More than 700 sea turtles were found stranded on Greek shores in 2020
Each and every year the Sea Turtle Rescue Centre of ARCHELON receives all the «Sea Turtle Stranding Sheets” from the Greek Coast Guard Units, along with photos and other relevant information. "We have just finished updating the database with the reports of dead sea turtle stranded in 2020, which exceeded 700, for the first time," said Irini Kassimati, a wildlife rehabilitation biologist, who is the Rescue and Rehabilitation Officer at the Centre.
"The reported dead turtles stranded on the beaches do not represent the total number of deaths that occur every year," said Dimitris Fytilis, the Manager of the Rescue Centre who is oceanographer by training. Although the number of reports of dead turtles washed upon shores has increased in recent years, the actual number of turtle deaths in the sea is unknown. This is because the coastline of Greece is quite extensive (about 17,000 km long), and includes largely steep coasts, where there is no access for people.
The most serious threats to sea turtles in the Mediterranean are related to their accidental capture of fishing gear, plastic and garbage pollution at sea and the tourist development of their nesting beaches. However, in most cases of strandings, it is not easy to locate the exact area where the particular problem occurred, as currents and waves can carry dead animals over long distances.
"We systematically examine each case of stranding, with the aim of better organizing the Rescue Network and assessing the threats faced by sea turtles in the different regions," Irini said, "but targeted research is needed to address these threats. The aim is the decrease of accidental catches by Greek fishing vessels, where it is estimated that about 9.700 sea turtles are caught every year”. Plastic waste at sea is also a pending issue both for sources from land and for marine vessels of all kinds.
What to do in case of stranding of a dead sea turtle
You need to inform the nearest Coast Guard Unit, so that the registration of the dead animal can be done by filling in a special form (Sea Turtle Stranding Sheet). If possible, the local veterinarian is called to determine the death and the causes of it.
[CIRCULAR with Reg. Number: M-2131.5.1 / 01/2010 of 08/01/2010, issuing authority Ministry of Citizen Protection, Coast Guard, Port Police Directorate, Department of Fisheries]
See more on the most significant causes of sea turtle strandings here: https://www.archelon.gr/eng/ournews.php?mid=6&mid2=16&nid=1137
For more information
Irini Kassimati, Rescue & Rehabilitation Officer, Tel./Fax: 210 8944 444, 6941 511 511, e-mail: rescue@archelon.gr.
Dimitris Fytilis, Rescue Centre Officer, Tel. 210 8982 600, 6944 929 622, e-mail: rc.officer@archelon.gr
A sad record: over 700 dead sea turtles in 2020
Sea Turtles stranding on Greek coasts: The most important causes
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.