The event was held on 26 September at the Home of Culture in the old town of Rethymno by mayor, mr. Giorgos Marinakis, who during his speech stressed environmental protection as a tool for tourist development in Crete. Also, he mentioned with great warmth the dedication of ARCHELON’s volunteers, their persistence on protecting and saving the Caretta caretta sea turtle throughout the year as well as informing locals and visitors.

The award was offered to the ARCHELON Crete Program Coordinator ms. Nikolopoulou Athanasia, whom in her speech presented the results of protecting the nesting beaches of Rethymno in 2017 and emphasized that the presence of such a rare species on the island of Crete, specifically in Rethymno which is the 3rd largest nesting area in Greece, may be a challenging advantage for tourism on the island.

A well-coordinated effort on protecting the nesting beaches from businesses and locals, tourists in cooperation with local agents can only lead to the conservation of sea turtle species and its habitats.

Applying protection measures on the nesting beaches of the island and developing the coastal natural wealth, can lead to sustainability of the beaches and possibilities for tourist development, which will support, protect and benefit the biodiversity, economy, local community and the visitors of the area.

ARCHELON would like to thank the Municipality of Rethymno, especially the Office of Tourism and Culture and the Hoteliers Society for their continuous cooperation that led to this honor, and wishes that every year of sea turtle protection with help expand sustainable tourist development and the coexistence of man and the natural environment he is inextricably connected to.

Information:

Nikolopoulou Athanasia, Crete Program Coordinator, tel. +30 6937352379 fb: ARCHELON Crete, ARCHELON, the official page