19/03/2024

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.

RECENT NEWS

  1. OUR NEWS
    29/08/2025

    Turtle Run in Chania: Lace up your running shoes and get ready!

    September 7th, Chania: Join the event and support the protection of one of the most iconic marine species in the Mediterranean.

    Read more
  2. OUR NEWS
    27/08/2025

    Citizens Help us Map Sea Turtle Sporadic Nesting in the Ionian Sea

    This study is particularly important as it highlights the power of citizen science. Public eyes on beaches, outreach through online platforms and new reporting tools are expanding our understanding of turtle nesting beyond the beaches we monitor.

    Read more
  3. OUR NEWS
    20/08/2025

    A nesting turtle brings hope amidst a night of fire

    After a 12-hour period filled with fear and uncertainty, the family witnessed a miracle of nature. “It brought us peace and reminded us of what is important”.

    Read more
  4. OUR NEWS
    14/08/2025

    ARCHELON’s Life-Saving Chain with the Support of the Green Fund

    Thanks to persistence, medication, daily care, and a great deal of patience, “Snowball” gradually moved from a critical state to full recovery.

    Read more
  5. OUR NEWS
    31/07/2025

    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.

    Read more
  6. OUR NEWS
    25/07/2025

    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.

    Read more
  7. OUR NEWS
    21/07/2025

    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.

    Read more
  8. OUR NEWS
    21/07/2025

    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.

    Read more
  9. OUR NEWS
    16/07/2025

    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.

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  10. OUR NEWS
    15/07/2025

    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.

    Read more
  11. OUR NEWS
    09/07/2025

    Inspections in Zakynthos and Kyparissia by representatives of the Bern Convention

    The experts were in Greece to monitor the implementation of the Recommendations adopted by the Standing Committee of the Bern Convention to our country regarding the protection of the Loggerhead sea turtle and the ongoing threats faced by the species in its largest breeding habitats in the Mediterranean.

    Read more
  12. OUR NEWS
    02/07/2025

    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

    Read more
  13. OUR NEWS
    01/07/2025

    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!

    Read more
  14. OUR NEWS
    23/06/2025

    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.

    Read more
  15. OUR NEWS
    16/06/2025

    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.

    Read more
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