Newsletters
World record-holding national freediver Sahika Ercumen carried out a dive alongside sea turtles in the Cayagzi area of Antalya's Demre district, using the experience to draw attention to the effects of plastic pollution, boat traffic and human interference on marine life.
Ercumen, who also serves as a zero-waste ambassador and as the United Nations Development Programme's Guardian of Life Underwater in Türkiye, has continued to pair her sporting career with awareness efforts focused on protecting the seas and underwater ecosystems.
During the dive, she explained that a sea turtle's struggle for survival begins before it even hatches, noting that beach furniture such as sun loungers and artificial lighting near shorelines, particularly in protected zones, can disorient turtles and interfere with where they choose to lay their eggs.
She described how newly hatched turtles continue to face serious risks once they enter the water, pointing specifically to fast-moving boats, which she said are capable of inflicting severe injuries on the animals.
The diver recounted that she has observed propeller scars on numerous sea turtles she has encountered while diving, evidence she linked directly to the dangers posed by heavy boat traffic in coastal waters.
She also highlighted the threat posed by plastic waste, explaining that discarded items such as plastic bags are often mistaken by sea turtles for jellyfish, leading the animals to ingest the material, which can fatally obstruct their digestive systems.
Addressing common misconceptions, Ercumen said that sea turtles do not have an instinct to attack humans, but that behaviors resembling aggression, such as jaw movements, typically occur when turtles that have previously been fed approach people expecting food and do not receive any.
For this reason, Ercumen emphasized that people should avoid feeding sea turtles altogether and refrain from any direct interference with the animals in their natural habitat.
Among the turtles that accompanied her during the dive was a green sea turtle known locally as "Mahmut," an animal regularly encountered by Sercan Demirkaya, a freediver who has been active in the area for around five years.
She described the bond between Demirkaya and the turtle as unusually close, noting that the animal swims alongside him, mirrors his breathing, and descends underwater together with him, a level of trust she attributed in part to responsible practices by divers in the region.
She characterized the dive as a particularly meaningful experience, explaining that when marine habitats are approached without causing harm, humans and sea turtles are able to interact in a natural and harmonious way.
Ercumen concluded her remarks by framing the protection of sea turtle habitats as part of a broader responsibility to safeguard shared natural environments, describing the ocean and its inhabitants as part of a home that belongs to everyone.
Set as preferred source
1 min read
