Ηow important is it to protect adult sea turtles in the Med?
The work of A. Rees, P. Theodorou and D. Margaritoulis of ARCHELON for estimating the clutch frequency of loggerheads nesting in Kyparissia bay, Greece, was recently published. Kyparissia Bay is hosting the largest concentration of loggerheads turtles in the Mediterranean in recent years. This is the first time that clutch frequency (the number of nests made by the same female in a season) has been determined for the sea turtles breeding there.
Satellite tags were used on 21 female loggerheads to monitor their inter-nesting movements in the areas in 2018 and 2019. Thanks to ARCHELON’s multiannual tagging and monitoring efforts, it is known that approximately 366 turtles are expected to nest in south Kyparissia Bay every year. In 2019, the average clutch frequency was found to be 3.8 nests/ turtle and ranged from 3-5 nests.
The important news is that these results were fed into the models used to estimate the breeding population of loggerheads in the Mediterranean region. The new data, although more accurate, does not change predicted long-term trends in nest numbers. It is impressive though that the estimated number of sea turtles breeding in the Mediterranean is shown to be overestimated by 73%. This is due to the fact that previous calculations used the clutch frequency that was calculated for Cyprus in 2002, which is no longer the case. “Now that we know there are fewer sea turtles breeding in the Mediterranean than we thought, more efforts to protect adult turtles must be taken up” said Thomas Arapis, ARCHELON’s Chair of the Board of Directors.
Once more, the monitoring work undertaken systematically in Kyparissia bay by ARCHELON is bearing useful conservation results. “I hope we will be able to use new tags this year as well”, said Alan F. Rees, the main author of the report. “Thanks are due to MAVA Foundation for their support but also to the volunteers who supported ARCHELON projects in Kyparissia”, he added.
Check ARCHELON’s website: publications
ARCHELON meets with the loggerheads while taking up special protection against COVID19
News flash for volunteers in ARCHELON’s sea turtle conservation programs - Update 30/4/2020
RECENT NEWS
- OUR NEWS12/09/2025
Τhe first green sea turtle nest has hatched in Naxos island!
The emergence of a nest on Naxos is a sign that the geographical range of this threatened species in the Mediterranean may be expanding.
- OUR NEWS09/09/2025
School Tours at ARCHELON: Reserve Your Spot from September 11
The magical world of sea turtles and the people who are taking care of them is waiting, offering you a unique experience and valuable knowledge.
- OUR NEWS05/09/2025
The first report of 2025 delivered from Romanos Beach, Messinia
From mid-May to early September 2025, the project recorded about 80 nests along the 2.7 km stretch of Romanos beach.
- 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