World Sea Turtle Day: We can all live together!
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.
RECENT NEWS
- 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.
- OUR NEWS29/05/2025
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.
- OUR NEWS22/05/2025
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!
- OUR NEWS16/05/2025
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!
- OUR NEWS15/05/2025
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?
- OUR NEWS07/05/2025
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!
- OUR NEWS24/04/2025
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.
- OUR NEWS22/04/2025
Turning the Tide: Sea Turtle Populations Show Signs of Recovery Worldwide
The first, after a decade, global study brings encouraging news for sea turtle conservation: more than half of their populations across the globe show signs of recovery. Listed among the authors is the Research Coordinator of ARCHELON, Aliki Panagopoulou PhD, who is mobilizing the long term field work of our Society on the nesting beaches of Greece.
- OUR NEWS17/04/2025
Special 2-week volunteering opportunity on the nesting beaches – we need you this May and June!
- OUR NEWS14/04/2025
Groundbreaking Study on Microplastic Pollution of Marine Turtle Nesting Beaches
ARCHELON took part in a recent global study that has uncovered alarming levels of microplastic contamination on marine turtle nesting beaches around the world.
- OUR NEWS09/04/2025
Become a Sea Turtle Guardian in Lakonikos Bay
Gracie and Claire, two dedicated individuals who made a significant impact on the sea turtle project of Lakonikos Bay in 2024, talked about their experience.