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 NEWS31/07/2025
ATTENTION! Please do not feed sea turtles – They are not pets- Protect them from human induced impacts
ARCHELON informs that the phenomenon of feeding sea turtles by people in coastal areas, ports and tourist spots has been observed in recent years. Despite good intentions, this practice causes serious problems – for turtles and for people alike.
- OUR NEWS25/07/2025
New Info Station in Kyparissia Opens for LIFE MareNatura Project
Located at the beachfront of the town, the Info Station operates daily 18:30 - 21:00.
- OUR NEWS21/07/2025
Public Excavations of Sea Turtle Nests in Crete
The excavations are open for both kids and adults and take place on the nesting beaches of Rethymno, Chania, and the Messara Bay during the months of August and September.
- OUR NEWS21/07/2025
Public Excavations of Sea Turtle Nests in the Peloponnese
The excavations are open for both kids and adults and take place on the nesting beaches of Kyparissia Bay, Romanos, Koroni and Lakonikos Bay during the months of August and September.
- OUR NEWS16/07/2025
Earlier than ever before was the start of the 2025 Hatching Season of Loggerheads in Greece – The first hatchlings have reached the sea!
We are excited to announce the beginning of the 2025 sea turtle hatching season, with the earliest hatching event ever recorded since monitoring began in 1984.
- OUR NEWS15/07/2025
Important presentations at the 16th International Congress on the Zoogeography and Ecology of Greece and Adjacent Regions (ICZEGAR)
ARCHELON actively contributed to the Congress with three oral presentations, highlighting key aspects of its scientific and conservation work for sea turtles.
- 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.