drop in nesting at Fethiye had already been documented, indicating poor sea turtle conservation measures in this region. The film was produced to complement MEDASSET's campaign calling for protection of the nesting beaches at Fethiye. A shorter version was produced focusing exclusively on Fethiye. Both versions were made available to the general public through the internet (e.g. YouTube, Facebook, etc.), MEDASSET's newsletters and website. In November 2009 the Fethiye version was shown at a side event of the 29th Bern Convention Standing Committee Meeting in Bern, Switzerland, in order to draw the delegates' attention to the issue. The film was subtitled in Turkish and presented at the 3rd Turkish National Sea Turtle Symposium in Mersin, in December 2009 and at the 30th International Annual Symposium on Sea Turtle Biology and Conservation in India, Goa, April 2010.
Sunset Beach Club Apartments replied with a denial of the existence of nesting but pledged to discontinue use of water sports equipment, keep the beach clear at night and free of vehicles at all times. The leading international travel group TUI AG organised the stakeholder meeting "Travellers without boundaries - Kick-off event for implementation of sea turtle protection measures in the Dalaman region" in May 2011, in Sarigerme, to address the issue and developed guest and hotel guidelines in English, Turkish and German for sea turtle protection in Turkey in collaboration with MEDASSET, DEKAMER and the Kaptan June Foundation. The film's clarity and visual confirmation of all issues described in the letters and the Complaint submitted to the Bern Convention Secretariat, makes it a powerful tool for presenting the case and convincing viewers of the severe degradation of nesting beaches at Fethiye. Apart from helping visitors to become aware of the impacts tourism has on the environment and to think about the true "cost" of their holidays, the film is expected to be a useful leverage tool in the campaign to protect Fethiye's nesting beaches. The content of "Turkey's Sea Turtles in Trouble" cannot be contained as it is now in the public domain and therefore outside the control of Turkey's policy makers, its tourist industry, or its responsible national authorities. By presenting not only the severe impacts that tourism is having on an endangered species and its habitat but also the lack of implementation of conservation measures within a supposedly "specially protected area", the film has the potential to tarnish their image if the situation is not remedied.
The further filming planned, and the suggested interviews, aim to create a "DVD dialogue" that will follow up on the situation on the beaches and offer an opportunity to businesses to express their perspectives on the issue. It may prove that media, such as short films, together with the unlimited communication opportunities the internet offers, will become a key ingredient in environmental campaigns, especially where NGOs are experiencing difficulties in getting companies and authorities to react. Directly targeting the offender businesses - those that have a direct impact and that can make a difference - through a film-based campaign, complements the traditional means of demanding action on conservation from national authorities, international treaties and conventions. (Source: Fethiye: Turkey's Turtles in Trouble! in Marine Turtle Newsletter (in press), by Lily Venizelos & Liza Boura, MEDASSET) Positive results: A combination of lobbying (with complaints/reports through the Bern Convention) and the film, generated the following two changes: A. The Turkish government implemented some conservation measures in 2011 on the nesting beaches. B. TUI AG held a meeting in May at Sarigerme to discuss and present the sea turtle conservation guidelines for hoteliers and guests that we jointly developed, and which were produced in September. This action does not address the problem at the source, but it is a step forward (i.e. it is not a binding action, it's a suggestion to the hotel, but we do not yet know at what extent they will implement the guidelines). A comment from TUI asked that if a similar film was to be produced in the future, to please consult with them and discuss first which most likely means that they are affected and do worry about these films. The campaign is ongoing... Contact/Links: Filmed/Produced by Richard Brock and edited into various versions by Medasset. The Brock Initiative, Dumpers Cottage, Chew Magna, Bristol BS40 8SS, UK Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Website: www.brockinitiative.org Founded in 1988 and with roots going back to 1983, MEDASSET is an international environmental NGO registered in the UK and in Greece. MEDASSET plays an active role in the study and conservation of sea turtles and their habitats throughout the Mediterranean, through scientific research, environmental education, political lobbying and raising public awareness. Since 1988 the organisation has been a Permanent Observermember of the Bern Convention at the Council of Europe and Partner to the Mediterranean Action Plan (MAP) of UNEP. In 2009, it was awarded Partner status for the implementation of UNEP's Action Plan for the Conservation of Marine Turtles in the Mediterranean. Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Websites: www.medasset.org www.euroturtle.org See the various film versions on both Brock Initiative and Medasset Channels: Non-Profit Availability: The films can be downloaded from YouTube and Vimeo. |
Title: Turkey's Sea Turtles in Trouble (Turkey Turtles in Trouble)
In January 2010, a campaign letter and a copy of the Fethiye film were sent to the Turkish Ministry of Environment. In March 2010, letters and DVDs were sent to the major international tour operators active in Fethiye, as well as to the local hotels, restaurants and bars that affect the beaches. All were informed of MEDASSET's actions to address the situation and were provided with information on the corrective measures necessary to protect the turtles. Tour operators were requested to act upon their publicised commitment to environmental protection, to require from their partner businesses at Fethiye that they should adopt sea turtle-friendly behaviour and alter their facilities and activities accordingly. Recipients were informed of the wide distribution of the film and its potential to cause damaging negative publicity, given that tourists are becoming increasingly concerned about the protection of biodiversity and beginning to choose both their destination and their accommodation accordingly. In order to create a process of discussion and dialogue, the businesses were also invited to give interviews during filming planned for the future: "We'll be back!"
The rise of concepts such as "Responsible Tourism" and "Corporate Social Responsibility" provides additional opportunities to exert pressure. Major tour operators pay lip-service to such concepts but seldom seem inclined to implement any actual measures. This has led to consumer accusations of "green-washing." With the footage in hand, operators' assertions and green credentials can be more easily challenged.
