One year LIFE EUROTURTLES
LIFE EUROTURTLES Programme involves 9 Beneficiaries from 6 EU Countries (Italy, Malta, Slovenia, Croatia, Greece and Cyprus) in a common effort to protect East Mediterranean Sea turtles. This project is co-sponsored by the EU and the Beneficiaries (ARCHELON, as the only beneficiary from Greece, is providing the same resources to support its implementation) in order to carry out these actions on land and at sea.
LIFE EUROTURTLES Programme has been running for a year already and the first results are already apparent!
In particular, as far as the laying period of Caretta Caretta in Greece is concerned, ARCHELON had the chance to “elongate” its actions to the species laying sites, as recording and protecting the sea turtles was random so far (C1 action). The results were remarkable: On the North Golf of Kiparissia, from Neda to Alfios River (meaningly, northern than the area of action of the multiyear Golf Association Programme), 387 nests were discovered and 278 of them were protected.
At the beach front of Evrotas (NE from the area of the multiyear Association Programme of Gythio beaches), 174 nests were discovered and 56 of them were protected. In addition, a new collaboration was established, between ARCHELON and the Katouchi-Strofylia Lagoon Managing Body and Mr Dionysios Mamasis. At the area Kounoupeli- Kotychi, 26 nests were discovered and 23 of them were protected. An “intensive” 3 week programme begun at the beach of Preveza (Kastrosikia-Mytikas), under the supervision of the Zakynthos Area Programme Coordinator, Anna Lamaj, where 3 nests were also discovered and protected. The observation and protection Programme in these areas includes another innovation: the Peloponnese Area Programme Coordinator, Mrs Polymnia Nestoridou and the Monitoring Leader, Mrs Sonia Doblado, after having training sessions with ARCHELON’s Scientific Officer, Mr Alan Rees, they performed drones flight testings for spotting nests on the laying sites beaches of the North Golf of Kiparissia and Laconia and for observing sea turtles at their reproductive natural reserves at sea.
This new technology (once the implementation of the national legislation on drones is concluded), will be incorporated, where deemed necessary, in ARCHELON’s permanent methodology. It is to be noted that, thanks to the drones’ use, a green turtle (Chelonia mydas) was spotted in close proximity to the laying site beach of Evrotas, while from the recent scientific data this specific species was not supposed to approach depths less than 50 meters of this area.
This programme has also certain actions for addressing the threats that sea turtles face by fishing activities. In particular, it includes sharing tools with fishermen, information sessions, interviews with the use of questionnaires and the creation of “hot spot” maps that contain the areas that represent the most intensely inhabited by sea turtles that need to be avoided by the fishermen as much as possible. In particular: In collaboration with HCMR of Crete (Representative, Mr Kapantagakis Argyris) a tool-cutter, that can be easily used in order to cut the line near the hook of a turtle that has been caught in long-lines, was created. Since January 2018 and for the next months, this tool will be handed to fishermen using long-lines to fish in the areas northern of Kissamos, Kassos, Karpathos, Kythira, Napoli, West Greece and subsequently to Euboea (Action C2a). Additionally, in collaboration with the Operator of the Mesolonghi Lagoon and Fishery Associations, there was an update of the fishermen for the presence of sea turtles in the reserve (the lagoon is a very important food field) and the best way of their liberation from the beds when they get captured in them (action C2b), as well as training for 4 experienced fishermen in order to spot sea turtles.
The Mesolonghi action was effected by a volunteer of the Association, Mrs Marina Delligiannaki, the Peloponnese Area Programme Coordinator, Mrs Polymnia Nestoridou and Paul Tsaros, Coordinator of ARCHELON Rescue Network, who suddenly passed away last September, leaving a great gap for the Association.
One year LIFE EUROTURTLES. LIFE EUROTURTLES Programme shall ensure the Centres and Sea Turtle Rescue Networks upgrade (action C5). So far, ARCHELON had the capacity to equip the STRC in Glyfada, Attiki, with 2 new care tanks as well as to provide transport tanks for injured animals and First Aid Kits to several Seaport Authorities in our country.
It is to be noted that LIFE EUROTURTLES Programme includes various activities on public awareness. Notably, with the support of the Programme, many sea turtles that have been cared for in the Sea Turtle Rescue Centre have been liberated and public nest excavations have been performed in Peloponnese and Crete. In terms of awareness, with the participation of the illustrator and specialist in environmental interpretation, Mr Vasilis Chatzibarsanis, an up to date and modern training material will be published, that will meet in the best way possible the requirements of training for the new generations. Within the LIFE EUROTURTLES framework, the training material will be translated in English as well as the other Stakeholder countries languages.
Every year the 9 Beneficiaries Meeting is organized in one of the 7 countries of implementation (action F1). In 2016 the 1st meeting was organized in Zagreb, Croatia, under the auspices of the Museum of Natural History of Croatia and the Blue World Institute. This year’s meeting took place in Larnaka, Cyprus, on September 26th to 28th, under the auspices of the Oceanographic Institute of Cyprus University and the Fishery and Maritime Research Department of the Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Cyprus.
During the last meeting, the stakeholders had the honour to tour the protected area of Lara-Tokseutra, that constitutes a very important reproduction reserve for the green turtle, as well as the caretta caretta, from one of the first “turtle supporters” of the Mediterranean, Mr Andreas Dimitropoulos.
(translation: Irene Neofytou)
Joanne, whatʼs new at the Rescue Center (October - November 2017)?
Volunteering with ARCHELON
RECENT NEWS
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- OUR NEWS31/07/2024
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- OUR NEWS29/07/2024
Help Hatchlings Reach the Sea: Keep Nesting Beaches Dark for Sea Turtles!
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- OUR NEWS15/07/2024
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- OUR NEWS26/06/2024
Sea Turtles Surprise us: if you see tracks on the beach, help ARCHELON's research!
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- OUR NEWS17/06/2024
ATTENTION! Sea turtles are not pets: Do not touch them or feed them!
In areas where a sea turtle associates human presence with food, it’s behavior changes. The turtle treats humans as well as other turtles as competitors in its feeding grounds and tries to drive them away with bites.
- OUR NEWS16/06/2024
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Every year on June 16th, we celebrate World Sea Turtle Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness about these magnificent creatures and the threats they face. This year is particularly important for ARCHELON, as the Sea Turtle Rescue Centre marks 30 years of operation.
- OUR NEWS13/06/2024
Poster contest for children and young adults: Welcome the 2024 turtle hatchlings on the beaches!
Watercolors, markers, collage, computer, phone? Everything is useful. Use your creativity and imagination to make an A3 or A4 size poster announcing that the 2024 sea turtle eggs are about to hatch.
- OUR NEWS17/05/2024
Amvrakikos Project 2024: 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 NEWS16/05/2024
Τhe nesting of loggerhead sea turtles started earlier this year and the effects of the climate crisis on the oceans are worrying
For the first time, in the 40 years of ARCHELON records, the first sea turtle nest was found in Laganas Gulf, Zakythos on May 10th. Scientific predictions of the nesting season moving earlier in the spring due to climate change are being confirmed.
- OUR NEWS14/05/2024
Save Turtles, See Greece on a Budget
Dreaming of pristine Greek beaches and a chance to make a real difference? Here's why June and September are the perfect months to volunteer with sea turtle conservation efforts in Greece!
- 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.