what can i do ?

Nesting beaches of sea turtles are often attractive recreational areas for humans.

Can nature conservation and tourism be reconcile ? Yes, if everyone abided by a few simple rules.
Basically: during the day the beach belongs to humans and at night and it should be left to the turtles. (Video information)

behavior at the nesting area

Avoid going on the beach at night!

The female turtles are very easily disturbed and then return to the sea without digging a nest. The small hatchlings are very difficult to see at night and can be trampled.

Don't use lights on the beach and avoid making fires!

Loud music should also be avoided because it could cause the adult turtles to turn back to the sea. The young emerging hatchlings orient themselves according to light, i.e. the reflecting moonlight on the water. Artificial lights confuse them, causing them to wander in the wrong directions and dry out or die of exhaustion.

Don't leave any garbage on the beach!

In the ocean, sea turtles confuse plastic bags with jellyfish, which they normally eat. They then either suffocate or starve to death. Garbage on the beach can also trap hatchlings. Taking garbage to the trash bin - even if it isn't your own - is a good deed guaranteed to make you feel good. Try it!

Do not insert poles or similar objects (beach umbrellas) into the sand!

They can penetrate nests and destroy eggs. Don't drive vehicles on the beach. They can crush the eggs in the nest or compress the sand, making it difficult for hatchlings to emerge

Do not use motorboats or jet-skis near sea turtle nesting beaches!

The turtles spend the day in shallower waters along the shore and must repeatedly come up to the surface to breath air. They are often seriously injured or killed by such water vehicles.

Don't touch the turtles (adults or hatchlings)!

The energy the turtle invests to dig a nest is huge. Interruptions can force Caretta caretta to abort the nesting process and this means the clutch is lost. Hatchlings should not be touched or brought into the sea.

protection efforts

During the day, sunbed are positioned close to the sea to avoid nest shading

Stony barriers help to prevent cars from entering the beach

Sunbedss are placed at the upper end of the beach at night to offer sea turtles a barrier-free beach

New information boards were installed at the beach to create awareness for the situation of Caretta caretta in Calis

New and bigger rubbish bins were installed

Ditches were dug to keep cars from driving on the beach

possible penalties

Do not buy sea turtles shells or any similar souvenirs. Your country is no doubt a member of the Convention on the Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). The fines for attempting to import such articles across the border are very stiff (currently around € 1500) and all such items will be confiscated. If you have questions, contact your Environmental Ministry or responsible agency.