07.05.2026 09:11
The lighting on a 1-kilometer beach in Antalya's Manavgat district was replaced with red LED fixtures to help sea turtles navigate.
In Side Neighborhood, one of the most intensive nesting areas for sea turtles in Manavgat, the lighting poles on the approximately 1-kilometer-long Great Beach have been equipped with red LED fixtures. The application, implemented to help sea turtles navigate, was spearheaded by Akdeniz Elektrik Dağıtım A.Ş. (AEDAŞ) and the Coastal Protection Association (DEKAFOK).
ECOLOGICAL BALANCE WAS CONSIDERED
The project was designed taking into account road and area lighting standards, special permits from relevant public institutions, and traffic safety and driving security criteria. A model was created that demonstrates how both transportation safety in the region can be maintained and an ecologically balanced lighting system can be installed, allowing nature and human life to coexist harmoniously.
"WE ARE TAKING AN IMPORTANT STEP IN FULFILLING OUR RESPONSIBILITY TOWARDS NATURE"
Muhammed Yahya Sancar, AEDAŞ Manavgat Regional Manager, said, "In our work, we collaborate and carry out various efforts to fulfill our responsibility towards nature. In this collaboration with DEKAFOK, we developed a red LED conversion project for the street lighting on approximately 1 kilometer of the coastal strip to prevent the disruption of the natural orientation of caretta carettas. As a result, we aim for the caretta carettas not to lose their natural direction and to reach the sea more easily. Thus, we are taking an important step in fulfilling our responsibility towards nature. During this work, we obtained necessary permissions and approval from law enforcement for human and driving safety."
Sancar also noted that LED lights are more cost-effective compared to normal bulbs, adding, "We plan to continue our work on caretta caretta nesting areas in collaboration with DEKAFOK."