Contributing to international developments on sea turtle research and conservation
For decades ARCHELON has been at the forefront of global research and conservation of sea turtles. During the 1990’s our members participated in the elaboration of the Global Strategy for the Conservation of Marine Turtles, with the understanding that without active intervention and management, marine turtle populations would be expected to continue their decline to extinction. The Strategy was published in 1995 by the Marine Turtle Specialist Group- MTSG of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), covering a wide thematic range from research and monitoring to funding for marine turtle conservation. https://www.iucn.org/resources/publication/global-strategy-conservation-marine-turtles
The Strategy provided the necessary guidance for main research and conservation activities, so that sea turtle populations would fulfill their ecological role. In order to achieve this goal, it is important that the institutions dealing with sea turtle conservation collect data with a specific methodology so that results can be quality controlled and comparable. The Marine Turtle Specialist Group later on, in 1999, published the Research and Management Techniques for the Conservation of Marine Turtles https://www.iucn-mtsg.org/techniques-manual-english.
The guidebook describes the appropriate methodology in different research themes and is essential for every scientist or scientific organization dealing with sea turtles. Today, 25 years after its first edition, the second- revised – edition of the guidebook is under elaboration by the MTSG. The revision was deemed necessary as there are new developments in research and conservation methods as well as the relevant technology.
Three collaborators of ARCHELON are currently participating in the writing of the revised guidebook. Alan F. Rees is contributing on the Chapter about the use of drones in research, Aliki Panagopoulou is writing on the methods for sociological research (questionnaires, interviews etc.) and Kostas Papafitsoros is contributing to the techniques for photo- identification of sea turtles at sea. All three subjects are related to very important new research and conservation tools. Alan will also be one of the editors of the revised guidebook. We are proud for all three of them, for, not only they provide scientific support to the projects of ARCHELON every year, but they also contribute to this very important publication and the further systematization of data collection and research on sea turtles.
Citizens inform us of sea turtle strandings
The Over & Above Awards for 2023
RECENT NEWS
- OUR NEWS31/07/2025
ATTENTION! Please do not feed sea turtles – They are not pets- Protect them from human induced impacts
ARCHELON informs that the phenomenon of feeding sea turtles by people in coastal areas, ports and tourist spots has been observed in recent years. Despite good intentions, this practice causes serious problems – for turtles and for people alike.
- OUR NEWS25/07/2025
New Info Station in Kyparissia Opens for LIFE MareNatura Project
Located at the beachfront of the town, the Info Station operates daily 18:30 - 21:00.
- OUR NEWS21/07/2025
Public Excavations of Sea Turtle Nests in Crete
The excavations are open for both kids and adults and take place on the nesting beaches of Rethymno, Chania, and the Messara Bay during the months of August and September.
- OUR NEWS21/07/2025
Public Excavations of Sea Turtle Nests in the Peloponnese
The excavations are open for both kids and adults and take place on the nesting beaches of Kyparissia Bay, Romanos, Koroni and Lakonikos Bay during the months of August and September.
- OUR NEWS16/07/2025
Earlier than ever before was the start of the 2025 Hatching Season of Loggerheads in Greece – The first hatchlings have reached the sea!
We are excited to announce the beginning of the 2025 sea turtle hatching season, with the earliest hatching event ever recorded since monitoring began in 1984.
- OUR NEWS15/07/2025
Important presentations at the 16th International Congress on the Zoogeography and Ecology of Greece and Adjacent Regions (ICZEGAR)
ARCHELON actively contributed to the Congress with three oral presentations, highlighting key aspects of its scientific and conservation work for sea turtles.
- 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.