Concerning Decrease Of The Nest Numbers In Zakynthos This Year
Continuous disturbances 17 years after the foundation of the National Marine Park
It is well known that Zakynthos has been hosting the highest number of reproductive Caretta caretta females in the Mediterranean with an average of 1200 nests yearly. Although it is also well known that the sea turtles’ nesting numbers have a huge variance every year, this year’s low number creates big concerns. This number is becoming more concerning because on one hand the long term tendency is showing a decrease of the population and on the other hand because there continues to be problems that seriously disturb the sea turtles, especially in the marine area of Laganas bay.
For example, the big number of boats that practice turtle spotting activities in the sea. It is not rare for someone to witness 7-8 boats in a small distance surrounding a female turtle that is preparing to nest inside the warm waters of Laganas bay. Loud tourists on boats asking to photograph the sea turtle up close, even to… pet her, or to… feed her anything they have with them, even fruit! The large number of boats, that is increasing every year, that the local port authority cannot control, due to lack of legislation, is now the biggest source of disturbance of the sea turtles in the marine area that disrupts the nesting process.
Sadly, the lack of a Management plan until today – 17 years after the foundation of the National Marine Park of Zakynthos- does not help in solving the issue at hand. The composition and approval of a Management plan was supposed to happen within a year of the foundation of the NMPZ, but unfortunately, it is still pending. This issue is becoming more concerning when combined with the incomplete protection from the National Marine Park of Zakynthos, which only intensifies the disturbances on the nesting beaches with the growing number of illegal beach furniture and establishments in the core of the natural reserve and lastly, with the consistent lack of government funding.
Despite all this, ARCHELON with the support of hundreds of volunteers that beyond observing, recording and protecting the nests, collaborates with the National Marine Park in order to inform the tourists, but that cannot substitute the institutional part of the state.
A complete and systemic intervention is required both from sea and land in order to make Laganas bay a safe haven for the Loggerheads.
Information: Anna Lamaj, Project Officer Zakynthos. Τel.: +306940454976, e mail: zakynth@archelon.gr
He is not with us anymore...
Public excavation of a Caretta caretta sea turtle nest
RECENT NEWS
- OUR NEWS02/07/2025
Citizen Science: Recording of Sporadic Nesting of Sea turtles across the Aegean
For over four decades, many people have been reporting turtle sightings and tracks across the Greek coastline. Thanks to them, we have confirmed 577 unique nesting events outside our regularly monitored areas
- 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.