25/05/2018

Two Caretta caretta nests with the beginning of the ARCHELON program in Chania!

dyo-fwlies-kareta-me-thn-enarksh-tou-programmatos-tou-arxelwn-sta-xania-Xania_prwth_fwlia18.jpg

Caretta caretta sea turtles live in our seas since ancient times. Adult turtles visit the Cretan beaches in the summer, to lay their eggs. Approximately 2 months later, the eggs hatch and thousands of hatchlings run to the sea, where they are will spend the rest of their lives. According to ARCHELON’s records, a significant decrease in the number of Caretta caretta nests in Crete has been observed over the past decade and the hopes of preserving this subpopulation, which is genetically distinct from the others in the Mediterranean, are decreasing.

The nesting beaches of sea turtles in Chania have been included in the Natura 2000 network, and there are specific legal provisions to protect them.

Recently, relevant responsibilities of the National Forest Management Authority of Samaria-West Crete Municipality were established. The necessary protection measures are implemented with the apprehension and cooperation of the Municipality of Chania and Platanias, the Regional Directorate of Public Property of Crete and the Central Port Authority of Chania.

In order to improve the implementation of the protection measures this year, and hope to preserve the “Cretan” subpopulation of Caretta caretta, here is a list of guidelines for all, visitors and businessmen, to follow at nesting beaches:

A meeting between ARCHELON representatives, the National Forest Management Authority of Samaria-West Crete Municipality, the Chania and Platania Municipality, the Regional Center of Public Property of Crete and the Central Port Authory of Chania will be held on Friday May 25th, where the implementation of the legislation for the previous year will be evaluated and further actions for its more effective implementation will be discussed.

You can reach out to ARCHELON volunteers daily at the Information Station at Chania Old Port, and on the nesting beaches from Kato Stallo to Kolympari in the Chania bay, from 05:00am.

Information:

Odysseas Paxinos, Crete Program Coordinator, ARCHELON, tel: 6937352379, email: archelon.crete@archelon.com

fb: ARCHELON Crete, ARCHELON, the official page

( translation: Danai Kyriaki)

RECENT NEWS

  1. OUR NEWS
    02/07/2025

    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

    Read more
  2. OUR NEWS
    01/07/2025

    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!

    Read more
  3. OUR NEWS
    23/06/2025

    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.

    Read more
  4. OUR NEWS
    16/06/2025

    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.

    Read more
  5. OUR NEWS
    10/06/2025

    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.

    Read more
  6. OUR NEWS
    08/06/2025

    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.

    Read more
  7. OUR NEWS
    06/06/2025

    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.

    Read more
  8. OUR NEWS
    05/06/2025

    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.

    Read more
  9. OUR NEWS
    02/06/2025

    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.

    Read more
  10. OUR NEWS
    29/05/2025

    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.

    Read more
  11. OUR NEWS
    22/05/2025

    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!

    Read more
  12. OUR NEWS
    16/05/2025

    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!

    Read more
  13. OUR NEWS
    15/05/2025

    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?

    Read more
  14. OUR NEWS
    07/05/2025

    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!

    Read more
  15. OUR NEWS
    24/04/2025

    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.

    Read more
1 out of 0
Subscribe to our newsletter!
Learn about our latest actions and find out about our programs and how you can help sea turtles!