The 2025 field season for ARCHELON's Amvrakikos project has officially come to a close! After 57 days of dedicated surveying in the Amvrakikos Gulf, our team has wrapped up another successful year of vital conservation work. This marks two decades of protecting this important sea turtle habitat.

The Amvrakikos Gulf is a globally significant ecosystem, recognized as a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention. It's a crucial refuge for endangered species like the bottlenose dolphin and Dalmatian pelican, and as our work confirms, it's a vital feeding and wintering ground for loggerhead and green sea turtles.

ARCHELON's efforts are part of a broader, collaborative vision for the region. Since 2023, we have been a dedicated member of the Amvrakikos Alliance, a network of conservation organizations and institutions united by a common goal: the effective management and protection of the Amvrakikos National Wetland Park. The Alliance works to highlight the unique ecological value of the Gulf through scientific research, local community engagement, and promoting effective, sustainable management practices.

Record-Breaking Captures and Remarkable Recaptures

This year's efforts yielded a total of 385 captures, including an impressive 384 loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) and a rare green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas). The team successfully identified 242 individuals. From these, 143 in-season recaptures provided valuable insights into how these turtles move and their fidelity to the area.

One of the season’s most significant achievements was the documentation of five impressive long-term recaptures. Four of these turtles were first tagged in 2013, making this their twelfth year of observation. Even more remarkable, one individual observed this summer, was last seen 14 years ago in 2011.”This is a powerful reminder of how long-term monitoring is crucial for understanding these incredible animals” says Aliki Panagopoulou, Research Coordinator of ARCHELON.

A Rare Encounter and a Life Saved

The season also brought some particularly memorable moments. On August 28th, the team was thrilled to record only the fourth green sea turtle ever captured in Amvrakikos. This individual was in excellent health and showed no signs of algae or other attached organisms, offering valuable information about this endangered species' occasional presence in the Gulf.

Not all encounters were routine, however. On August 1st, the team found a loggerhead turtle motionless on the seabed. Thanks to their quick thinking, the turtle, named 'Brioche' was rescued and transported to the port of Koprena before being taken to ARCHELON's Rescue Centre in Glyfada, Attica. X-rays revealed she had ingested a large hook. Brioche is still receiving treatment, and her rescue highlights the ongoing threats sea turtles face and the critical importance of a rapid response network.

Looking Ahead

While no turtles captured this season were found to have satellite transmitters, the data collected is immense. The wealth of information, from new identifications to long-term recaptures, adds significantly to our understanding of the Amvrakikos turtle population and their conservation needs.

“The 2025 fieldwork was successfully led by Jimenez Arias Santiago and Lopez Lozano Luisa Fernanda, who, along with our incredible team of volunteers ensured another productive season of research and conservation”, says Thanos Michailidis, the Project manager of ARCHELON for Amvrakikos. “We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone involved and are excited to continue this important work in the years to come!”.