Important presentations at the 16th International Congress on the Zoogeography and Ecology of Greece and Adjacent Regions (ICZEGAR)
Research and studies of nature in Greece have developed further in recent years as shown during 16th International Congress on the Zoogeography and Ecology of Greece and Adjacent Regions (ICZEGAR), held in Athens, at the Eugenides Foundation, from 3 to 6 July 2025, where ARCHELON participated actively.
Organized every two years by the Hellenic Zoological Society, ICZEGAR is a well-established forum for scientists working on Mediterranean fauna. It fosters the exchange of knowledge and ideas while providing space for creative discussions on biodiversity research and conservation.
This year’s Congress was co-organized with the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and WWF Greece, featuring 14 thematic sessions covering key areas of zoological studies such as conservation biology, biogeography, fisheries, population ecology, phylogenetics, phylogeography, and biological invasions.
ARCHELON’s contribution to the Congress
ARCHELON actively contributed to the Congress with three oral presentations, highlighting key aspects of its scientific and conservation work for sea turtles:
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Aliki Panagopoulou, ARCHELON’s Research Coordinator, presented: “Paradigm shift: Loggerhead turtles show more complex post-nesting migration strategies than previously thought”, revealing early findings from the LIFE Mare Natura project and offering new insights into the behavioral patterns of sea turtles after nesting.
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Kostas Teneketzis, ARCHELON’s scientific associate, presented: “Sea turtle nesting in Rhodes: A 35-year reassessment”, based on long-term monitoring under the TUI Turtle Aid Greece project, implemented by the TUI Care Foundation in collaboration with ARCHELON. The presentation shed light on long-term trends and conservation challenges in the area.
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Eirini Kasimati, ARCHELON’s Head of Rescue & Welfare, presented: “Three decades of sea turtle rehabilitation in Greece (1995–2024) reveal significant human-related impacts”, showcasing data from the Sea Turtle Rescue Centre and emphasizing the urgent need to reduce anthropogenic threats to sea turtles in the Mediterranean.
ARCHELON’s presence at ICZEGAR 2025 strengthened our collaborations within the scientific community and offered a valuable opportunity to highlight our commitment to protecting sea turtles and Mediterranean biodiversity. We remain inspired and continue our mission with even greater dedication and passion!
Earlier than ever before was the start of the 2025 Hatching Season of Loggerheads in Greece – The first hatchlings have reached the sea!
Inspections in Zakynthos and Kyparissia by representatives of the Bern Convention
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 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.
- 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.