Joanne, whatʼs new at the Rescue Centre (March 2017)?
Our volunteer at the Rescue Centre Joanne Stournara updates us on the events in March 2017.
“If we were logical, the future would be bleak indeed. But we are more than logical. We are human beings, and we have faith, and we have hope, and we can work.” (Jacques-Yves Cousteau, 1910-1997)
This advice from the great explorer and conservator of the seas is very appropriate for describing the people of ARCHELON (whether they are in the field, in the office, or at the Rescue Centre) who have faith and hope, and work very hard to help protect sea turtles and their environment all year round. This year, the unpredictable weather caused by global warming has affected sea turtles, resulting in many requiring treatment for hypothermia.
ARRIVALS
“Phaedra”, a loggerhead with deep neck and flipper injuries possibly caused by entanglement in a fishing line or net, arrived from the island of Tilos by the Mayor on 15 March 2017. The Mayor cared for the turtle in her own home with the help of the local veterinarian. The next day, she was transferred to the aquarium of Rhodes, where she received first aid from the aquarium vet, and was sent to the Rescue Center as soon as space was available for her. The turtle’s carapace measures 70.0 cm and she weighs 31.5 kilos. She is not eating yet, but is receiving appropriate care for her wounds. (She is named after the mythological daughter of King Minos of Crete, and the wife of Theseus of Athens.)
Many thanks to everyone involved in rescuing and transporting these turtles.
UPDATES
DEATHS
“Athinioli”, who had arrived on 5 September 2016 from Corinthos with a head injury, died as a result of her injuries on 22 February 2017.
“Aphroditi”, who had arrived on 2 October 2016 from Preveza with a general infection all over her body, died on 7 March 2017.
SPECIAL THANKS
... to Hartmann Hellas (http://gr.hartmann.info/) for their generous donation of medical supplies used in treating the turtles.
Did you know...
Sea turtles have been around for millions of years, and there is a reason why: they are very important for the maintenance of the health of the world’s ecosystems. In addition to helping keep coral reefs and sea grass colonies in good condition, they also bring important nutrients from the sea to the beaches and coastal dunes. They also help to preserve a balanced food web by eating sponges, jellyfish, etc., and (in the case of hatchlings) providing food for other animals. For a free downloadable report with beautiful photos, see
http://oceana.org/sites/default/files/reports/Why_Healthy_Oceans_Need_Sea_Turtles.pdf
Unfortunately, not everyone is aware of the value of sea turtles, which are often deliberately and brutally killed or tortured for various reasons, perhaps because they may damage fishing nets or gear when they are caught in them and trying to escape. Fortunately, a new project funded by the WWF uses LED lights on nets to ‘warn’ turtles away from them: Turtles can see the lights (which fish cannot) and avoid the nets. Testing of these LED nets resulted in a 60% decrease in turtle bycatch, and a 20% increase in the target catch. For more information, see
http://www.worldwildlife.org/magazine/issues/spring-2017/articles/can-led-lights-save-sea-turtles.
Workshop in Rethymno for sea turtles
The protection of the Loggerhead Sea turtles in Laganas Bay, Zakynthos, Greece during 2016
RECENT NEWS
- OUR NEWS02/05/2024
Sea Turtle Festival for Kids 2024
Save the date! On Saturday 18 May at 11:00, the ARCHELON Rescue Centre opens its doors to welcome young and old sea turtle friends who want to celebrate, explore, learn, play and travel magically in the Mediterranean Sea. We are waiting for you to strengthen our message for a better and sustainable planet!
- OUR NEWS02/05/2024
A successful year for the International Sea Turtle Symposium
The International Sea Turtle Symposium concluded triumphantly this March in Pattaya, Thailand, with ARCHELON actively participating.
- OUR NEWS29/04/2024
A Morning Beach Patrol with ARCHELON
The camera lens of Stefanos and Maria of SteMajourneys caught a rare sight in the early morning: a Loggerhead sea turtle nesting! The volunteers in Chania took action right away to protect the nest.
