Looking for male sea turtles in Amvrakikos Gulf
The data and knowledge available about the movements of male sea turtles in the Mediterranean is still limited today. ARCHELON has been trying to fill this gap in recent years. This year, the small group of volunteers with Hugo Baron as field leader and Joyce Rapiteau, Leo Cormary, Holly Smith-Baedorf, Eleanor Goodsell as members, managed to place 5 satellite transmitters on adult male turtles found in Amvrakikos Gulf. Τhe movements of the turtles and their migration corridors can now be seen on a map, following the daily signal of the transmitters, the movements of the turtles and their future migrations can now be seen on a map on ARCHELON’s website.
"The transmitters were placed on adults, with a minimum tail length of 25 cm", says Nikoletta Sidiropoulou, marine biologist who is the Project manager for the projects in Amvrakikos Gulf. During this year's program, a total of 299 sea turtles were captured and released within a few minutes, in order to tag them with a special identification mark and record the characteristics of the animals. "The results of the daily and long-term field work of ARCHELON volunteers are fascinating and will contribute to the enhancement of scientific knowledge about the movements and migration of sea turtles", she continues.
The shallow waters of Amvrakikos Gulf in northwestern Greece, are one of the most important feeding grounds for sea turtles in Greece. This valuable ecosystem, which includes wetlands of international importance, hosts not only Loggerheads but also Green turtles.
The first projects of ARCHELON in this site began in 2000 and have continued uninterruptedly since then. Satellite tagging of male sea turtles started in Amvrakikos in 2020, within the framework of the project "Conservation of Marine Turtles in the Mediterranean Region" and continued there in 2021.
One of the surprises of this summer is that, for the third year, we identified 2 turtles which had been tagged in Italy. "This is why international and European legislation exists and transnational cooperation is required in the efforts to conserve migratory animals, such as sea turtles" comments Panagiota Theodorou, Coordinator of Legal and Institutional Issues of ARCHELON, who is responsible for the overall implementation of the project.
The activities of placing satellite transmitters and tagging adult male animals is expected to continue in the spring of 2022. The project "Conservation of Marine Turtles in the Mediterranean Region” is funded by the MAVA Foundation.
Rehabilitation Assistants Needed
Sporadic nests of sea turtles are important
RECENT NEWS
- OUR NEWS05/07/2025
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.
- OUR NEWS17/04/2025
Special 2-week volunteering opportunity on the nesting beaches – we need you this May and June!
- OUR NEWS14/04/2025
Groundbreaking Study on Microplastic Pollution of Marine Turtle Nesting Beaches
ARCHELON took part in a recent global study that has uncovered alarming levels of microplastic contamination on marine turtle nesting beaches around the world.
- OUR NEWS09/04/2025
Become a Sea Turtle Guardian in Lakonikos Bay
Gracie and Claire, two dedicated individuals who made a significant impact on the sea turtle project of Lakonikos Bay in 2024, talked about their experience.
- OUR NEWS08/04/2025
Meeting of organizations, authorities and businessmen in Rethymno: Crete is preparing for the arrival of the turtles!
On Monday, April 7, we met for another year in the hospitable city of Rethymno to participate in the meeting organized by the Regional Unit of Rethymno on the topic of management measures for the protection of the loggerhead sea turtle!
- OUR NEWS31/03/2025
150 satellite tags for the protection of sea turtles
Since 2002, ARCHELON and its partners have placed 150 satellite and GSM tags on sea turtles monitoring their vast journeys across the Mediterranean!
- OUR NEWS24/03/2025
Become a Guardian of the Night: Volunteer with ARCHELON
On some select beaches, volunteer duties also include night patrols. During the hours when the presence of people on the nesting beaches is prohibited so as not to disturb the turtles, our trained volunteers start their shift, equipped with measuring instruments, research notebooks and red flashlights.
- OUR NEWS14/03/2025
Enriching the lives of rescued sea turtles
A recent study at ARCHELON's Sea Turtle Rescue Centre highlights the importance of environmental enrichment in improving the physical and psychological well-being of rescued sea turtles, aiding their rehabilitation and preparing them for successful release back into the wild.
- OUR NEWS24/02/2025
ARCHELON's Annual General Assembly
According to article 8 of the Statutes of ARCHELON Association, its’ members were invited to attend the Annual General Assembly on Saturday, 22 February 2025.
- OUR NEWS20/02/2025
From the ARCHELON’s Rescue Centre in Egypt!
A sea turtle, previously rehabilitated at the ARCHELON’s Rescue Centre, has once again made headlines, this time internationally. The tagged turtle was discovered weak and injured on an Egyptian beach after the recent rough seas. This incident, as reported by the Egyptian news agency, underscores the ongoing need to protect the fragile Mediterranean marine environment.
- OUR NEWS17/02/2025
ARCHELON's turtle toy travels the country with students and teachers
We would like to warmly thank all the schools that participated in the Online Tours during the 2023-2024 school year and spread the message of sea turtle protection to the ends of the country! The online tours for the current school year have already started.
- OUR NEWS12/02/2025
Online Presentation of Results 2024
Last year, 500 volunteers from all over the world came to help turtles in Greece! What did they achieve? Join us to find out!
- OUR NEWS11/02/2025
Historic Green Sea Turtle Nest Discovered on Rhodes Island, Greece
This species is globally endangered and the recent discovery is particularly significant as it suggests a possible shift in green turtle breeding areas.