A rare and hopeful event for Tunisian biodiversity recently took place on the beach of a hotel in the tourist area of Kantaoui, in the governorate of Sousse: a sea turtle nest was discovered and successfully monitored, allowing 132 hatchlings to reach their natural habitat in the Mediterranean Sea.
The announcement was made by Olfa Chaïeb, researcher at the National Institute of Marine Sciences and Technologies (INSTM) and national coordinator of the sea turtle hatching monitoring program in Tunisia.
It was a hotel staff member who raised the alert after noticing signs of hatching, prompting a rapid response from specialists.
According to the researcher, around 140 eggs were laid in a nest about 50 centimeters deep, likely between May and July, the usual nesting period for these marine reptiles. Of these, 132 turtles managed to emerge and make their way to the sea in several successive waves. Only a few losses were reported—a survival rate deemed highly satisfactory by biologists.
Sea turtles, particularly loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta), are very selective when choosing nesting sites: they favor quiet, clean, low-traffic beaches with high-quality sand. The presence of such a nest in Kantaoui is a sign that the coastal ecosystem remains relatively preserved despite tourism-related urbanization.
The coastline of the Sousse governorate includes several known nesting areas, notably Meftah, Essalloum, Chott Meriem, Kantaoui, and Hergla. The national sea turtle monitoring program, led by INSTM, regularly conducts surveillance and awareness-raising efforts in these zones.
The institute urges vigilance and shared responsibility. Citizens, tourists, and tourism professionals are encouraged to report any signs of nests or hatchings found on Tunisian beaches.
This kind of cooperation is vital for the protection of this endangered species—listed on the IUCN Red List—and contributes to preserving the country’s natural heritage.
