Legambiente and TH Resorts have signed a memorandum of understanding to protect sea turtles that nest on Italian coasts.
The memorandum of understanding was signed as part of the European Life Turtlenest project. TH Resorts and Legambiente undertake to collaborate for the implementation of a common program, which provides for the adoption of a Code of Conduct, aimed at tourist operators in the seaside sector for correct management of the beaches and aimed at protecting sea turtles and their nests.
Sea turtles of the Caretta caretta species are increasingly nesting on Italian beaches. A positive phenomenon, but one that requires attention. The increase in temperatures, linked to climate change, has expanded the nesting area of this species in the Mediterranean. In this context the Life Turtlenest project, created with the contribution of the LIFE program of the European Union, was created precisely to protect the nesting habitats of the Caretta caretta and to increase the reproductive success of the species. This scenario therefore sees a great relevance of the role of seaside resorts, fundamental for reporting and making nests safe, but also for maintaining the habitat suitable for nesting, as well as informing and raising awareness among the general public.
The framework agreement at national level translates into specific protocols at local level relating to the management of beaches. The entities involved have obtained the recognition of “Lidos friendly to sea turtles” as evidence of their commitment. Legambiente also granted a special flag of the Life Turtlenest project, which must be displayed on site. Specifically, the TH resorts that took part in the initiative are located in Ostuni, Ortano, Sibari Marina, Marina of Pisticci, Chief Rizzuto, Le Castella, simeri, the Touring Villages managed by TH at le. are also involved in the project Tremiti Islands, La Maddalena e Marina di Camerota.
The protocol requires that beach operators be trained to recognize sea turtle tracks and adopt the rules to follow in the event of the presence of nests or hatchlings. They are also instructed to disseminate correct information to tourists on the most suitable behavior to avoid damaging nests and not scaring specimens in search of a secluded place.
"We are very pleased with the signing of this protocol which shows a growing attention towards nature and the environment. In recent years we have registered, in most cases, a growing interest from managers, who consider the presence of turtles an added value for their business - comments Stefano Di Marco, Project Manager of the European Life Turtlenest project, coordinated by Legambiente – 2023 was the year of records with over 450 nests recorded on the Italian coasts. This data demonstrates the urgency of creating a structured network with different actors including institutions, citizens and, of course, tourist operators for the protection of Caretta caretta".
Life Turtlenest, a project co-financed by the European Union through the LIFE program and coordinated by Legambiente, aimed at improving the conservation of the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) in Italy, Spain and France, through monitoring activities, securing nests and scientific research and information and awareness campaigns. In addition to the Legambiente coordinator, the Anton Dhorn Zoological Station participates in the European project; Ispra; La Sapienza University of Rome; University of Barcelona; BETA Technological Center (UVic-UCC); ENCI; Cest Med; Basilicata Region, Campania Region, Puglia Region, Lazio Region, Tuscany environmental protection agencies. In addition to the Italian regions bordered by the Tyrrhenian Sea (Basilicata, Puglia, Campania, Sicily, Lazio, Sardinia and Tuscany) Life Turtlenest will intervene in the French Camargue region, on the French Riviera and in Corsica and in the Spanish regions of Catalonia, Murcia, Andalusia, the Balearic Islands and Valencia.