- OUR NEWS26/04/2024
Protecting sea turtles in Rethymno- Our Ocean, an Ocean of Potential
The 9th International Conference "Our Ocean", which was held in Athens from April 15 to 17, was successfully completed. ARCHELON had the honor to actively take part in the conference and hosted a side event.
- OUR NEWS12/04/2024
Coordination for the protection of sea turtles in Rethymno: Local authorities and tourism businesses join forces
The meeting, which took place on April 5, 2024, in the building of the Regional Unit of Rethymno, touched upon key issues, such as the observance of conservation measures for the protection of the Loggerhead sea turtle. Given the tourist activity on the nesting beaches, the active participation of the tourism sector in the implementation of the measures is necessary.
- OUR NEWS10/04/2024
"Tourists and turtles?" The environmental awareness campaign of ARCHELON spreads to the nesting beaches of the Loggerhead sea turtle
After the pandemic, ARCHELON - the Sea Turtle Protection Society of Greece - is once again mobilizing on the path to sustainable tourism. The aim of the new campaign is to provide information on the appropriate code of conduct for visitors to all nesting beaches, in cooperation with the tourism sector.
- OUR NEWS04/04/2024
LIFE MareNatura - The largest marine biodiversity program in Greece
- OUR NEWS03/04/2024
Citizens inform us of sea turtle strandings
ARCHELON started the effort to record the incidents of dead turtles washing up on the Greek shores in 1992. In recent years there has been an increase in these records which may be due to more of our fellow citizens reporting such incidents. Learn more…
- OUR NEWS19/03/2024
Contributing to international developments on sea turtle research and conservation
In the past, members of ARCHELON were actively involved in the elaboration of the Global Strategy for the Conservation of Marine Turtles, published in 1995, and nowadays three of our collaborators participate in the writing of the revised guidebook “Research and Management Techniques for the Conservation of Sea Turtles”.
- OUR NEWS08/03/2024
The Over & Above Awards for 2023
These are the ARCHELON Over & Above Awards for 2023.
- OUR NEWS04/03/2024
The moving experience of Frederique at the Rescue Centre
At ARCHELON, you'll have the opportunity to meet and work together with new people and form lasting friendships - a major benefit of volunteering.
- OUR NEWS29/02/2024
Presentation of ARCHELON 2023 Results: Here is some good news!
On Thursday February 15th, 2024, ARCHELON’s annual Presentation of Results took place downtown, at the Impact Hub Athens. When welcoming members, staff, collaborators, friends and volunteers, Daphne Mavrogiorgos, Director of ARCHELON, spoke about the multi-leveled action of ARCHELON during 2023.
- OUR NEWS02/02/2024
Sea turtles in the Greek wetlands of international importance
World Wetlands Day is celebrated every year on February 2. These vulnerable areas of the planet are a refuge for migratory birds and other wildlife species, including sea turtles. ARCHELON is present in wetlands that play an important role for sea turtles, such as the Amvrakikos Gulf.
- OUR NEWS24/01/2024
Why are ARCHELON’s projects international?
ARCHELON’s sea turtle conservation projects are organized with the valuable contribution of volunteers who come to Greece every year not just from Europe but from more distant places such as South Korea, Australia, and Colombia. Speaking English while carrying out fieldwork or public awareness activities as well as when interacting with each other in the campsites is essential to the projects.
- OUR NEWS17/01/2024
ARCHELON has been running a special hospital for sea turtles with tanks and impressive old train wagons for 30 years in Glyfada
Turtles with IV and bandages, rehabilitation and recovery tanks, special environmental enrichment equipment, recovery greenhouses, and… renovated train wagons! The hospital for injured and sick turtles that ARCHELON has set up in the 3rd marina of Glyfada, next to the sea, is certainly something out of the ordinary.