The members of the currently small ARCHELON teams in Zakynthos and Kyparissia bay are "turtlers" with several years of experience and relevant studies. Their participation helped the project overcome the effects of travel restrictions from abroad due to coronavirus and the forced cancellation of the participation of several volunteers. The teams will be gradually enforced by more researchers / volunteers, while continuing to protect themselves and others from COVID19 in the base camp and during their activities. We maintain the appropriate social distances, take special hygiene measures, use special trash cans etc.

As the nesting season progresses, we are reminded that in these two areas, Greece has taken up environmental protection measures for keeping nature intact in the coastal zone behind the turtle nesting beaches. The National Marine Park of Zakynthos was established in 1999 and the Nature Protection Area of Kyparissia was established in 2018. In all sea turtles nesting habitats in Greece there are legal provisions for their conservation, when granting permits for the use of the beach.

Undoubtedly there has been progress on many issues in recent years, but there have also been gaps in the effective implementation of coastal and maritime protection provisions. From time to time there have been reports of illegal constructions, illegal road openings, illegal motocross races, violations of the speed limit of boats, violations of beach furniture numbers and these reports were brought to the attention of the competent authorities.

As in all species, the future of sea turtle, depends, amongst other things, on the success of their reproduction. The reproduction activity of sea turtles in Greece is recorded by ARCHELON. From all the hatchlings that will reach the sea, a very small percentage, less than 1: 1000, will survive to adulthood and if it is female, it will return after 15-20 years to lay its eggs in the area where it hatched!

"We can live together", people and turtles, has been the central message of ARCHELON for 37 years and remains relevant. Do you want to help? We remind you of the online submission of an application for volunteer participation in the actions of ARCHELON at www.archelon.gr!

Photos

1. Morning observation in the gulf of Laganas, Zakynthos, by Galini Samlidou

2. The beach in Vounaki, Kyparissia, by Giannis Chalkias

More information

ARCHELON Program of Zakynthos: Nikoleta Sidiropoulou, tel. 6982766371

ARCHELON Program of the Western Peloponnese: Giannis Chalkias, tel. 6932285817