"Helen Jane" was not just another dead sea turtle found on the Greek coastline. For ARCHELON researchers, she was a living beacon of information that helped map an entire marine corridor of life from the warm sandy beaches of southern Crete to the depths of the North Aegean.

A mission with a name and a story

It all started on June 18, 2025 in the Gulf of Messara. Immediately after her nesting, ARCHELON's research team equipped the turtle with a satellite transmitter, as part of the ongoing research for the European LIFE MareNatura project. The name "Helen Jane" was not chosen by chance. It was given in memory of a dedicated ARCHELON Field Leader, who contributed to the protection of sea turtle nesting in this particular area.

The transmitter on “Helen Jane” became our “eyes” in the vast blue of the Mediterranean. Every time the turtle surfaced to take a breath, the transmitter sent a signal to the satellites, allowing scientists to track its journey in near real time. As it turned out, this turtle was a tireless traveler, choosing to leave its nesting grounds to explore coastal zones rich in food. Her last journey took her to the northern Aegean...

The end of a journey, the beginning of a legacy

Unfortunately, her journey was unexpectedly cut short in the Thermaic Gulf. On March 5, 2026, “Helen Jane” was found dead on Kitros beach, within the Axios Delta National Park, by INALE researchers during research for the National Fisheries Data Collection Program.

Although the news of her loss caused us sadness, the scientific value of her routes remains invaluable. The transmitter, which was recovered, contains many additional data that will be analyzed by ARCHELON's scientific team. In practice, such research can transform the data into a management and protection tool, indicating which marine zones constitute important marine habitats for turtles. "Helen Jane" left behind a map of knowledge that will help save future generations of sea turtles.

A broader effort: the stories of “Ciara”, “Myrto” and “Christiana”

The story of “Helen Jane” is part of a larger puzzle. At the same time, three other turtles began their own journeys after nesting in Messara Bay.

• “Ciara” and “Myrto” chose a southern direction, reaching the coasts of Libya and Tunisia.
• “Christiana”, followed the footsteps of “Helen Jane” to the North and is currently swimming in the Gulf of Ierissos in Halkidiki.

Be a part of the journey

Protecting marine life requires collaboration and awareness. You can learn more about the activities of the LIFE MareNatura project at www.lifemarenatura.eu and you can follow the turtles' journeys live on our website