Seven monitoring research projects for Caretta caretta during 2010, with ARCHELON support
- Environmental attitudes of volunteer conservationists. Hannah OʼMahoney, Cardiff University, UK
Hannah OʼMahoney is undertaking research funded by the British Economic and Social Research Council for an MSc in Social Science Research Methods at Cardiff University. Ιn-depth interviews will be conducted with volunteers participating in the Kyparissia Bay project, in order to explore their environmental beliefs and values. The analysis of data collected will help Hannah to make preliminary insights in order to pursue further research when she embarks on her PhD next September. Her interest at this point is to investigate the degree to which participantsʼ engagement with sea turtle conservation can be related to underlying pro-environmental values, and, through narrative analysis methods, investigate the relationship between environmentalism and self-perception.
- Effects of Artificial Light on Loggerhead Sea Turtles (Caretta caretta) at Nesting Beaches in Rethymno on Crete, Greece: A Case Study. Sebastian Richter, Phillipps-University Marburg, Germany
3) Impacts of Global Warming on the Ecology of Loggerhead Turtles in the Mediterranean Sea Samir Patel, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
Samir Patelʼs PhD project will span the next three seasons and includes attaching satellite telemetry systems on 30 adult female loggerheads nesting in Rethymno, Crete, in order to determine their post-nesting behavior. The telemetry systems provide several a variety of data, including locations, sea temperatures and depths experienced by each turtle. These data will allow Samir to determine how the turtles react and make use of the various conditions in the Mediterranean when returning from their nesting beaches to foraging sites. The ultimate goal is to use this information to predict how loggerhead turtles of the Mediterranean may react to the changing conditions of the sea associated with global warming. This project is undertaken under the guidance of Dr. Jim Spotila of Drexel University in Philadelphia, and Dr Steve Morreale of Cornell University, Ithaca New York for Samirʼs doctoral degree.
4) Thermal and spatial tracking of internesting loggerheads in Kyparissia Bay Tom Backof, Indiana Purdue University, Indiana, USA
5) An investigation of the gap between environmental awareness and environmentally friendly behaviour of tourists in Rethymno Natalie Pears, University of Nottingham, UK
The research is part of Natalieʼs dissertation for an MSc in Environmental Management. It is on environmentally responsible tourism, increasingly used to help protect the environment of holiday destinations by informing the tourists of the appropriate behaviour required. The project is taking place in Rethymno, Crete. As a nesting beach that is so heavily developed due to tourist activities, responsible tourism is extremely important. The study aims to analyse the information available on environmentally responsible tourism, how efficient it is and how effective it is at influencing tourist knowledge, attitudes and behaviours. Interviews will be conducted with those providing the information to determine their perspectives on responsible tourism. Using questionnaires, Natalie aims to determine efficiency, and how it affects tourist behaviour and attitudes towards the environment of their holiday destination.
6) Metabolism and gas exchange of loggerhead sea turtle nests in Zakynthos and Kyparissia Bay Jack Suss, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA USA
7) Inter-nesting behavior of loggerhead turtles in Rethymno, Crete, Greece Aliki Panagopoulou, Drexel University, Philadelphia PA, USA
This research is undertaken as part of Alikiʼs Masterʼs Thesis at Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA, USA. The study aims to look at the behaviour of sea turtles nesting in Rethymno, Crete during the period between two nesting events. Loggerhead sea turtles lay on average 1-4 clutches in a single season, with 13 – 22 days between each nesting event. The main objective of this project is to potentially identify areas these turtles prefer to be in and their swimming/diving patterns during those inter-nesting periods. To achieve this, radio transmitters and Time-Depth recorders are placed on nesting females during night survey work already undertaken by ARCHELON. This equipment is retrieved when the turtle returns to the beach about 15 days later. During the day, the location of the turtles is identified through radio tracking. The results of the study may play an important role in the compilation of management measures within the marine zone off the Rethymno nesting beach, helping to prevent casualties from speed boats or fishing activities.
“Rafael” from Zakynthos was released
People to People Crete 2010
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.