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Ever since JUNE HAIMOFF settled in Dalyan in 1984, she has strived to
protect Iztuzu Beach and its sea turtle nesting places. Her campaign to
save this Caretta caretta breeding site from exploitation for mass
tourism in the mid 1980's was given considerable media attention by
fellow-environmentalist Professor Sir David Bellamy. Consequently, an
environmental effects survey was carried out , resulting in the
declaration of the Köyceğiz-Dalyan Special Environmental Protection Area
by the Decree of the Cabinet of Ministers number 88/13019 dated
12.06.1988).
June has had a long-held
ambition to create a foundation to endure the welfare of the beach and
its loggerhead sea turtles. The Turkish Government requires an asset of
50,000 TL ( approx. £22,000) to allow the establishment of such a
registered charity. Thanks to generous benefactors and a gift from TUI
AG, the Foundation has become a registered entity.
The first official step
on the way was to sign the foundation's constitution. Therefore June
Haimoff and her fellow-founders Yakup Kaska, Bahar (Heike) Suseven,
Yasemin Pakyürek and Abidin Kurt saw the notary in Denizli on 11
November 2010. This was the first official and therefore emotional step
in establishing the long-fought-for Kaptan June Sea Turtle Conservation
Foundation. More detailed information of this extraordinary event can be
found on the EVENTS page.
On 24 February 2011, the
Foundation was given the GREEN LIGHT by Turkish court and after
publication in the Resmi Gazete on April 9th now has the official status
of a Vakıf, a government approved entity.
The Kaptan June Sea
Turtle Conservation Foundation will be an enduring facility for raising
revenue to protect the sea turtles and their habitats, support other
environmental causes, and enable young Turkish people to attend
University and study Environmental Sciences.
The Kaptan June Sea
Turtle Conservation Foundation will work in cooperation with
DEKAMER, the Sea Turtle Research, Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre at
Iztuzu Beach, which is managed by the Biology Department of Pamukkale
University and other environmentally engaged entities.
If you would like to be
involved in this worthwhile project, please contact
- June Haimoff at
kaptanjune@gmail.com or
- Susan Taylor at
smariont@yahoo.com.au.
If you would like to give a donation,
please contact Susan
Taylor.
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