«Achilles» from Agios Sostis
Apart for the regular actively reproducting population of loggerhead sea turtles, Laganas bay in Zakynthos island, also hosts a number of resident turtles. These turtles are mainly mature males and juveniles. There is strong evidence that these turtles are not migratory but they reside and forage in Zakynthos all year round. "Achilles'' is one of these turtles, being an immature male who has been seen in the island every year at least since 2012. He is usually observed around Agios Sostis port actively foraging and interacting with other resident turtles. He can be recognized easily by the two old injuries that he has on his carapace.
A few weeks ago, he was observed having a fishing line and a hook attached to his left shoulder. While the hook did not pose any imminent threat to his life, unlike many other turtles who are found with shallowed hooks, it was important that it gets removed as it can have serious implications to his health later on. Thus, the next day together with Anna Lamaj, leader of ARCHELON Zakynthos project and with Giannis Potamitis of the National Marine Park of Zakynthos, we set out to find him in his usual spot. After encountering 3 other turtles, we finally found him foraging happily in the swallows. It was assessed that in order to remove the hook we had to take him ashore. With some quick movements, we grabbed him from his carapace and brought him to surface! Despite his moderate size, Achilles proved to be really fit and powerful but after a bit of struggling we managed to take him out of the water. It goes without saying that apart from cases like this, one should avoid physical contact with the turtles. We managed to remove the hook and Achilles returned back in the water, while the crowd that had been gathered, was cheering with enthusiasm.
Given Achilles' close affinity to Agios Sostis port and the fact that no commercial fishing is done is that shallow part of the bay, there is a great probability that the hook originates from some amateur fishing activity. We stress that amateur fishing is totally prohibited in the bay of Laganas while commercial fishing is strictly regulated.
for ARCHELON Zakynthos: Kostas Papafitsoros Photos: @Kostas Papafitsoros Sea Turtle Photography, @thatladywhogavethesephotos More photos of Achilles: http://goo.gl/rLplUb Information: Anna Lamaj, Zakynthos Project Coordinator, tel.: +30 6940454976
Joanne, whatʼs new at the Rescue Centre (July 2016)?
Zakynthos, hatchling season is well underway!
RECENT NEWS
- OUR NEWS17/04/2025
Special 2-week volunteering opportunity on the nesting beaches – we need you this May and June!
- OUR NEWS14/04/2025
Groundbreaking Study on Microplastic Pollution of Marine Turtle Nesting Beaches
ARCHELON took part in a recent global study that has uncovered alarming levels of microplastic contamination on marine turtle nesting beaches around the world.
- OUR NEWS09/04/2025
Become a Sea Turtle Guardian in Lakonikos Bay
Gracie and Claire, two dedicated individuals who made a significant impact on the sea turtle project of Lakonikos Bay in 2024, talked about their experience.
- OUR NEWS08/04/2025
Meeting of organizations, authorities and businessmen in Rethymno: Crete is preparing for the arrival of the turtles!
On Monday, April 7, we met for another year in the hospitable city of Rethymno to participate in the meeting organized by the Regional Unit of Rethymno on the topic of management measures for the protection of the loggerhead sea turtle!
- OUR NEWS31/03/2025
150 satellite tags for the protection of sea turtles
Since 2002, ARCHELON and its partners have placed 150 satellite and GSM tags on sea turtles monitoring their vast journeys across the Mediterranean!
- OUR NEWS24/03/2025
Become a Guardian of the Night: Volunteer with ARCHELON
On some select beaches, volunteer duties also include night patrols. During the hours when the presence of people on the nesting beaches is prohibited so as not to disturb the turtles, our trained volunteers start their shift, equipped with measuring instruments, research notebooks and red flashlights.
- OUR NEWS14/03/2025
Enriching the lives of rescued sea turtles
A recent study at ARCHELON's Sea Turtle Rescue Centre highlights the importance of environmental enrichment in improving the physical and psychological well-being of rescued sea turtles, aiding their rehabilitation and preparing them for successful release back into the wild.
- OUR NEWS24/02/2025
ARCHELON's Annual General Assembly
According to article 8 of the Statutes of ARCHELON Association, its’ members were invited to attend the Annual General Assembly on Saturday, 22 February 2025.
- OUR NEWS20/02/2025
From the ARCHELON’s Rescue Centre in Egypt!
A sea turtle, previously rehabilitated at the ARCHELON’s Rescue Centre, has once again made headlines, this time internationally. The tagged turtle was discovered weak and injured on an Egyptian beach after the recent rough seas. This incident, as reported by the Egyptian news agency, underscores the ongoing need to protect the fragile Mediterranean marine environment.
- OUR NEWS17/02/2025
ARCHELON's turtle toy travels the country with students and teachers
We would like to warmly thank all the schools that participated in the Online Tours during the 2023-2024 school year and spread the message of sea turtle protection to the ends of the country! The online tours for the current school year have already started.
- OUR NEWS12/02/2025
Online Presentation of Results 2024
Last year, 500 volunteers from all over the world came to help turtles in Greece! What did they achieve? Join us to find out!
- OUR NEWS11/02/2025
Historic Green Sea Turtle Nest Discovered on Rhodes Island, Greece
This species is globally endangered and the recent discovery is particularly significant as it suggests a possible shift in green turtle breeding areas.
- OUR NEWS04/02/2025
Joanne's Lifelong Passion: volunteering at the ARCHELON Sea Turtle Rescue Centre
Joanne's lifelong passion for sea turtles led her to volunteer at the ARCHELON Sea Turtle Rescue Centre in Greece, where she dedicates her time to educating visitors and contributing to the organization's conservation efforts.
- OUR NEWS02/02/2025
2 years of joint systematic efforts to protect Greece's largest wetland
- OUR NEWS28/01/2025
The ARCHELON Recap for 2024: We kept on fighting for Sea Turtles and the protection of the Oceans
2024 was the year that the recovery of the loggerhead sea turtle breeding population in Kyparissia Bay has been confirmed! This site now hosts the largest breeding population in the Mediterranean, which has been growing steadily in the past years thanks to the consistent long-term nest protection efforts of ARCHELON. It was also the warmest year globally on record when, on the side of our heavy core business workload, we made time to strengthen our commitment to volunteerism and sustainable tourism.