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.
Sea turtle nesting has begun in Greece: learn what to look out for!
Kyparissia Bay: Balancing Nature and Tourism
RECENT NEWS
- OUR NEWS22/06/2026
ARCHELON expresses its sorrow at the loss of Mona Khalil
- OUR NEWS19/06/2026
The world of marine megafauna: New Photo Exhibition at Agiannakis Environmental Station
The Exhibition is part of the LIFE MareNatura Project and is open to the public every Saturday 18:00 - 21:00.
- OUR NEWS16/06/2026
New data reveals that sea turtles follow much more complex migration strategies
World Sea Turtle Day is an opportunity to celebrate our achievements, but also to remember why we continue to research and protect these ancient ocean travellers.
- OUR NEWS16/06/2026
Coordinated action in Greece, Cyprus and Italy to protect sea turtles against the climate crisis
Today, June 16, the world celebrates World Sea Turtle Day. In the Mediterranean, this celebration comes at a critical turning point.
- OUR NEWS15/06/2026
Turtle Festival: Diving into Deep Waters at ARCHELON’s Sea Turtle Rescue Centre!
On the occasion of World Sea Turtle Day (June 16), last Saturday the ARCHELON Sea Turtle Rescue Centre opened its doors to the public for this year’s Turtle Festival, themed “Into Deep Waters.”
- OUR NEWS09/06/2026
Celebrating World Environment Day with Sea Turtles in Rethymno
Last Friday, ARCHELON's team in Rethymno took part in a special awareness-raising event, co-organized by the Municipality and the 2nd Experimental Primary School of Rethymno.
- OUR NEWS02/06/2026
Clean beaches, safe turtles: Our guide to responsible action
See some simple but crucial rules that must be followed for clean nesting beaches!
- OUR NEWS29/05/2026
Eight Hotels in northern Crete Receive “Turtle-Friendly” Certification from the TUI Care Foundation.
The eight hotel establishments in Northern Crete are among the first businesses worldwide to receive the new “Turtle-Friendly” certification from the TUI Care Foundation, developed in collaboration with ARCHELON. This distinction recognizes their commitment to protecting the nesting beaches of the loggerhead sea turtle and highlights the importance of cooperation between the tourism sector and nature conservation initiatives.
- OUR NEWS25/05/2026
Greek beaches stand out with 624 "Blue Flags"
On May 14th we met at Paleo Faliro for the official announcement of the 2026 awards of the International Blue Flag Program, organized by the Hellenic Society for the Protection of Nature.
- OUR NEWS18/05/2026
The nesting season has started in Greece: The first sea turtle nests for 2026 are spotted!
The first nests of the loggerhead sea turtle for 2026 have been found in Kyparissia Bay and in Zakynthos.
- OUR NEWS07/05/2026
ARCHELON’s Sea Turtle Tours presented in a Japanese Seminar for Sustainable Tourism
ur Sea Turtle Tours recently featured as a highlight in the Sustainable Tourism International Talk Sessions, organized by the Japan Alliance of Responsible Travel Agencies.
- OUR NEWS04/05/2026
Kids Turtle Festival 2026 "In Deep Water"
The ARCHELON Sea Turtle Rescue Centre opens its doors on World Turtle Day, June 13, and invites young and old to this year’s Kids Turtle Festival 2026 “In Deep Water”.
- OUR NEWS30/04/2026
Sea Turtle Beach Walk in Crete: A unique eco-tourism experience
The Sea Turtle Beach Walk is an organized activity that allows participants to get to know the natural environment of the sea turtle nesting site up close. Book your place now!
- OUR NEWS18/04/2026
How a sea turtle illuminated the unknown paths of the Aegean
Helen Jane was not just another dead sea turtle found on the Greek coastline. For ARCHELON researchers, she was a living beacon of information
- OUR NEWS17/04/2026
Is it Really 1 in 1,000? New Science Challenges the Iconic Sea Turtle Statistic
For decades, one quote has defined the struggle of sea turtle conservation: 1 in 1,000. This statistical information suggests that for every thousand hatchlings that enter the sea, only one will survive the long journey to adulthood.