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 NEWS22/05/2025
Sea turtle nesting has begun in Greece: learn what to look out for!
The first nests for 2025 have already been located and protected at Laganas beach in Zakynthos, Elaia beach in Kyparissia Bay and Pachia Ammos beach in Messara Bay in Crete!
- OUR NEWS16/05/2025
Advancing sea turtle photo-ID research with artificial intelligence
Sea turtle facial scales remain stable throughout a turtle’s life allowing researchers to recognise individuals from photos, often taken over decades!
- OUR NEWS15/05/2025
Kyparissia Bay: Balancing Nature and Tourism
Αs the popularity of the protected area increases and pressures from tourism and climate change intensify, the question that arises is: How many people can this beach “bear” without degrading the environment?
- OUR NEWS07/05/2025
Discover the secret nature of Crete: Sea Turtle Beach Walk with ARCHELON
Live a unique ecotourism experience in Crete by participating in ARCHELON Sea Turtle Beach Walks on the nesting beaches of the Loggerhead, starting on May 15th in Chania and Rethymno. Now open for reservations on our website!
- OUR NEWS24/04/2025
Are You Over 50? The Sea Turtles Need You!
If you’re 50 or older and ready to dive into a unique conservation experience, we warmly invite you to join us. Help protect sea turtles, meet like-minded people, and discover the natural beauty of Greece with ARCHELON by your side.
- OUR NEWS22/04/2025
Turning the Tide: Sea Turtle Populations Show Signs of Recovery Worldwide
The first, after a decade, global study brings encouraging news for sea turtle conservation: more than half of their populations across the globe show signs of recovery. Listed among the authors is the Research Coordinator of ARCHELON, Aliki Panagopoulou PhD, who is mobilizing the long term field work of our Society on the nesting beaches of Greece.
- 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.