Fraport Greece and Air France support the ARCHELON initiative in Zakynthos
To mark the new direct air service between Paris and Zakynthos, which was inaugurated in early July, Fraport Greece and Air France are actively supporting the ARCHELON project, which has been running protecting sea turtles and their habitats on the Ionian Island for almost 40 years.
More specifically, the support plan provides for a sponsorship that covers the expenses of 6 volunteers who will enhance the ARCHELON public awareness actions for visitors from August onwards. The volunteers are being selected through a specific call of interest published in mid-July and will further strengthen the existing team of ARCHELON researchers/ volunteers in Zakynthos.
ARCHELON has had a continuous presence in Laganas Bay, Zakynthos, since the early 1980s, carrying out research activities related to monitoring and protecting sea turtle reproduction, while systematic nest counts started in 1984. The information and awareness activities of ARCHELON aim to cultivate sustainable responsible tourism, which will lead to limiting the impacts of tourism on the environment, ensuring a sustainable future for sea turtles in Zakynthos.
On the occasion of the partnership between Fraport Greece and Air France in support of ARCHELON’s activities in Zakynthos, the Executive Director, Commercial &
Business Development of Fraport Greece, George Vilos, stated: “We are particularly pleased to announce our partnership with Air France in support of the work carried by ARCHELON.
It should be noted that this initiative is fully in line with Fraport Greece’s central strategic priority of promotion of sustainable development, protection of the environment, and implementation of actions that benefit the local communities where we are active.”
Mr. Yiannis Pantazopoulos, Regional Director of Air France – KLM said: “We are very proud to support the awareness program of ARCHELON in collaboration with Fraport Greece on the island of Zakynthos. Such initiatives, in addition to helping the environment, which is our main goal, also inspire more people to make more sustainable choices. Endangered species protection should raise awareness among both locals and visitors. All of us, as travelers, must respect the areas we visit and the environment we live in, and during our holidays."
“When there is a will there is way” said Thomas Arapis, the President of ARCHELON. ”Volunteers are the backbone of ARCHELON’s activities and we needed more people in order to strengthen the public awareness activities on Zakynthos this summer. We thus greatly appreciate this sponsorship, which, in addition, will enable the participation of people who would not be able to join our projects otherwise.”
The mission of ARCHELON is to design and implement projects and actions for the conservation of sea turtles and their habitats, combining scientific work with volunteering service and aiming at mobilizing society through awareness and education for a better and sustainable planet.
We can all live together; this is the motto of ARCHELON since 1983!
A local group protects loggerhead sea turtle nests in Sitia, southeastern Crete
Loggerhead hatchlings have made their appearance on Greek nesting beaches!
RECENT NEWS
- 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!
- 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.