COVID-19 coronavirus and ARCHELON’s 2020 sea turtle conservation projects: FAQs
1. Is ARCHELON considering to cancel the 2020 projects because of COVID-19 coronavirus considerations?
A: The cancellation of the projects is not an option, we need to carry on to the best of our abilities. At the Rescue Centre injured sea turtles will continue their treatment. Conservation tasks on the nesting beaches and Amvrakikos will also continue, so that nests are protected and time- series of monitoring data remain uninterrupted. It is positive fact that all ARCHELON’s field projects are carried out on the beaches and at sea and the Rescue Centre is a semi open space.
2. Are there any particular risk assessments done for the projects in relation to the COVID-19 coronavirus situation?
A: The operation of the Rescue Centre was just assessed in the light of current information about the COVID-19 coronavirus (March 10, 2020). A plan has been drawn up to continuously monitor and address the likelihood of any outbreak amongst staff and volunteers. In addition, the Centre will remain closed for visitors, in line with the guidelines of the public authorities. The nesting beach projects and Amvrakikos are due to start in May/ June and their assessment is under way.
3. What if volunteers will not be able to travel to their projects as scheduled?
A: We hope that travel restrictions will not last for long. If a volunteer cannot travel on the dates expected, we will invite him/her to reschedule at the earliest possible date.
4. What if a volunteer cannot travel because he/ she gets infected or suspects to be infected by the COVID-19 coronavirus?
A: All the same, we will invite him/her to reschedule at the earliest possible date following their recovery. We would need a renewed doctor’s note on their state of health before they are admitted to the projects again.
5. What if a volunteer becomes sick while in the project?
A: A due diligence and emergency response process is already taking place at the Rescue centre, in line with the latest instructions of the health authorities'. We are also preparing a procedure to address the likelihood of any outbreak of COVID-19 coronavirus amongst staff and volunteers for the nesting beaches and Amvrakikos projects. We remind you that volunteers must have their own health insurance.
6. Will re-scheduling a volunteer participation due to COVID-19 coronavirus be free- of-charge?
When rescheduling for the same type of project (e.g. Nesting beaches, Amvrakikos, Rescue Centre), and keeping the same duration of participation as scheduled, there will be neither extra charges, nor refunds due to changes in high/low season.
7 . What if the duration of a re-scheduled participation due to COVID-19 coronavirus is different than the initially agreed?
A: In such cases the participation fees will be re-calculated according to the final dates and balanced with an extra payment or partial refund.
8. What if a volunteer wishes to cancel their participation due to COVID-19 coronavirus?
A: The cancellation policy in place continues to apply. However, in the case of a travel ban around the dates of scheduled travel, there will be a full refund of the volunteer fee paid minus banking costs.
9. What if a travel ban related to COVID-19 coronavirus affects a volunteer’s departure date from a project?
A: If such a case occurs, we will discuss with them the possibility of extending their participation period.
10. How will internships be affected in relation to COVID-19 coronavirus?
A: Everything said above concerning volunteers in ARCHELON’s projects is also valid for internships.
ARCHELON’s 2020 projects with regard to coronavirus COVID-19 – Important Update 31st March 2020
Visits to ARCHELON’s Sea Turtle Rescue Center are postponed for the next 2 weeks
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.