Coordinated actions for sea turtles on the European coasts and seas of the Mediterranean continue
This is about the Life Euroturtles project, through which organizations from Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Greece, Malta and Cyprus are implementing actions to ensure the survival of sea turtles in the Mediterranean. The project runs within EU member states, it is funded in part by the European Commission and is in its fourth year of implementation.
ARCHELON is the Greek partner, cooperating with the Greek Ministry of Environment and Energy and local agencies, and is already implementing the actions foreseen for 2020. The good news is that there will be external support for specific actions of the Life Euroturtles project this year.
We were just informed that with their decision No. 177.10.1 / 2020, the Board of Directors of the Green Fund of the Ministry of Environment and Energy have approved the co-financing of specific actions of the Life Euroturtles project, for the 4th year in a row. The actions are monitoring and protection of loggerhead nests in new areas and necessary equipment for the Rescue Centre.
The beaches in the north Kyparissia Bay, the shore of Kotychi lagoon, the coast of Evrotas and the coast of Preveza are areas of particular ecological and scientific interest in view of monitoring trends in sea turtle populations. In the first 3 years of implementation of Life Euroturtles, ARCHELON has recorded and protected a total of 1,825 loggerhead nests in collaboration with local authorities. This summer we have already started with drone flights launched to locate sea turtles in the sea and nests on the beaches. Temperature loggers are also being placed on these beaches to help determine, among other things, the percentage of male hatchlings.
Other actions of the Life Euroturtles project that ARCHELON will pursue include continuing work on the Action Plan for Sea Turtles in Greece, using of the new educational material in school units, and the installation of satellite transmitters on a few more sea turtles in order to determine their movements. It is noted that the Life Euroturtles actions do not concern the nesting beaches of Zakynthos, south Kyparissia Bay or Crete, in which ARCHELON has been continuously implementing monitoring and protection programs with volunteers since the 1980s.
World’s first for ARCHELON’s latest findings
Sea turtles return to nest on the beaches of Crete
RECENT NEWS
- OUR NEWS29/08/2025
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.
- OUR NEWS27/08/2025
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.
- OUR NEWS20/08/2025
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”.
- OUR NEWS14/08/2025
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.
- 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 NEWS09/07/2025
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.
- 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.