Tunisia launches citizen science drive to protect sea turtle nesting sites

As the sea turtle nesting season commences on Tunisia's coastlines, the TunSea Association for Citizen Science is launching a public appeal for assistance. The organization is mobilizing citizens to help identify, monitor, and safeguard the vital nesting grounds that are crucial for the survival of these marine creatures.

Female sea turtles typically come ashore during the night to lay their eggs, carefully covering their nests before returning to the sea. Early detection of these nesting sites is paramount, enabling specialists and conservation groups to implement necessary protection measures and conduct scientific monitoring. TunSea is specifically reaching out to night fishermen, campers, and beach visitors who frequent the coastlines, asking them to report any observations of turtles nesting.

TunSea emphasizes the importance of responsible observation. If a turtle is encountered on the shore, individuals are advised to maintain a safe distance, avoid making noise that could disturb the animal, and refrain from using lights or flashes. Once the turtle has returned to the water, observers are encouraged to photograph the turtle or the tracks it left on the sand, mark the nest's location, and record its GPS coordinates. This information is vital for conservation efforts.

These collected details are to be shared on TunSea's platforms, providing precise location and observation dates. The association also highlights the distinctive tracks sea turtles leave on the sand, often likened to tractor marks, and urges documentation of such signs with photographic or video evidence and geographical coordinates. This citizen science approach allows the public to directly contribute to research and the conservation of marine biodiversity, with the collected data being passed on to relevant experts and local associations for on-the-ground intervention and monitoring of future hatching success. TunSea believes this collective effort could significantly enhance sea turtle protection in Tunisia and potentially lead to the discovery of new nesting sites.

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Keep your distance, avoid any noise that could disturb it, and do not use light or flash in its direction.