Green and Loggerhead turtles nest on Episkopi area beaches in the British Sovereign Base Area of Cyprus ("SBA"). Both are endangered species. Recent estimates suggest that only 600 adult female Green turtles and 6000 adult female Loggerhead turtles remain in the Mediterranean. In 2008 twenty one dead turtles were found on Episkopi beaches. So far in 2009 twenty five turtle bodies have been found. More than half of the dead were Green turtles. Most died as a consequence of fishing activity. In the Republic of Cyprus special protection is given to the coastal waters adjacent to nesting beaches. The SBA waters adjacent to nesting beaches are given no such protection. The Chief Administrator of the SBA does have the power to grant protection in order to safeguard marine life and has been formally requested to use this power on several occasions. On each occasion he has declined our request. Please show him that you care about this issue to by signing this petition. Thank you. We call upon the Sovereign Base Area Administration authorities (Cyprus) to take immediate effective action to halt the illegal killing of marine turtles in Sovereign Base Area waters.

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