Fishing and strandings of sea turtles in the Bay of Kyparissia
Sea turtles constitute one of the most ancient species of fauna to still exist on Earth. The fossil archives lead to the conclusion that turtles were already around at the time of dinosaurs. Even though dinosaurs have gone extinct, turtles continue to survive to this day. However, turtles nowadays face numerous dangers from various human activities, with fishing being considered one of the most basic threats to the survival of the species.
Every year in the Southern region of the Bay of Kyparissia and, since this year, with valuable help from the LIFE Euroturtles project, also in the Northern region of the Bay of Kyparissia, the researchers from ARCHELON have been recording all turtle strandings with on-site observation. Specifically for the summer period of 2017, from early May to early October, four incidents of dead turtles strandings have been recorded, in which the causes of death are connected to specific fishing activities, from fishing nets entangled on fins to longline hooks stabbed on the turtles’ bodies.
It is now important to point out that, being reptiles, sea turtles have lungs. Many times, once a turtle is somehow trapped in fishing tools, it cannot emerge to the water surface to breathe and so it dies. Their breathing frequency is connected to their activity level. A resting or sleeping turtle, for example, can stay underwater for 4 to 7 hours. However, a turtle entangled in fishing tools and consequently in a stressful situation quickly uses up the oxygen stored in its body and can drown within a few minutes.
Within the frame of the European LIFE Euroturtles project, we aim at reducing the sea turtle death rate caused by fishing tools, through actions like: informing fishermen, distributing special tools for setting trapped turtles free, cleaning abandoned fishing tools from the bottom of the sea and upgrading the rescue network and the Sea Turtle Rescue Centre in Glyfada, Attica.
The Hellenic Coast Guard as well as sensitized citizens have been a great help in ARCHELON’s efforts to record the strandings, as well as in rescuing injured turtles. Whoever spots an injured or dead turtle is kindly requested to inform local Coast Guard Authorities as well as ARCHELON so that the incident can be recorded or the turtle imminently rescued.
National Rescue Network for Sea Turtles phone number: 210 8944444, 6941511511
Giannis Chalkias, ARCHELON Peloponnese Project Assistant
Polymnia Nestoridou, ARCHELON Peloponnese Project Coordinator (tel.: 6951009785)
(translation: Betty-Maria Pagourdaki)
5th December, International Volunteer Day
Environmental education through lifelong learning at Amorgos Yperia Convention
RECENT NEWS
- 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 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.
- 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!