The Minister of Agriculture and Natural Resources Dursun Oğuz visited the main station of the North Cyprus Society for the Protection of Turtles in the Alagadi Environmental Protection Area on Monday where he met with the employees of the society.

During the visit, which took place on May 23, World Turtle Day, Minister Oğuz gave information about the marine protected areas created within the scope of the “Fishing Permits and Sustainable Use of Fishing Resources Regulation”.

Oğuz explained that with the Fishing Permits and Sustainable Use of Fishing Resources Regulation, which came into force within the framework of the Fisheries Law last week, six marine protected areas were declared in the country for the first time, in addition to the protected areas created on land.

He said that the move will contribute to the protection of turtles and other marine species, helping increase populations, expanding habitats and prepare the ground for sustainable fishing.

Oğuz added that the declaration of the maritime protection areas were part of a wider attempt to protect and preserve natural habitats and marine populations.

The minister also called on the public to have a stronger awareness and sensitivity towards protecting the environment.