ARCHELON meets with the loggerheads while taking up special protection against COVID19
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
Sea turtles return to nest on the beaches of Crete
Ηow important is it to protect adult sea turtles in the Med?
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.