For the 35thyear in succession MEDASSET participated in the 45 th Standing Committee Meeting of the Bern Convention, highlighting the ongoing and serious failures in protecting critical habitats, for the Caretta caretta sea turtles, in the Mediterranean. The Decisions for the cases in Zakynthos, the Gulf of Kyparissia, key areas in Türkiye (Fethiye, Patara, Anamur, Kazanlı), and the Akamas Peninsula in Cyprus, to remain open, illustrate that, despite official commitments, pressures on these sea turtle habitats are intensifying.
The Standing Committee requested that on the spot appraisals take place the summer of 2026, in Zakynthos and the Gulf of Kyparissia, signaling that these issues remain unresolved and that international concern is mounting. In parallel, the Convention reopened the Kazanlı case in Turkey, stressing that ongoing monitoring and accountability are essential. A key development is the separation of cases concerning Türkiye’s Fethiye and Patara regions. Fethiye remains under close international scrutiny, while Patara is placed in a pending status, maintaining oversight without formal closure.
The situation in Zakynthos presents a mix of progress and persistent challenges. The Greek government’s proposal to create a new Marine National Park—covering also parts of the Zakynthos National Marine Park and the marine protected area of the Kyparissia Bay — is a promising step. However, long-term protection measures fail to be resolved and on the top, new threats appear. At Marathonisi islet, the temporary suspension of construction, following NGOs MEDASSET, ARCHELON & WWF Greece as well as NECCA interventions, underscores the need for continuous vigilance, law enforcement and legal battles. The Gulf of Kyparissia faces equally pressing threats: light pollution on nesting beaches, inadequate monitoring, uncontrolled camping, and vehicles on sand dunes continue to degrade Caretta caretta habitats.
The 2025 decisions of the Bern Convention send a clear message: Mediterranean sea turtle nesting sites remain under severe threat, and immediate, effective protection measures need to be a significant priority.
MEDASSET Director George Sampson commented: “The Bern Convention plays a vital role in safeguarding Mediterranean sea turtles. These ancient creatures face relentless, human-induced pressures, and constant vigilance is required. The Convention’s cases help hold governments accountable, particularly for critical nesting beaches in Zakynthos, the Gulf of Kyparissia, and in Türkiye’s Fethiye, Patara, Anamur, and Kazanlı. The 2025 decisions highlight how much more needs to be done to ensure the survival of sea turtles and the conservation of their habitats.”
Read the full decisions of the Standing Committee of the Bern Convention on Greece, Cyprus, and Türkiye HERE
