The Peloponnese is a very important region for the conservation of sea turtles in the Mediterranean
May 8 th , May 26 th and June 2 nd are the respective starting dates for ARCHELON’s conservation projects in the Peloponnese, which will be completed by the end of September. People from many countries, including Greece, many of them of young age, as well as groups and families are applying for participation in the loggerhead conservation projects on the nesting beaches of Kyparissia, Lakonikos and Koroni.
Hundreds of female loggerhead sea turtles have already started their journey to the nesting beaches of Greece. Almost half of the nests of this protected species in the Mediterranean, will be made in Greece. According to ARCHELON’s data, a total of about 6000 nests were recorded in the main nesting beaches of Greece in 2018 and 4300 of them were located in the Peloponnese. In other words, about 195.000 hatchlings from the beaches of Peloponnese reached the Mediterranean in 2018 and 173.000 from them came from nests protected by the volunteers of ARCHELON. Out of these thousands of hatchlings, few – at best one in a thousand- will make it to adulthood.
The Kyparissia project is the first to start, in the beginning of May, as the coastal waters of the Bay and the long sandy beach in this area, host one of the largest breeding populations of the loggerhead sea turtle in the Mediterranean. This area hosted more than 3200 nests in 2018 and since last October has been declared as Nature Protection Area. ARCHELON’s project includes monitoring and protection of nests against a number of pressures and public awareness.
Nesting of loggerheads is also observed in the beaches of Kotychi, north of Kyparissia Bay, where ARCHELON is recording and protecting nests for the last 2 years, in collaboration with the National Wetland Park there. Similarly, nests are recorded and protected in Romanos beach, near Pylos, south of Kyparissia Bay, in collaboration with COSTA NAVARINO.
The Lakonikos project, which comes second in number of nests in the Peloponnese, will start at the end of May. The project surveys and protects nests in the beaches of Evrotas, Valtaki, Selinitsa, Mavrovouni and Vathy. A total of about 500 nests were recorded in this project in 2018.
The beaches of Monemvasia and Elaphonisos are also monitored and sea turtle nests are protected by ARCHELON in collaboration with the local Society Tulipa Goulimis of Neapoli.
More than 500 people from Greece and worldwide, volunteer to participate in ARCHELON’s projects from May to September every year. Training on their duties is provided by experts and they have the opportunity to enhance their practical skills and experience being part of an international conservation team. More than 60 internships are provided every year in collaboration with 30 educational establishments.
Information about ARCHELON's programs in Zakynthos, Crete and the Peloponnese can be found on our website: https://www.archelon.gr.
If you are interested in participating in any of ARCHELON’s projects, please fill in the form online at: https://www.archelon.gr/eng/form_eng.php?mid=2&mid2=53&mid3=70
Participation in sea turtle conservation actions is not only possible, it’s fascinating: A look into the Kyparissia Bay project of ARCHELON
A high number of loggerhead nests on Zakynthos island in 2018: what else is needed to achieve good conservation status for the species in Laganas bay?
RECENT NEWS
- 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
- OUR NEWS28/01/2025
The ARCHELON Recap for 2024: We kept on fighting for Sea Turtles and the protection of the Oceans
2024 was the year that the recovery of the loggerhead sea turtle breeding population in Kyparissia Bay has been confirmed! This site now hosts the largest breeding population in the Mediterranean, which has been growing steadily in the past years thanks to the consistent long-term nest protection efforts of ARCHELON. It was also the warmest year globally on record when, on the side of our heavy core business workload, we made time to strengthen our commitment to volunteerism and sustainable tourism.