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 NEWS20/07/2026
43 Years of Tagging Sea Turtles in Greece Reveal Their Journeys in the Mediterranean
A new scientific publication highlights the important marine areas turtles use in the Mediterranean, through ARCHELON’s tagging program in Zakynthos, Kyparissia Bay and Rethymno.
- OUR NEWS17/07/2026
The first hatchlings of 2026 in Zakynthos!
The first nest hatched on Dafni beach in Laganas Bay in Zakynthos. Our team discovered the tiny tracks in the early hours of Tuesday, July 14th.
- OUR NEWS15/07/2026
A rare giant of the Greek seas: What our new study reveals about the Leatherback turtle
A new scientific publication brings together for the first time all available records of the Leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) in Greek waters.
- OUR NEWS10/07/2026
Raising awareness for the sea turtles in Corfu
To mark the launch of the project, ARCHELON carried out a series of outreach activities across Corfu, bringing local communities and visitors closer to sea turtle conservation.
- OUR NEWS08/07/2026
Protecting loggerhead sea turtles contributes to maintaining the balance of marine ecosystems.
Sea turtles play a vital role in maintaining healthy marine ecosystems. As part of marine food webs, they contribute to the balance and functioning of coastal and marine habitats.
- OUR NEWS05/07/2026
Is the Zakynthos National Marine Park Truly Protected?
Two cases of environmental law violations in Zakynthos that went unpunished.
- OUR NEWS29/06/2026
New Sea Turtle Protection Project in Corfu
ARCHELON partners with the Ionian Environment Foundation and the Mar-Bella Collection Hotel Group to Protect the Nesting Beaches of Corfu
- OUR NEWS26/06/2026
ARCHELON & TUI Turtle Aid Greece: 3 successful years in Crete
With the completion of the “TUI Turtle Aid Greece” project, ARCHELON presents impressive results in nest protection, the hotel employees training and raising awareness among 66,000 tourists.
- OUR NEWS24/06/2026
Effective turtle conservation begins with safeguarding the nesting beaches
Field surveys were carried out over two consecutive nesting seasons (2024–2025), assessing 167 nesting beaches across Greece, covering 270 km of coastline.
- OUR NEWS22/06/2026
ARCHELON expresses its sorrow at the loss of Mona Khalil
- OUR NEWS19/06/2026
The world of marine megafauna: New Photo Exhibition at Agiannakis Environmental Station
The Exhibition is part of the LIFE MareNatura Project and is open to the public every Saturday 18:00 - 21:00.
- OUR NEWS16/06/2026
New data reveals that sea turtles follow much more complex migration strategies
World Sea Turtle Day is an opportunity to celebrate our achievements, but also to remember why we continue to research and protect these ancient ocean travellers.
- OUR NEWS16/06/2026
Coordinated action in Greece, Cyprus and Italy to protect sea turtles against the climate crisis
Today, June 16, the world celebrates World Sea Turtle Day. In the Mediterranean, this celebration comes at a critical turning point.
- OUR NEWS15/06/2026
Turtle Festival: Diving into Deep Waters at ARCHELON’s Sea Turtle Rescue Centre!
On the occasion of World Sea Turtle Day (June 16), last Saturday the ARCHELON Sea Turtle Rescue Centre opened its doors to the public for this year’s Turtle Festival, themed “Into Deep Waters.”
- OUR NEWS09/06/2026
Celebrating World Environment Day with Sea Turtles in Rethymno
Last Friday, ARCHELON's team in Rethymno took part in a special awareness-raising event, co-organized by the Municipality and the 2nd Experimental Primary School of Rethymno.