The nesting sea turtles in south Peloponnese
The ARCHELON projects for monitoring and protection of the nesting loggerhead sea turtles in Romanos, Koroni, and on the beaches of Lakonikos bay started at the end of May and were completed by the end of September 2021.According to preliminary data, a total of 650 nests were recorded in 29 km of beach surveyed. In addition, the researchers / volunteers of the ARCHELON projects informed about 2000 visitors in the areas of Koroni and Lakonikos.
"We thank the researchers, volunteers and field leaders, who, despite the difficult conditions of the pandemic, carried out these activities", says Galini Samlidou, biologist, Project Manager of ARCHELON for the Peloponnese.
The activities in Romanos were carried out by Costas Teneketzis. Neil Davis was the Monitoring Coordinator In Koroni. The Field Leaders in Lakonikos were Thanos Michailidis (Monitoring Coordinator) and Constance Giradeau (Monitoring Leader). Electra Athinaiou was the Project Assistant in south Peloponnese.
One of the critical measures for allowing space on beach for the nesting of sea turtles is the removal of beach furniture at night. "Local businesses in Koroni implemented this measure throughout the season and, from mid-July onwards, businesses on most of the beaches of Lakonikos bay implemented it as well. We hope that all Municipalities and businesses will be supportive next summer", adds Galini.
But what happened when the nests in Lakonikos started to hatch? It was observed that hatchlings, which had already entered the sea, were coming out again on land, disoriented by photo-pollution on the coast. "The problem of lights in the coastal zone of Lakonikos remained extremely intense - we hope for a wider cooperation and better results in the coming years," says Panagiota Theodorou, Coordinator of legal and institutional issues of ARCHELON. "An example to imitate, was the cooperation of ARCHELON with the Costa Navarino hotel units on Romanos beach in Messinia, who made sure that the conditions on the beach were ideal for sea turtle nesting", she adds.
The main nesting beaches of the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) in south Peloponnese have been included in 2 Natura 2000 sites, as follows:
-Beaches of Lakonikos bay: Mavrovouni, Vathi, Selinitsa, Valtaki (total 8.4km.) and Evrota (15km.) in the site GR2540003
- Koroni beach Zaga Memi (2.7km) and Romanou beach (2.7km) in the site GR2550010.
More information on the projects for volunteers:
Koroni: https://www.archelon.gr/eng/volunt_kor.php?mid=2&mid2=53&mid3=59
Lakonikos: https://www.archelon.gr/eng/volunt_lak.php?mid=2&mid2=53&mid3=58
The questionnaire on sustainable tourism destinations
The challenge of the nesting sea turtles on Crete
RECENT NEWS
- 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.
- OUR NEWS20/02/2025
From the ARCHELON’s Rescue Centre in Egypt!
A sea turtle, previously rehabilitated at the ARCHELON’s Rescue Centre, has once again made headlines, this time internationally. The tagged turtle was discovered weak and injured on an Egyptian beach after the recent rough seas. This incident, as reported by the Egyptian news agency, underscores the ongoing need to protect the fragile Mediterranean marine environment.
- OUR NEWS17/02/2025
ARCHELON's turtle toy travels the country with students and teachers
We would like to warmly thank all the schools that participated in the Online Tours during the 2023-2024 school year and spread the message of sea turtle protection to the ends of the country! The online tours for the current school year have already started.
- OUR NEWS12/02/2025
Online Presentation of Results 2024
Last year, 500 volunteers from all over the world came to help turtles in Greece! What did they achieve? Join us to find out!
- OUR NEWS11/02/2025
Historic Green Sea Turtle Nest Discovered on Rhodes Island, Greece
This species is globally endangered and the recent discovery is particularly significant as it suggests a possible shift in green turtle breeding areas.
- OUR NEWS04/02/2025
Joanne's Lifelong Passion: volunteering at the ARCHELON Sea Turtle Rescue Centre
Joanne's lifelong passion for sea turtles led her to volunteer at the ARCHELON Sea Turtle Rescue Centre in Greece, where she dedicates her time to educating visitors and contributing to the organization's conservation efforts.
- OUR NEWS02/02/2025
2 years of joint systematic efforts to protect Greece's largest wetland