Sekania, a secluded 600-meters-long beach in Laganas Bay in Zakynthos, is a global model of success in biodiversity conservation. Since it was “discovered” as a key nesting site in 1977, ARCHELON has worked tirelessly—through field research, government lobbying, and negotiations—to safeguard this precious ecosystem. Today, Sekania remains the jewel of loggerhead turtle conservation in Greece, having contributed more than 1.5 million hatchlings to the sea over the past four decades.

ARCHELON researchers/volunteers continue the nest recording and long-term population monitoring project in Sekania every summer in collaboration with the National Marine Park of Zakynthos (Management Unit of NECCA). “It is not just about protecting the turtle’s nesting site. The history of Sekania proves that patience, scientific documentation and goodwill can overcome any obstacle,” said Dimitris Margaritoulis, co-founder and member of the ARCHELON Scientific Committee.

Private Land Becomes a Wildlife Refuge

In the 1980s, Sekania was threatened by potential tourist development, as the land behind the beach was privately owned. The legislation of the time did not allow expropriation for environmental purposes. ARCHELON began a marathon of dialogue with the owner family, seeking alternative solutions. The decisive turning point came in 1989, when, after several years of building trust, the family agreed to sell the land—on the condition that a significant sum of money be deposited within a week!

The response was immediate. The late Dr. Luc Hoffmann, co-founder of WWF International, personally mobilized and secured the purchase of 330 acres on behalf of the then-under-construction WWF Greece. The final contract was signed in 1994, forever securing Sekania as a wildlife refuge.

Today, Sekania is a Zone of Absolute Protection within the National Marine Park of Zakynthos, with a complete ban on human presence —except for scientific research.

ARCHELON’s long-term monitoring of Sekania from 1984 to 2023 has yielded impressive results:

• Total number of nests: 24,427
• Estimated eggs: 2,702,089
• Estimated hatchlings: over 1,500,000
• Average nesting density: 1,018 nests/km/year
• Participation of Sekania in the total Laganas Bay nesting activity: 50%

Challenges of the Future

Despite the success, climate change is creating new challenges. Sea level rise could reduce the available beach by 70%, with the steep slopes behind Sekania preventing the shoreline from receding. Rising temperatures inside turtle nests are affecting the sex of hatchlings. Although temperatures are not yet at levels that cause mortality, the future of the turtles is uncertain as more and more hatchlings turn out female.

However, thanks to improved management on other beaches in the Bay, such as eastern Laganas and Marathonisi, nesting density has decreased at Sekania, as turtles return more frequently to other beaches. This, together with the temperature diversity that ensures gender balance, strengthens the overall resilience of the population.

“Sekania will always be the heart of sea turtle nesting in Zakynthos,” said ARCHELON President Thomas Arapis, “but our experience shows that all beaches count. Coordinated protection is the key to a sustainable future.” The story of Sekania is an international model for successful nature protection, thanks to the collaboration between citizens, scientists, local communities and international organizations.

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