The Conference in Morocco through the eyes of Anna Margaritouli
The 7th Mediterranean Conference on Sea Turtles was hosted in the coastal town of Tetouan, Morocco. More than 120 delegates participated from most Mediterranean countries, and also from America, Britain, Belgium, etc. Eight workshops were held, 37 posters were placed, and 92 oral presentations were given. There were also two key note plenary speeches delivered by two widely respected ‘turtlers’. Earl Possardt, from the US Fish and Wildlife Service spoke on the first day and our own Dimitris Margaritoulis on the second.
Earl's speech was on ‘Sea Turtle Conservation in the World’ and had a philosophical standpoint. ‘When we start doing something, it's good to ask ourselves why we're doing it’, he said. He once asked his students ‘Why do we protect the turtles’? One said because the turtles had to play their part in the ecosystem. Another said because turtles have rights on this planet. A third one said ‘We are trying to protect them. I do not know if we will succeed, but in the process, we become better people’! And with this phrase alone I was happy for the whole trip.
The second plenary speech was given by Dimitris Margaritoulis and it was titled ‘Sea Turtles in the Mediterranean: Personal Reflections’. ‘We didn't go to the turtles’, he said, ‘the turtles came to us’. He talked about the beginning of his sea turtle work, the willing assistance he had from American ‘giants’ of turtle science such as Archie Carr and his mentor Jack Frazier. He pointed out that the Mediterranean Sea was not always considered a separate marine entity for sea turtles, but rather just another gulf of the Atlantic. He reviewed the six previous Mediterranean Conferences and their great contribution to the development of Mediterranean cooperation. He criticized researchers who arrive ‘parachuting’ on the beaches and conduct research without interest in the local communities. He considers as an optimistic message the fact that so many dedicated young scientists work together, putting political and other differences aside. The audience stood up and applauded for at least 3 minutes. Some were moved. At one point he also called me to the podium and said, ‘We would be nothing without our wives’.
The conference takes place every three years. Each time the best presentation by a student is awarded and the president of the next conference is elected, in the country of whom, the next conference is held. The President of the Conference, Professor Mustapha Aksissou has been trying for many years to bring the conference to Morocco his homeland. He had significant help from his wife, Vafee, and his colleagues at the University. The student awarded was the ever-smiling Hamed Mallat from Tunisia. Aliki Panagopoulou from ARCHELON, was elected the next President, bringing the 8th Mediterranean Conference in Greece in 2025. So, plenty of work awaits us. I hope we organize it perfectly!
During the trip we had the opportunity to wander a bit in the streets of Tetouan, looking for the archaeological museum. From what we saw it seemed like a nice city, with majestic buildings, gardens and parks. We also saw a bit of the picturesque Medina, the old town, with its narrow streets. On the last night we went for dinner at a restaurant with live music. Although alcohol was completely absent, we had a great time as almost all the delegates danced or jumped to oriental rhythms.
In the end, despite the inconvenience of the trip (13 hours on the way and 16 on the way back), I think it was worth it. As for the conclusions on the Conference... I feel that, the work that has been done on sea turtles globally is so multi-faceted, well-documented and organized that it is disproportionate and unfair to the other animals! It is a shame, though, that the only time the word "education" came up was by ARCHELON, in the presentation of Yiannis Chalkias, as he also mentioned himself...
Environmental education is a key element of ARCHELON’s work through the years. Learn more about our educational activities here.
A successful year for Loggerhead nesting in Koroni- thanks to all our friends
Tom Scott, the first volunteer of the ARCHELON Sea Turtle Rescue Centre comes back for a visit!
RECENT NEWS
- 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.
- OUR NEWS17/04/2025
Special 2-week volunteering opportunity on the nesting beaches – we need you this May and June!
- OUR NEWS14/04/2025
Groundbreaking Study on Microplastic Pollution of Marine Turtle Nesting Beaches
ARCHELON took part in a recent global study that has uncovered alarming levels of microplastic contamination on marine turtle nesting beaches around the world.
- OUR NEWS09/04/2025
Become a Sea Turtle Guardian in Lakonikos Bay
Gracie and Claire, two dedicated individuals who made a significant impact on the sea turtle project of Lakonikos Bay in 2024, talked about their experience.
- OUR NEWS08/04/2025
Meeting of organizations, authorities and businessmen in Rethymno: Crete is preparing for the arrival of the turtles!
On Monday, April 7, we met for another year in the hospitable city of Rethymno to participate in the meeting organized by the Regional Unit of Rethymno on the topic of management measures for the protection of the loggerhead sea turtle!
- OUR NEWS31/03/2025
150 satellite tags for the protection of sea turtles
Since 2002, ARCHELON and its partners have placed 150 satellite and GSM tags on sea turtles monitoring their vast journeys across the Mediterranean!
- OUR NEWS24/03/2025
Become a Guardian of the Night: Volunteer with ARCHELON
On some select beaches, volunteer duties also include night patrols. During the hours when the presence of people on the nesting beaches is prohibited so as not to disturb the turtles, our trained volunteers start their shift, equipped with measuring instruments, research notebooks and red flashlights.
- OUR NEWS14/03/2025
Enriching the lives of rescued sea turtles
A recent study at ARCHELON's Sea Turtle Rescue Centre highlights the importance of environmental enrichment in improving the physical and psychological well-being of rescued sea turtles, aiding their rehabilitation and preparing them for successful release back into the wild.
- OUR NEWS24/02/2025
ARCHELON's Annual General Assembly
According to article 8 of the Statutes of ARCHELON Association, its’ members were invited to attend the Annual General Assembly on Saturday, 22 February 2025.