A first in the Sea of Marmara: Caretta caretta spotted underwater

Ulaş Kocabaş, a professional human resources manager living in Istanbul, has been spearfishing as a hobby for about 15 years. While diving off the coast of Tuzla yesterday afternoon, Kocabaş encountered a rare loggerhead sea turtle in the Sea of Marmara. The loggerhead sea turtle, protected in Turkey and typically found in the Mediterranean region, was surprisingly captured underwater in the Sea of Marmara. The sea turtle, which appeared to be in excellent health, briefly appeared on camera before quickly disappearing.

"I think I'm the first to see it live."

Ulaş Kocabaş said, "Yesterday, while diving off the coast of Tuzla, Istanbul, around noon, I was fortunate enough to encounter a loggerhead sea turtle, a species we'd never seen before and one protected in our country. I filmed it underwater. Normally, loggerhead sea turtles aren't seen in the Marmara Sea; until now, they've only been seen washed ashore or caught in nets. However, I believe I'm the first to capture one alive underwater."

Kocabaş, emphasizing the health of the loggerhead sea turtle, said, "We know that with warming waters, Mediterranean waters are entering the Marmara Sea via undercurrents. We also believe that the oxygen level in our region has increased following the cleanup efforts and mucilage control efforts in the Gulf of İzmit. Our spearfishers have occasionally recorded species like dusky groupers, dentex, corals, and octopus here. However, I believe I'm the first to have seen a loggerhead sea turtle underwater. Thanks to the dense mussel population in the region, it seems to be feeding well, and from the video, it appears to be in good health."

Reporter: News Center