"Tourists and turtles?" The environmental awareness campaign of ARCHELON spreads to the nesting beaches of the Loggerhead sea turtle
It is already April, and most of the Loggerhead turtle that have started their reproductive migration this year in the Mediterranean have already approached their nesting areas, i.e. the beaches where they themselves hatched as small turtles decades ago.
"We expect them to start coming out and making nests on Greek beaches in late May, especially in Laganas Bay of Zakynthos, Kyparissiakos Bay, Koroni, Lakonikos Bay, Rethymno, Chania and Messara Bay," says Michalis Souroulides, Field Project Coordinator at ARCHELON. "At the same time, the first tourists will start arriving, who need to be informed about the miracle of life that is happening in these places and how they can help protect the reproduction of sea turtles," he continues.
According to available scientific data, 45% of the nests of the Loggerhead sea turtle in the Mediterranean are recorded by ARCHELON with the help of volunteers and protected on a total of approximately 100 kilometers of Greek coastline. In the above areas, volunteers also try to inform visitors by operating seasonal information stations, giving presentations at hotels and organizing events.
There is already cooperation with dozens of hotels, but the number of visitors to the sites is constantly increasing. Thus, a new communication and collaboration strategy will start to be implemented in ARCHELON's field projects with hotels located on nesting beaches as well as with hotels that hold the Green Key in these areas.
"This year, we will try to ensure that information on the appropriate code of conduct for visitors reaches all nesting beaches of ARCHELON's projects. The key to the success of the awareness campaign is cooperation with the tourism sector, and especially hotels," says environmental scientist Thanos Bollas, Sustainable Tourism Officer at the organization. The training of field leaders and volunteers in each project will be adapted accordingly.
Visitors will also have the opportunity to participate in the Sea Turtle Beach Walks, i.e. to take a walk with our volunteers on some of the nesting beaches. These walks take place during the summer months and are part of ARCHELON's environmental awareness program with the aim of highlighting the correct interactions between humans and sea turtles, as well as the need to preserve coastal ecosystems.
If you work in the tourism sector near a sea turtle nesting beach, please contact ARCHELON (phone: +30 6932600182, email: tourism@archelon.gr, Thanos Bollas, Sustainable Tourism Officer) to learn how you can help sea turtles this summer.
If you are a resident of, or intend to visit, one of the loggerhead nesting areas in Greece this summer, see here for the basic code of conduct and take part in an educational walk on a nesting beach.
Coordination for the protection of sea turtles in Rethymno: Local authorities and tourism businesses join forces
LIFE MareNatura - The largest marine biodiversity program in Greece
RECENT NEWS
- 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.
- 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.