Abstract

This study was conducted to identify the turtles and their frequency of visiting at the Çamlıbel Fishing Shelter in Mersin Bay (northeastern Mediterranean) between October 2023 and January 2024. During this period, green sea turtle Chelonia mydas, typically herbivorous, were observed feeding on bycatch species discarded from fishing nets and fish waste from restaurant boats for the first time. The change in feeding behavior of green sea turtles introduced to the area was confirmed through visual recordings and interviews with restaurant staff and fisherman. The study also reported the arrival of the loggerhead sea turtle Caretta caretta and the Nile softshell turtle Trionyx triunguis in the area. Habitat destruction in Mersin Bay, caused by anthropogenic factors such as intensive fisheries and tourism activities, has prompted sea turtles to adopt opportunistic feeding strategies, potentially disrupting their ecological balance and survival. This shift highlights the adaptability of green sea turtles to environmental changes and underscores the need to monitor how human impacts affect the feeding and migration of sea turtles to improve conservation efforts.

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