Special equipment for people at sea to help sea turtles
Is it possible to release a sea turtle entangled in longlines without hurting it and tearing the nets too much? Yes, according to the Hellenic Center for Marine Research (HCMR), with the use of "the cutter"; their innovative telescopic tool, which was developed in collaboration with ARCHELON for this purpose. With this tool one can help without hurting the animal and without damaging extensively the nets. The testing of the cutter is one of the activities of the Life Euroturtles project, a collaboration between 6 Mediterranean countries of the EU.
The cutter was presented to fishermen for testing in Chania, Crete last March. ARCHELON’s Athanasia Nikolopoulou went to Crete, met with the fishermen and took pictures. We are happy for this collaboration and expect their feedback in a reasonable period of time. Photographs below are from the visit to Chania.
A few days ago ARCHELON’s Anna Lamaj visited for the same reason, the National Marine Park of Alonnisos with HCMR, the first Marine Park founded in Greece in 1992. An informative meeting with locals and fishermen of the area took place to discuss with them the importance of sea turtles and the dangers they face. Many locals were eager to receive the necessary training in the use of the cutter, the tools and other equipment which were delivered.
In both visits the e-turtle smart phone application was also presented. E-turtle is an easy to use app that allows you record and report how and when you see a turtle in the sea. Though the Life Euroturtles project, this app is already used in six Mediterranean countries, which are collaborating in the data collection platform. We hope more people in North Sporades will join them and help collect lots of valuable information on sea turtles in the Mediterranean.
The photo above is from our meeting in Alonissos. We would like to thank Mr. Argyris Kapantagakis from HCMR, Mrs. Niki Matzafleri from the Department of Fisheries of Magnesia and Sporades and ARCHELONs Anna Lamaj. We are thankful to the Municipality, the Alonnisos National Marine Park Management Authority and the Coast Guard for their cooperation.
You can download the e-turtle application for android here https://goo.gl/Jat9eL
For more information about the telescopic cutter, please contact: Elli Tarabe, ARCHELON Communication Officer, 210 5231342.
#Euroturtles #seaturtles #CitizenScience #eTurtle #LIFEproject #LIFEprogramme LIFE
A taste of a sea turtle arribada in the Pacific
Our microcosm is still expanding!
RECENT NEWS
- OUR NEWS29/08/2025
Turtle Run in Chania: Lace up your running shoes and get ready!
September 7th, Chania: Join the event and support the protection of one of the most iconic marine species in the Mediterranean.
- OUR NEWS27/08/2025
Citizens Help us Map Sea Turtle Sporadic Nesting in the Ionian Sea
This study is particularly important as it highlights the power of citizen science. Public eyes on beaches, outreach through online platforms and new reporting tools are expanding our understanding of turtle nesting beyond the beaches we monitor.
- OUR NEWS20/08/2025
A nesting turtle brings hope amidst a night of fire
After a 12-hour period filled with fear and uncertainty, the family witnessed a miracle of nature. “It brought us peace and reminded us of what is important”.
- OUR NEWS14/08/2025
ARCHELON’s Life-Saving Chain with the Support of the Green Fund
Thanks to persistence, medication, daily care, and a great deal of patience, “Snowball” gradually moved from a critical state to full recovery.
- OUR NEWS31/07/2025
ATTENTION! Please do not feed sea turtles – They are not pets- Protect them from human induced impacts
ARCHELON informs that the phenomenon of feeding sea turtles by people in coastal areas, ports and tourist spots has been observed in recent years. Despite good intentions, this practice causes serious problems – for turtles and for people alike.
- OUR NEWS25/07/2025
New Info Station in Kyparissia Opens for LIFE MareNatura Project
Located at the beachfront of the town, the Info Station operates daily 18:30 - 21:00.
- OUR NEWS21/07/2025
Public Excavations of Sea Turtle Nests in Crete
The excavations are open for both kids and adults and take place on the nesting beaches of Rethymno, Chania, and the Messara Bay during the months of August and September.
- OUR NEWS21/07/2025
Public Excavations of Sea Turtle Nests in the Peloponnese
The excavations are open for both kids and adults and take place on the nesting beaches of Kyparissia Bay, Romanos, Koroni and Lakonikos Bay during the months of August and September.
- OUR NEWS16/07/2025
Earlier than ever before was the start of the 2025 Hatching Season of Loggerheads in Greece – The first hatchlings have reached the sea!
We are excited to announce the beginning of the 2025 sea turtle hatching season, with the earliest hatching event ever recorded since monitoring began in 1984.
- OUR NEWS15/07/2025
Important presentations at the 16th International Congress on the Zoogeography and Ecology of Greece and Adjacent Regions (ICZEGAR)
ARCHELON actively contributed to the Congress with three oral presentations, highlighting key aspects of its scientific and conservation work for sea turtles.
- OUR NEWS09/07/2025
Inspections in Zakynthos and Kyparissia by representatives of the Bern Convention
The experts were in Greece to monitor the implementation of the Recommendations adopted by the Standing Committee of the Bern Convention to our country regarding the protection of the Loggerhead sea turtle and the ongoing threats faced by the species in its largest breeding habitats in the Mediterranean.
- OUR NEWS02/07/2025
Citizen Science: Recording of Sporadic Nesting of Sea turtles across the Aegean
For over four decades, many people have been reporting turtle sightings and tracks across the Greek coastline. Thanks to them, we have confirmed 577 unique nesting events outside our regularly monitored areas
- 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.