The World of Turtles awards the lifetime achievement of Dimitris Margaritoulis
The International Sea Turtle Society organizes the Annual Symposium on Sea Turtle Biology and Conservation at a different location every year. This year's symposium, titled “The World of Turtles” took place from April 24 to 30 in Goa, India, with 450 participants from 60 countries.
ARCHELON is a member of the International Sea Turtle Society and has a significant presence every year, while in 2006 it organized the symposium in Agia Pelagia of Crete. Once again, ARCHELON was present with the participation of eight of its members and colleagues, and the presentation of research with three oral presentations and three posters.
The culmination of the symposium for ARCHELON's team came at the farewell banquet, with the announcement that the lifetime achievement award is given to Dimitris Margaritoulis. During the award ceremony, special reference was made to his long-term work, which brought sea turtles of the Mediterranean Sea at the forefront of the world's scientific community, and to his support to programmes for the study and protection of sea turtles in many countries of the region.
Aliki Panagopoulou, ARCHELON's projects coordinator, presented Dimitris Margaritoulis with a story of all she has learned from him and of the fact that after fifteen years of experience she continues to be inspired by his vision and his collaborative character. She also talked of the close friendship and collaboration between members of programmes in the Mediterranean Sea, who at the time had formed their own Mediterranean basin amongst the crowded venue and cheered for the awarding of the man that has brought them close.
ARCHELON indeed continues to be one of the largest globally organizations in the number of volunteers that participate in its projects for the protection of loggerhead sea turtles in Greece. It also conducts and participates in scientific research which is important for the conservation of sea turtles in the Mediterranean Sea and for increasing knowledge of their biology. During each symposium we have the pleasant opportunity to meet volunteers of ARCHELON from previous years, who have continued working for the study and protection of sea turtles in other countries and organizations, or have started their own innovative projects.
This symposium was characterized by an significant participation of researchers from the region of South Asia and the Indian Ocean, and the focus on projects that deal with resolving social and financial problems faced by residents of isolated coastal areas and artisan fishermen, whose collaboration is valuable for the conservation of sea turtles.
To mark the end of the symposium, the president of ISTS Kartik Shanker passed the baton to the president-elect Jeffrey Seminoff, who will organize the symposium in San Diego, California, in April 2011. Nikos Vallianos, Aberdeen, UK
The 30th International Annual Symposium on Sea Turtles Biology and Conservation
NEW VOLUNTEER CATEGORIES IN ARCHELON
RECENT NEWS
- 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.
- OUR NEWS10/06/2025
New Adaptation Strategies for Sea Turtles and Mediterranean Monk Seals
Institutions, associations and researchers will work for 5 years alongside the coastal communities to evaluate and respond to the effects of rising sea levels and ocean warming. These are to be developed through the ‘LIDE ADAPTS’ project which is being carried out in Italy, Greece and Cyprus.
- OUR NEWS08/06/2025
World Oceans Day: Conservation and Anthropogenic “Wounds” in Laganas Bay, Zakynthos
On the occasion of World Oceans Day, ARCHELON brings to the fore the challenges facing Laganas Bay, Zakynthos - one of the most important refuges of the loggerhead sea turtle in the Mediterranean.
- OUR NEWS06/06/2025
Sekania: History of the most precious refuge for the Loggerhead in Zakynthos
Sekania, a secluded 600-meter-long beach in Zakynthos, is a global model of success in biodiversity conservation, with more than 24,000 sea turtle nests recorded over the last 40 years.
- OUR NEWS05/06/2025
World Environment Day: Keeping Sea Turtle Nesting Beaches Safe from Plastics and Bulldozers
On June 5th, we celebrate World Environment Day, a day established by the United Nations in 1972. This year’s theme is #BeatPlasticPollution, and ARCHELON is calling for action on the sea turtle nesting beaches.
- OUR NEWS02/06/2025
Sea Turtles Return to Crete: A Shared Victory for Nature and Sustainable Travel
ARCHELON volunteers have just located the first sea turtle nests of the season on the beaches of Rethymno, Messara, and Chania. Now the challenge to prove that tourism destinations on Crete can make a significant move towards sustainability is on again.
- 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.