Today, June 16th, we celebrate World Sea Turtle Day, a day dedicated to these ancient and magnificent creatures that are an integral part of our seas. On this occasion, ARCHELON expresses its warmest thanks to all citizens, volunteers, donors and supporters who actively contribute to our work to protect sea turtles in Greece. The public's contribution to the effort to preserve sea turtles is enormous and decisive.

Special mention goes to all active citizens who report dead or injured turtles to ARCHELON's 24-hour Rescue Line.

ARCHELON began the effort to record incidents of dead turtles washing up on Greek shores in 1992, establishing the National Sea Turtle Rescue Network. Every year, ARCHELON receives phone calls, messages and reports from citizens and local Port Authorities across the country, along with photographs and other information about sea turtle strandings. This way, in 2024, we recorded 1,044 dead turtles on the Greek coastline, while already halfway through 2025, we have recorded 481 more incidents.

ARCHELON staff systematically examine each stranding report, with the aim of assessing the threats facing sea turtles by region. The results of long-term recordings reveal that the causes of turtle deaths are mainly related to accidental capture in fishing gear, ingestion of plastics and collisions with high-speed boats.

The Rescue Network is also activated in cases of reports of injured or sick turtles. In collaboration with citizens and local port authorities, animals in need of care are transferred to the Sea Turtle Rescue Centre that ARCHELON has set up in Glyfada, Attica since 1994. There, staff and trained volunteers provide care and treatment to the animals until their successful recovery and return to the sea. Citizens’ timely reports have saved dozens of lives.

We are only halfway through 2025 and the Rescue Centre has already received:

• 15 injured/sick turtles
• 39 volunteers from Greece and abroad
• 140 symbolic adoptions of sea turtles by visitors

“On this World Sea Turtle Day, we feel deep gratitude for the selfless contribution and dedication of all those who stand by our side,” says ARCHELON Director Daphne Mavrogiorgos. “Their love for nature and their practical support gives us the strength to continue our work with the same dedication. Protecting sea turtles is a collective effort, and every action, small or large, makes a difference.”

We can live together, this has been ARCHELON’s motto since 1983!

• If you encounter an injured or dead sea turtle in Greece, please call the Rescue Number immediately (+30)69 41 511 511.
• If you find a nest or baby turtles, fill out the Form.