TRIBUTE TO THE WORLD SEA TURTLE DAY. TURTLES AND HUMANS- CAN WE ALL LIVE TOGETHER?
This special day, the 16th of June, is dedicated to all sea turtle conservation projects, be it protection of nesting beaches or rescue and rehabilitation in the world! It is exactly on these sites that we see the print of another kind of relationship of society and nature.
The battle for the survival of “Chris, the Fish” was lost in ARCHELON’s Rescue only a few days ago. She was found on Milos island in December 2018. She carried a wound on the head from a deliberate attack by humans. The wound had caused serious infections in the plastron. “We used every means that was available to us, and more of 150 hours of intensive care, still the battle was lost for another tiny piece of the puzzle of the Earth, one of those which make it an amazing and beautiful planet” said a dedicated volunteer of the Center.
Fish in our seas will not become more abundant if sea turtles go extinct. On the contrary, sea turtles contribute to the good condition of sea grass meadows, where many fish spawn. Sea turtles are a component of the marine ecosystem.
Amongst the countries of the European Union, Greece is the country with the highest number of small fishing vessels (less than 12m long, except for trawlers). Their number rises to 14,538 and they comprise 94% of the Greek fishing fleet. Overfishing in our seas does not allow many species to reach their reproduction size. The first step in saving marine life is to find out about the fish on our table, how and where they were caught.
Another World Sea Turtle Day issue for us, in ARCHELON, is the potential impact of the announced trials for hydrocarbon extraction close to all sea turtle nesting sites in Greece. Now it is appropriate that people share their opinion on this matter as well as on moving towards alternative energy sources.
Sea turtles have been swimming in the waters of our blue planet for 110 million years. We can see them depicted on ancient Greek coins, such as the stater of Aegina.They were a symbol of wellbeing and longevity. The continuation of this co-existence is in our hands.
ARCHELON is very happy to announce that loggerhead sea turtles have made their appearance in laying eggs on Greek beaches. The first nest was made on Zakynthos on 25/5, then the Peloponnese followed with Kotychi on 30/5, Kyparissia on 1/6 and Lakonikos gulf on 9/6. The firs nest of Crete was found on Rethymno beach on 1/6 and Chania followed on 6/6.
ARCHELON’s research teams are by the nesting beaches to support the protection of the nests. Local authorities and the Agencies for the management of protected areas are well informed about the existing regulations. Beach cleanings have been organized in all nesting beaches.
It seems as humans and sea turtles can live together.
The nesting season has officially begun in Koroni - Messinia!
Take Me There®: Greece is the new exhibition at the famous Children’s Museum of Indianapolis
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.