The Department of Fisheries and Marine Research (DFMR) has issued a rebuke of municipal workers filmed mistreating a sea turtle carcass, labelling the incident “unprecedented and reprehensible” in an official statement on Wednesday.
The intervention follows the circulation of a video from Chlorakas that sparked a criminal probe into four local council employees. Although forensic experts determined the turtle had died at least two days prior to the incident, the DFMR stressed that the physical handling of the remains—as captured in the audiovisual material—violated every established protocol for the management of protected species.
Protocols for injured and deceased wildlife
In response to the public outcry, the Ministry of Agriculture has reissued its standing emergency procedures. The department clarified that while local municipalities hold the legal responsibility for the collection and burial of deceased sea turtles, they must act only after notification and under the guidance of the DFMR.
The official protocol dictates a split response based on the animal’s condition:
- Injured or ill turtles: These must be transported exclusively by DFMR personnel or authorised agents to the Sea Turtle Rescue Centre at the Cyprus Marine Aquaculture Research Centre (CyMARC) in Meneou.
- Deceased turtles: Local authorities are responsible for burial or incineration. However, the DFMR frequently intervenes to collect carcasses for scientific analysis, including DNA sampling and stomach content investigations to monitor population health.
Legal protections and public reporting
The department reminded the public that sea turtles have been strictly protected under Cypriot law since 1971, with further safeguards added through the EU Habitats Directive and the Barcelona Convention. Under the Protection and Management of Nature and Wildlife Law of 2003, the intentional harassment, capture, or possession of these species—dead or alive—is a criminal offence.
To prevent future incidents, the DFMR has published a directory of emergency contact numbers for all districts, including out-of-hours service for weekends:
| District | Office Hours (07:30–15:00) | After Hours / Weekends |
| Larnaca | 24304294 | 99 48 96 45 |
| Limassol | 25306800 | 99 48 96 51 |
| Paphos | 26 821 680 | 99 48 96 42 |
| Famagusta | 23834172 | 99 48 96 43 |
Citizens who encounter sea turtles are encouraged to submit data, including shell dimensions and photographs, via the Cy-FIS mobile application or through official social media channels to assist in the national population database.
While the DFMR expressed hope that the Chlorakas event remains an “isolated incident,” the department confirmed it is cooperating fully with the Animal Police to ensure the workers are held accountable for the public disturbance and the breach of environmental standards.
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