Marine Pollution and Sea Turtles
The oceans, the seas and that of closed seas, such as the Mediterranean, play key roles in the life and development of our planet. Specifically, the Mediterranean and the coastal areas, which host unique ecosystems, plants and animals and many visitors. Due to this high number of visitors, the Mediterranean encounters the serious problem of pollution. Marine pollution can be defined as the human input, directly or indirectly, of substances or energy into the marine environment, which causes a variety of deleterious effects; including harm to living resources, risks to human health, the reduction of marine water quality and a hindrance to marine activities, such as fishing. 80% of the total marine pollution is originally land-based waste water and this contributes to the global problem of pollution and its enormous environmental impacts.
Caretta caretta sea turtles spend 99.9% of their life in the water, except females, which during the period of nesting will leave the water to go onto beaches; to identify those appropriate for nesting. Before they reach the stage of nesting, the mating season occurs, which is when female and male turtles approach the nesting beaches at a close proximity. Therefore, the trash on the nesting beaches threatens hatchlings and they become deadly traps. The litter prevents the hatchlings from quickly reaching the sea, and makes them weak in front of their predators, such as sea birds and crabs. Finally, it is significant to note that plastics break down into smaller pieces over time, depending on the conditions in which it is located. Henceforth, this means that the disappearance of plastics within the environment is becoming increasingly difficult and harmful.
It is becoming clear that it is necessary to realize that the protection of the marine environment is not just the responsibility of governments, but primarily individual. The development of ecological consciousness will allow individuals to realize the presence and importance of human-nature interrelationships. At an individual level, there are many ways in which we can become allies of the environment, such as through volunteering. For 33 years, the volunteer organization ARCHELON has continued to operate Public Awareness Program surrounding the protection of Caretta caretta nests. Ultimately, the reduction and management of marine pollution, and that of its sources, is everyone’s responsibility.
Anna Lamaj, Zakynthos Project Leader
AMVRAKIKOS GULF: AN IMPORTANT AREA LINKING LOGGERHEAD HABITATS IN THE MEDITERRANEAN
Joanne, whatʼs new at the Rescue Centre (November 2016)?
RECENT NEWS
- 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.
- OUR NEWS04/02/2025
Joanne's Lifelong Passion: volunteering at the ARCHELON Sea Turtle Rescue Centre
Joanne's lifelong passion for sea turtles led her to volunteer at the ARCHELON Sea Turtle Rescue Centre in Greece, where she dedicates her time to educating visitors and contributing to the organization's conservation efforts.
- OUR NEWS02/02/2025
2 years of joint systematic efforts to protect Greece's largest wetland
- OUR NEWS28/01/2025
The ARCHELON Recap for 2024: We kept on fighting for Sea Turtles and the protection of the Oceans
2024 was the year that the recovery of the loggerhead sea turtle breeding population in Kyparissia Bay has been confirmed! This site now hosts the largest breeding population in the Mediterranean, which has been growing steadily in the past years thanks to the consistent long-term nest protection efforts of ARCHELON. It was also the warmest year globally on record when, on the side of our heavy core business workload, we made time to strengthen our commitment to volunteerism and sustainable tourism.