Presentation of the 2018 results in a few words
On February 14th, ARCHELON members and staff gathered in the friendly venue of Patakis bookstore in Athens, for the presentation of ARCHELON’s results in the 2018 projects. Friends from other environmental organizations and collaborators also joined us, as well as current volunteers of our rescue network and environmental education program.
The presentation started with data and information collected by 510 volunteers during the 2018 summer projects. We learned that about 6000 loggerhead Caretta caretta nests were recorded on the 134 km of beach surveyed by ARCHELON’s teams on Zakynthos, Crete and the Peloponnese. Significant pressures persisted in the project areas, despite an improvement in removing beach furniture at night. Vehicles moving on nesting beaches remains a problem and the presence of artificial lighting on beaches is still a major threat.
The education team at the Rescue Center near Athens, organized 329 presentations during the school year 2017-2018. Thirty (30) rescued turtles have returned to sea, and 26 remain under treatment at the Rescue Center. In total, 114 volunteers supported the rescue network, turtle treatment and environmental education programs at the Rescue Center. Special reference was made of 5 people who are residents of Attica and were able to spend valuable time for the injured turtles in addition to the part-time volunteer duties they undertook.
The discussion between Dimitris Margaritoulis and Thomas Arapis on the significance of the high number of Caretta caretta nests during 2018 in the Mediterranean sparked the interest of those attending. We were informed that the fluctuations observed in the numbers of loggerhead nests each year are attributed to environmental factors that affect the wintering and foraging marine areas. Combined data from other countries show that almost 50% of the Caretta caretta nests in the Mediterranean each year are made in Greece, but these turtles winter in Tunisia or the north Adriatic. The comparison of the number of nests from 1983 to date has shown that 2018 is not a record year for Zakynthos or Kyparissiakos gulf and unfortunately does not show any change in the decreasing trend of number of nests on Crete.
After the interesting and emotional snapshots that were presented, we were informed that a fairy tale titled "A Love Story in the Mediterranean" was published and released for ARCHELON’s 35th anniversary. In the end, the New Years Cake was cut and the lucky coin was found by Mr. Dimitris Kalaitzidakis, Chief Operating Officer of GRECOTEL, a friend of ARCHELON for many years. Wishing a great year to everyone!
For more information on the results of 2018 visit:
Α love story in the Mediterranean Sea
Four tags still transmitting- where are they now? Following the travels of loggerhead sea turtles from Kyparissia
RECENT NEWS
- OUR NEWS01/07/2025
Satellite Tagging Completed and Captured on Film in Crete
ARCHELON has just successfully completed the 2025 deployment of satellite transmitters on Loggerhead Sea Turtles (Caretta caretta) in Crete, as part of the ongoing LIFE MareNatura Project. This year’s work in Crete was extra special: the LIFE MareNatura Documentary team joined us in the field!
- OUR NEWS23/06/2025
Enjoy the Beaches Responsibly: Together We Protect the Sea Turtles of Kyparissia Bay!
So far, more than 2,000 nests have been recorded in the area. In order to best manage the protected beaches, we have adapted our field work protocols.
- OUR NEWS16/06/2025
World Sea Turtle Day: We can all live together!
Today, June 16th, we celebrate World Sea Turtle Day. On this occasion, ARCHELON expresses its warmest thanks to all citizens, volunteers, donors and supporters who actively contribute to our work.
- OUR NEWS10/06/2025
New Adaptation Strategies for Sea Turtles and Mediterranean Monk Seals
Institutions, associations and researchers will work for 5 years alongside the coastal communities to evaluate and respond to the effects of rising sea levels and ocean warming. These are to be developed through the ‘LIDE ADAPTS’ project which is being carried out in Italy, Greece and Cyprus.
- OUR NEWS08/06/2025
World Oceans Day: Conservation and Anthropogenic “Wounds” in Laganas Bay, Zakynthos
On the occasion of World Oceans Day, ARCHELON brings to the fore the challenges facing Laganas Bay, Zakynthos - one of the most important refuges of the loggerhead sea turtle in the Mediterranean.
- OUR NEWS06/06/2025
Sekania: History of the most precious refuge for the Loggerhead in Zakynthos
Sekania, a secluded 600-meter-long beach in Zakynthos, is a global model of success in biodiversity conservation, with more than 24,000 sea turtle nests recorded over the last 40 years.
- OUR NEWS05/06/2025
World Environment Day: Keeping Sea Turtle Nesting Beaches Safe from Plastics and Bulldozers
On June 5th, we celebrate World Environment Day, a day established by the United Nations in 1972. This year’s theme is #BeatPlasticPollution, and ARCHELON is calling for action on the sea turtle nesting beaches.
- OUR NEWS02/06/2025
Sea Turtles Return to Crete: A Shared Victory for Nature and Sustainable Travel
ARCHELON volunteers have just located the first sea turtle nests of the season on the beaches of Rethymno, Messara, and Chania. Now the challenge to prove that tourism destinations on Crete can make a significant move towards sustainability is on again.
- 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.