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 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.
- OUR NEWS22/04/2025
Turning the Tide: Sea Turtle Populations Show Signs of Recovery Worldwide
The first, after a decade, global study brings encouraging news for sea turtle conservation: more than half of their populations across the globe show signs of recovery. Listed among the authors is the Research Coordinator of ARCHELON, Aliki Panagopoulou PhD, who is mobilizing the long term field work of our Society on the nesting beaches of Greece.
- OUR NEWS17/04/2025
Special 2-week volunteering opportunity on the nesting beaches – we need you this May and June!