Citizen Science: Recording of Sporadic Nesting of Sea turtles across the Aegean
Every summer ARCHELON covers in total almost 100 km of beach in Greece, with organized daily action, recording and protecting Loggerhead nests. But we cannot be everywhere! For over four decades, many people have been participating in an extraordinary action, reporting turtle sightings and tracks across the Greek coastline. We are grateful to all of you who responded to our call all these years.
Whether it was a turtle emerging to nest, some tiny hatchlings making their way to the sea, or just the characteristic tracks left on the sand, every report helped build a bigger picture of sea turtle activity in the Aegean Sea. In the early days, reports came in through handwritten notes and phone calls. Today, with a dedicated online platform and even social media, your contributions are easier than ever to share—and more important than ever.
What We Learned Together
Thanks to your interest, we have confirmed 577 unique nesting events outside our regularly monitored areas—an incredible testament to citizen power in conservation.
- Crete topped the list with 309 nesting events, likely due to warmer southern waters!
- Nesting was also reported as far north as Lesvos, Magnesia, Halkidiki, and even some non-nesting emergences in Samothraki and Limnos!
- Every confirmed sighting was supported by photographs, helping us verify the species—all Loggerhead (Caretta caretta) turtles!
- In many cases, you did not just report nests—you protected them following the instructions provided on your website as well as on the calendar ARCHELON sends every year to all Port Authorities.
Why This Matters
Most loggerheads always return to nest to the same beach they were born. However, some females during their travels make nests on beaches that are unknown to us. These sporadic nets can be found in any suitable beach in the southern Aegean (south of 39°N) and your eyes on the ground help us find them. Your reports have helped identify new nesting hotspots, and are expected to give insights of the adaptation of the species to climate change in the Mediterranean.
Beyond the practical value of citizen science, we understand this is more than just data—it is a story of thousands of people who care for nature on our planet. Your passion, curiosity, and quick thinking have helped protect one of the Mediterranean’s most iconic species. Read the recently published results by ARCHELON here.
Thank You. Keep watching, keep reporting, and keep protecting. If you find a nesting turtle, tracks or hatchlings fill in our Registration Form.
We can all live together! This is our motto since 1983!
RECENT NEWS
- OUR NEWS01/07/2025
Satellite Tagging Completed and Captured on Film in Crete
ARCHELON has just successfully completed the 2025 deployment of satellite transmitters on Loggerhead Sea Turtles (Caretta caretta) in Crete, as part of the ongoing LIFE MareNatura Project. This year’s work in Crete was extra special: the LIFE MareNatura Documentary team joined us in the field!
- OUR NEWS23/06/2025
Enjoy the Beaches Responsibly: Together We Protect the Sea Turtles of Kyparissia Bay!
So far, more than 2,000 nests have been recorded in the area. In order to best manage the protected beaches, we have adapted our field work protocols.
- OUR NEWS16/06/2025
World Sea Turtle Day: We can all live together!
Today, June 16th, we celebrate World Sea Turtle Day. On this occasion, ARCHELON expresses its warmest thanks to all citizens, volunteers, donors and supporters who actively contribute to our work.
- OUR NEWS10/06/2025
New Adaptation Strategies for Sea Turtles and Mediterranean Monk Seals
Institutions, associations and researchers will work for 5 years alongside the coastal communities to evaluate and respond to the effects of rising sea levels and ocean warming. These are to be developed through the ‘LIDE ADAPTS’ project which is being carried out in Italy, Greece and Cyprus.
- OUR NEWS08/06/2025
World Oceans Day: Conservation and Anthropogenic “Wounds” in Laganas Bay, Zakynthos
On the occasion of World Oceans Day, ARCHELON brings to the fore the challenges facing Laganas Bay, Zakynthos - one of the most important refuges of the loggerhead sea turtle in the Mediterranean.
- OUR NEWS06/06/2025
Sekania: History of the most precious refuge for the Loggerhead in Zakynthos
Sekania, a secluded 600-meter-long beach in Zakynthos, is a global model of success in biodiversity conservation, with more than 24,000 sea turtle nests recorded over the last 40 years.
- OUR NEWS05/06/2025
World Environment Day: Keeping Sea Turtle Nesting Beaches Safe from Plastics and Bulldozers
On June 5th, we celebrate World Environment Day, a day established by the United Nations in 1972. This year’s theme is #BeatPlasticPollution, and ARCHELON is calling for action on the sea turtle nesting beaches.
- OUR NEWS02/06/2025
Sea Turtles Return to Crete: A Shared Victory for Nature and Sustainable Travel
ARCHELON volunteers have just located the first sea turtle nests of the season on the beaches of Rethymno, Messara, and Chania. Now the challenge to prove that tourism destinations on Crete can make a significant move towards sustainability is on again.
- OUR NEWS29/05/2025
Amvrakikos Project 2025: Special Call for a Field Leader
ARCHELON is looking for a highly motivated person to lead its project in Amvrakikos Gulf, one of the few foraging sites for loggerhead turtles in Greece linking several populations nesting across the Mediterranean region.
- 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.