The Cretan hospitality has welcomed the first nest of 2017
After a long waiting, restless efforts and patience the researchers of ARCHELON in Rethymno, recorded on 4 June in the morning, the first nest of 2017 in Crete, in the region Sfakaki.
The daily life of the association’s volunteers includes an early awakening in the morning to check and record the nesting beaches natural state and to find traces of sea turtles that will lead them to their nests. During a process that may last plenty of hours, the volunteers having lots of patience and love towards that rare species, that continues to visit the island of Crete, stay at the beach until they detect and protect the nests.
The first nest was located in Rethymno on a beach in the region Sfakaki. Due to the expand erosion of the ground, the beach has shrunk and there is not the required safe space for the nests. Therefore, the researchers have to relocate them to more secure spots, in order not to be ruined by the wave.
The Cretan sea turtles prove to us for another year, that they are the most ancient visitors of the island, honoring it with their presence. We hope and wish the Cretan hospitality, that is famous all around the world, continues to welcome the sea turtles and that keeps protecting and preserving the natural habitat, by just applying the simple protection measures that ARCHELON suggests. The protection measures refer not only to the specie but also to the nesting beaches. Those very important beaches are visited by a large number of tourists every year, for the exact same reasons that the sea turtles do. For the quality of the beaches, for their sandy landscape and the good climate. The volunteers of ARCHELON, who are located on three nesting beaches in Crete, the gulf of Rethymno, the gulf of Chania and the gulf of Messara, wish you a great summer and wait to inform you and make you daydream with their stories about the island of Crete and the “Cretan” sea turtles.
You can find the volunteers of ARCHELON, daily at the informative spots of our association, at the Venetian Port of Rethymno, the old port of Chania and at the entrance of Matala beach. They may also be found, daily from 05:00 in the morning, at the beaches of three regions (from Delphini to Skaleta in the gulf of Rethymno, from Kato Stallo to Kolympari in the gulf of Chania and from Chomo to Kokkinos Pyrgos in the gulf of Messara).
Information: Nikolopoulou Athanasia, ACHELON Crete Program Coordinator, tel.: +30 6937352379 fb: ARCHELON Crete, ARCHELON, the official page
(translation: Ourania Theodorakakou)
Joanne, whatʼs new at the Rescue Centre (April 2017)?
Dead sea turtle in Zakynthos
RECENT NEWS
- OUR NEWS18/12/2024
An injured Loggerhead sea turtle returns to the ARCHELON Rescue Centre with plastics in its digestive system.
Greece has made progress in cutting down on plastic bag use, but we all need to do more. Sea pollution from plastic is still a major threat, harming both people and marine life.
- OUR NEWS06/12/2024
ARCHELON is on the Frontline of Sea Turtle Rescue in the Mediterranean.
For the first time, we have conducted CT scans for accurate diagnoses and started special blood tests and ultrasounds to monitor the health of sea turtles under our care.
- OUR NEWS03/12/2024
Summer 2025: Lead the Way in Sea Turtle Conservation and become a Field Leader with ARCHELON!
A limited number of experienced and capable volunteers are selected each year for the positions of Field Leaders on the ARCHELON projects. Applications and short CVs for 2025 are now accepted!
- OUR NEWS25/11/2024
Make this gift-giving season more magical: Adopt a Sea Turtle for your loved ones!
Whether it's for the wildlife lover in your life, or someone who cares about the planet, an adoption from ARCHELON is a present that keeps on giving.
- OUR NEWS18/11/2024
A Nest of Hope: Keanu's Journey with ARCHELON
Keanu Groeneveld, a Wildlife Management student from the Netherlands, recently completed an internship with ARCHELON at the Sea Turtle Conservation Project in Rethymno, Crete. His experience was more than ever expected; it was a transformative journey that ignited his passion for wildlife conservation.
- OUR NEWS12/11/2024
Turtle protection through satellite trackers: TUI Care Foundation and conservation organisation ARCHELON release sea turtle in Greece
Triton was released back into the Mediterranean Sea with a satellite transmitter after several months of rehabilitation at ARCHELON's Sea Turtle Rescue Centre. As part of the TUI Turtle Aid programme, the initiative aims to contribute valuable insights into sea turtle behaviour.
- OUR NEWS11/11/2024
A very exciting nesting record confirms the recovery of the Loggerhead population breeding in Kyparissia Bay, Greece!
This year, ARCHELON has recorded a new nesting record: 6,700 Loggerhead nests in the core nesting area of Kyparissia Bay.
- OUR NEWS28/10/2024
A wildlife symbol turned into a macabre tourist attraction
Αn embalmed Loggerhead sea turtle was found on public display in front of one of the Kastos island’s taverns.
- OUR NEWS23/10/2024
Growing Beyond Boundaries: A Volunteer's Transformation
“Through volunteering in Chania, I was able to go beyond my limits and discover a new world,” says Hyerim Ryu, explaining her motivation and sharing her experience of 5 weeks volunteering with ARCHELON.
- OUR NEWS18/10/2024
Is there any progress on establishing an all-embracing Marine Park in the Ionian Sea?
We are awaiting the results of the study with great interest, as the establishment of the new Marine Park in the Ionian Sea will be a landmark for the protection of sea turtles in the Mediterranean.
- OUR NEWS16/10/2024
Greece's Marine Protected Areas remain unprotected
A new report, by nine environmental organizations, identifies serious deficiencies in the protection of the most important Greek marine habitats, stressing the urgent need for immediate action
- OUR NEWS14/10/2024
2025 Projects: Is it your turn to save the sea turtles?
ARCHELON is thrilled to announce the volunteering projects for 2025. If you're passionate about nature conservation and eager to make a positive impact, we invite you to join our dedicated team of volunteers.
- OUR NEWS30/09/2024
Reunite with Your Passion: Become an ARCHELON Ambassador!
Are you passionate about sea turtle conservation and want to make a positive impact on their survival? Becoming an ARCHELON ambassador is a fantastic way to contribute to this important cause.
- OUR NEWS27/09/2024
Transforming Rethymno: Sustainable tourism opportunities with the sea turtle as ambassador
With sea turtles as its ambassadors, Rethymno has the opportunity to become a global leader in sustainable tourism. By offering responsible ecotourism experiences, the tourism industry can create a legion of passionate advocates for ocean conservation.
- OUR NEWS18/09/2024
Counting the Loggerhead nests in Zakynthos - the work of an army of ants
For the past 41+ years, ARCHELON has been counting annually nests laid by loggerhead turtles on the island of Zakynthos, one of most important nesting areas in the Mediterranean.