On the occasion of World Oceans Day on June 8th, 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. On the one hand, the number of nests on the nesting beaches (that are all part of the National Marine Park of Zakynthos) has been stable with a slightly upward trend over the last 2 years. On the other hand, the ecological degradation of the coastal environment, as well as the effects of climate crisis threaten the future of these ecosystems.

As in many places, the natural landscape of Zakynthos has been altered by tourist development. It is certain that the experience of the numerous summer visitors is not consistent with its ecological importance. The main untouched coastal pockets that remain are the dunes in eastern Laganas, Marathonisi, and most notably the isolated Sekania – an Area of Absolute Protection where human presence is prohibited.

Sekania: The Precious Sanctuary of the Loggerhead Turtle in Zakynthos

Sekania, an isolated 600-meter-long beach, is a global model of success in biodiversity conservation. Since its “discovery” as a key nesting site in 1977, ARCHELON has worked tirelessly—through field research, government lobbying, and negotiations—to secure this precious coastal ecosystem. Today, Sekania remains the jewel of loggerhead turtle conservation in Greece, having contributed more than 1.5 million hatchlings to the sea over the past four decades. However, the survival of these tiny creatures is a constant battle, as few of them will ever reach reproductive age due to natural predators and accidental capture in fishing gear

As Dimitris Margaritoulis, founder of ARCHELON, points out, “after years of intensive effort and close cooperation with WWF Greece, MEDASSET and the National Marine Park of Zakynthos, Sekania has received the protection it deserves. However, the “battle” continues for the protection of the other beaches and the marine area that are under increasing pressure from tourism.”

Climate Crisis: Rising Sea Levels and Temperatures in Nests

Rising sea levels threaten to gradually inundate narrow nesting beaches, reducing the available space for turtles to reproduce. Such a rise in sea level could reduce the available beach by 70%, with the steep slopes behind Sekania and other beaches preventing the retreat of the shoreline.

At the same time, the increasing temperatures inside the turtle nests affect the sex of hatchlings. Although temperatures are not yet at levels that cause mortality, the future of turtles is uncertain as more and more turtle hatchlings are becoming female.

Marathonisi, an islet in Laganas Bay, is of particular importance as it produces a comparatively higher number of males – a vital element for the conservation of the population. Despite building and anchoring bans, offenders continue to visit Marathonisi beaches in the summer, endangering this sensitive ecosystem.

Innovations and a model ecological destination

Despite Zakynthos’ global reputation as the turtle island, sustainability is absent from day-to-day management. A 2023 ARCHELON survey showed that 60% of volunteers do not consider Zakynthos a sustainable destination, while 80% state that tourism already has a negative impact on the nature of the island.

“Instead of looking for new “virgin” beaches for tourist development, let’s invest in the restoration of those that are already under pressure, transforming them into model ecological destinations”, suggests Thomas Arapis, President of ARCHELON. “To do this, there needs to be a substantial interest in the creation of innovative eco-tourism products and local initiatives, as well as cooperation for the implementation of practical measures”. There is already interest from existing hotel complexes that invest in the protection of the unique ecological characteristics of the area.

ARCHELON, with 42 years of uninterrupted action in Zakynthos and thousands of volunteers from all over the world, continues the work of recording and protecting the turtle nesting in Sekania and the other nesting beaches of Laganas Bay in collaboration with the National Marine Park of Zakynthos (under the Management Unit of NECCA).