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 Department of Environment and Hydroeconomics of the Regional Unit of Rethymno on the topic of management measures for the protection of the loggerhead sea turtle! The meeting was attended by local bodies, such as the Land Service, the Municipality and the Port Authority of Rethymno, as well as interested entrepreneurs from the tourism and catering sectors operating on the Rethymno coastline.
The attendees were welcomed to the meeting by the Deputy Governor of Rethymno, M. Lioni, with a brief greeting, while the Head of the Department, M. Nikoloudakis, presented the current environmental legislation regarding the management measures for the protection of the sea turtle. The nesting period lasts from May 1 to October 31, with regular inspections already starting from the beginning of May, confirmed Mr. Nikoloudakis.
Then, ARCHELON took the floor to present and explain the measures and good practices that must be followed so that the turtles can nest undisturbed this summer. “An important measure is to remove beach furniture after sunset and store it off the shore,” explains George Vrampas, ARCHELON’s Rethymno Project Manager. “Equally important is to deal with light pollution and disturbances at night,” he added, asking business owners and the municipality to turn off the lights and limit activities that cause noise and vibrations on the beach.
“When the measures are not followed, we have unfortunate results such as the trampling of disoriented hatchlings -an disturbing sight, not only for the sea turtles, but also for the local tourism product,” he concluded, emphasizing the value of respecting nature and the importance of transitioning to sustainable tourism.
The meeting concluded with statements, questions and discussion between the competent services and entrepreneurs.
ARCHELON's participation was carried out with the support of the TUI Care Foundation, within the framework of the "TUI Turtle Aid Greece" programme that is currently underway on the nesting beaches of Rethymno and Chania. "Indeed, this year, the effort to raise awareness among visitors continues with the implementation of informative SEA TURTLE BEACH WALKS with volunteers/researchers who protect the reproduction of turtles in Crete," says Danae Tsaparli, ARCHELON's Chania Project Manager.
We warmly thank the Rethymno Regional Office for this important initiative that is taking place in the region for the 10th consecutive year. We hope that such initiatives will spread to other nesting areas of the country.
Become a Sea Turtle Guardian in Lakonikos Bay
150 satellite tags for the protection of sea turtles
RECENT NEWS
- OUR NEWS29/05/2025
Amvrakikos Project 2025: Special Call for a Field Leader
ARCHELON is looking for a highly motivated person to lead its project in Amvrakikos Gulf, one of the few foraging sites for loggerhead turtles in Greece linking several populations nesting across the Mediterranean region.
- OUR NEWS22/05/2025
Sea turtle nesting has begun in Greece: learn what to look out for!
The first nests for 2025 have already been located and protected at Laganas beach in Zakynthos, Elaia beach in Kyparissia Bay and Pachia Ammos beach in Messara Bay in Crete!
- OUR NEWS16/05/2025
Advancing sea turtle photo-ID research with artificial intelligence
Sea turtle facial scales remain stable throughout a turtle’s life allowing researchers to recognise individuals from photos, often taken over decades!
- OUR NEWS15/05/2025
Kyparissia Bay: Balancing Nature and Tourism
Αs the popularity of the protected area increases and pressures from tourism and climate change intensify, the question that arises is: How many people can this beach “bear” without degrading the environment?
- OUR NEWS07/05/2025
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 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.