Advancing sea turtle photo-ID research with artificial intelligence
For long time now, sea turtle researchers have been exploiting the unique scale pattern of sea turtle individuals to identify them from images and study several aspects of their ecology and biology. These patterns are unique to every individual and stay stable in time (like human fingerprints!). The process, called sea turtle photo-identification (photo-ID), is nowadays used in projects all over the world and examples of studies facilitated by it include in-water behaviour studies, occurrence of injuries, progress of diseases, population monitoring and measuring ecotouristic impact on individual turtles.
The way sea turtle photo-ID is traditionally done is via comparing the facial geometric scale patterns of the same sides of turtles’ heads. This is because these are different from side to side on any individual sea turtle. Therefore, any new image showing the profile of an individual (left or right) is only compared to images of previously identified individuals showing the same side (left or right).
A recent study used artificial intelligence to push the boundaries of the method. The study was led by Kostas Papafitsoros, long term member and researcher of ARCHELON and Lukáš Adam, a researcher from Czech Republic who had also been volunteer in ARCHELON Zakynthos project. ARCHELON’s scientific committee member, ALan F. Rees, also participated in the study.
One of the main findings was that the similarity of left and right profiles of the same turtle is higher than the similarities of profiles of different turtles.
Try to verify that yourself! Can you match the left side of "Viktoria" with her right side?
The same study showed that artificial intelligence algorithms, including one previously developed by the team, can detect this left-right similarity in three sea turtle species. The algorithms can match left and right profiles of the same individual sea turtles which have otherwise no spatial overlap. This results in higher photo-ID matching accuracies and in the future, it might be sufficient to photograph only one side of a turtle’s face when collecting photo-ID data, allowing for more flexible data collection protocols.
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RECENT NEWS
- OUR NEWS09/03/2026
The Annual General Assembly of the Association
ARCHELON's Members were invited to attend the Annual General Assembly on Saturday, February 28 at the Sea Turtle Rescue Centre.
- OUR NEWS03/03/2026
Join us for the Online Presentation of 2025 Results!
On Monday, March 23rd, we have the chance to meet again online and share what we accomplished together in the past year.
- OUR NEWS03/03/2026
A Digital Adventure for Your Class with ARCHELON
Through a live connection with the Centre, students learn about the turtles’ rescue stories and discover how everyday human activities can negatively impact marine ecosystems.
- OUR NEWS24/02/2026
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When we analyzed the turtles’ codes, we realized that this was a turtle that had been tagged for the first time in the area 32 years ago! Specifically, turtle P4849 was tagged on July 7, 1993 and today is the turtle with the longest documented reproductive lifespan in Kyparissia Bay!
- OUR NEWS18/02/2026
"The Mediterranean We Protect" ARCHELON Presented the 2025 Results and the New LIFE MareNatura Exhibition
The presentation of our Accounts for 2025 was held with great success on Saturday, February 14th in Glyfada, honoring the people who are on the front lines for the protection of the Mediterranean.
- OUR NEWS11/02/2026
ARCHELON in the Lakonikos Bay: Nature, Research, Volunteering
The year 2025 was a milestone: a total of 1,253 nests were recorded and protected, while 7 female turtles were equipped with satellite transmitters, sending valuable data about their journeys across the Mediterranean.
- OUR NEWS23/01/2026
A turtle we treated 10 years ago was found in Spain!
“Castello” is a male Loggerhead turtle that was treated at our Rescue Centre in 2015. In 2025 he was found again at a Rescue Centre in Spain!
- OUR NEWS02/01/2026
Against All Odds: A Story of Marine Resilience from Amvrakikos Gulf
One turtle has been surviving for at least six years without a lower jaw!
- OUR NEWS29/12/2025
“Meetings with Remarkable Animals” A Heartwarming Reward for Our Efforts
Kristi Stassinopoulou shared with us a very personal moment: a sketch and a few pages from her book “Meetings with Remarkable Animals"
- OUR NEWS17/12/2025
ARCHELON’s Research: Expanding the Map of Mediterranean Green Turtles
In recent years, some green turtle nests have been recorded in Greece, indicating that the geographical spread of this species’ nesting areas in the Mediterranean is beginning to expand.
- OUR NEWS12/12/2025
The Power Behind Sea Turtle Conservation: Our 2025 Field Leaders
With deep gratitude, we honor all the Field Leaders who contributed to the success of the 2025 Field Projects.
- OUR NEWS10/12/2025
Unprecedented appearance of Leatherback Turtle on a Mediterranean beach
A new scientific record brings to light an extremely rare event for the marine life of the Mediterranean: the first confirmed appearance of an adult Leatherback Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) attempting to nest in the Mediterranean basin.
- OUR NEWS08/12/2025
Applications Now Open for 2026 ARCHELON Field Leaders Posts!
ARCHELON is pleased to announce that applications are now open for the 2026 Field Leader positions across all nesting projects (applications open until January 31st).
- OUR NEWS05/12/2025
Saving Sea Turtles Together – A Tribute to Volunteers
On Volunteer Day, we take a moment to celebrate all those who came from near and far, put on the blue T-shirt, and embraced this important responsibility.
- OUR NEWS01/12/2025
Laganas Bay, Zakynthos: Successful Loggerhead Reproduction, Ongoing Habitat Problems
On the beaches of the Zakynthos National Marine Park, around 2,155 turtle nests successfully hatched thanks to active protection measures, but human pressures on coastal and marine habitats continue.