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 NEWS15/07/2024
Ecotourism in Peloponnese and Crete: Explore a Loggerhead sea turtle nesting beach
ARCHELON offers a unique ecological experience for the lucky and aware travelers who will find themselves this summer on important Loggerhead sea turtle nesting beaches that the Association protects.
- OUR NEWS26/06/2024
Sea Turtles Surprise us: if you see tracks on the beach, help ARCHELON's research!
Not all beaches on Greece's extensive coastline are suitable for sea turtle nesting, but sometimes these marine reptiles surprise us! This summer, ARCHELON is asking for your help to investigate a phenomenon called "sporadic nesting".
- OUR NEWS17/06/2024
ATTENTION! Sea turtles are not pets: Do not touch them or feed them!
In areas where a sea turtle associates human presence with food, it’s behavior changes. The turtle treats humans as well as other turtles as competitors in its feeding grounds and tries to drive them away with bites.
- OUR NEWS16/06/2024
30 Years of Hope: The Sea Turtle Rescue Centre of ARCHELON Celebrates World Sea Turtle Day
Every year on June 16th, we celebrate World Sea Turtle Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness about these magnificent creatures and the threats they face. This year is particularly important for ARCHELON, as the Sea Turtle Rescue Centre marks 30 years of operation.
- OUR NEWS13/06/2024
Poster contest for children and young adults: Welcome the 2024 turtle hatchlings on the beaches!
Watercolors, markers, collage, computer, phone? Everything is useful. Use your creativity and imagination to make an A3 or A4 size poster announcing that the 2024 sea turtle eggs are about to hatch.
- OUR NEWS17/05/2024
Amvrakikos Project 2024: 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 NEWS16/05/2024
Τhe nesting of loggerhead sea turtles started earlier this year and the effects of the climate crisis on the oceans are worrying
For the first time, in the 40 years of ARCHELON records, the first sea turtle nest was found in Laganas Gulf, Zakythos on May 10th. Scientific predictions of the nesting season moving earlier in the spring due to climate change are being confirmed.
- OUR NEWS14/05/2024
Save Turtles, See Greece on a Budget
Dreaming of pristine Greek beaches and a chance to make a real difference? Here's why June and September are the perfect months to volunteer with sea turtle conservation efforts in Greece!
- OUR NEWS02/05/2024
Sea Turtle Festival for Kids 2024
Save the date! On Saturday 18 May at 11:00, the ARCHELON Rescue Centre opens its doors to welcome young and old sea turtle friends who want to celebrate, explore, learn, play and travel magically in the Mediterranean Sea. We are waiting for you to strengthen our message for a better and sustainable planet!
- OUR NEWS02/05/2024
A successful year for the International Sea Turtle Symposium
The International Sea Turtle Symposium concluded triumphantly this March in Pattaya, Thailand, with ARCHELON actively participating.
- OUR NEWS29/04/2024
A Morning Beach Patrol with ARCHELON
The camera lens of Stefanos and Maria of SteMajourneys caught a rare sight in the early morning: a Loggerhead sea turtle nesting! The volunteers in Chania took action right away to protect the nest.
- OUR NEWS26/04/2024
Protecting sea turtles in Rethymno- Our Ocean, an Ocean of Potential
The 9th International Conference "Our Ocean", which was held in Athens from April 15 to 17, was successfully completed. ARCHELON had the honor to actively take part in the conference and hosted a side event.
- OUR NEWS12/04/2024
Coordination for the protection of sea turtles in Rethymno: Local authorities and tourism businesses join forces
The meeting, which took place on April 5, 2024, in the building of the Regional Unit of Rethymno, touched upon key issues, such as the observance of conservation measures for the protection of the Loggerhead sea turtle. Given the tourist activity on the nesting beaches, the active participation of the tourism sector in the implementation of the measures is necessary.
- OUR NEWS10/04/2024
"Tourists and turtles?" The environmental awareness campaign of ARCHELON spreads to the nesting beaches of the Loggerhead sea turtle
After the pandemic, ARCHELON - the Sea Turtle Protection Society of Greece - is once again mobilizing on the path to sustainable tourism. The aim of the new campaign is to provide information on the appropriate code of conduct for visitors to all nesting beaches, in cooperation with the tourism sector.
- OUR NEWS04/04/2024
LIFE MareNatura - The largest marine biodiversity program in Greece