World’s first for ARCHELON’s latest findings
World Sea Turtle Day today and we are ready to share with you an important finding. After a relevant search by ARCHELON on all the turtles that were marked in Zakynthos, it was found that they can lay eggs for at least 33 years. The result of a 33 year reproductive longevity is the biggest amongst those published for the loggerheads internationally. This may be due to the fact that the tagging program of ARCHELON is the oldest in the Mediterranean and one of the oldest in the world. The above study was accepted in a valid scientific journal and will be published within June.
Sea turtles in Zakynthos with ARCHELON tags (photo: K. Papafitsoros)
Specifically, 2 sea turtles were found with 33 years having passed from the first marking until their most recent observation. It is about the A1075 which was marked in 1984 and its most recent observation was made in 2017, and the B2494, marked in 1986 with the last observation in 2019. A total of 20 turtles with a reproductive longevity of 22 to 33 years were found in Zakynthos. Of course, this period may be actually longer since it is not known whether the first marking coincided with the first nesting of the turtle.
It is noted that, because the external tags get lost to a large extent or are worn out and cannot be "read", in recent years internal microchips are being installed which last much longer. So it is expected that the continuation of the long-term program of ARCHELON in Zakynthos will show that the duration of the reproductive life of loggerheads is even greater than 33 years.
Thanks are due to the Scientific Committee of ARCHELON and the authors Dimitris Margaritoulis, Christopher J. Dean, Goncalo Lourenco, Alan F. Rees and Thomas E. Riggall for this publication. A big thank you to the thousands of volunteers from all over the world who participated in the conservation projects of ARCHELON and also to ARCHELON’s staff. Without them we would not be able to know important information about sea turtles.
WE CAN ALL LIVE TOGETHER. This is the message of ARCHELON and for us it is not just about sea turtles.
photo 1. Sea turtles in Zakynthos with ARCHELON tags (photo: K. Papafitsoros) photo 2. ARCHELON Sea Turtle Rescue Centre, rehabilitation tanks
SEA TURTLE RESCUE CENTER “rescued” during the pandemic by Nele Joachim, a volunteer from the European Solidarity Corps
Coordinated actions for sea turtles on the European coasts and seas of the Mediterranean continue
RECENT NEWS
- 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.
- OUR NEWS08/04/2025
Meeting of organizations, authorities and businessmen in Rethymno: Crete is preparing for the arrival of the turtles!
On Monday, April 7, we met for another year in the hospitable city of Rethymno to participate in the meeting organized by the Regional Unit of Rethymno on the topic of management measures for the protection of the loggerhead sea turtle!
- OUR NEWS31/03/2025
150 satellite tags for the protection of sea turtles
Since 2002, ARCHELON and its partners have placed 150 satellite and GSM tags on sea turtles monitoring their vast journeys across the Mediterranean!
- OUR NEWS24/03/2025
Become a Guardian of the Night: Volunteer with ARCHELON
On some select beaches, volunteer duties also include night patrols. During the hours when the presence of people on the nesting beaches is prohibited so as not to disturb the turtles, our trained volunteers start their shift, equipped with measuring instruments, research notebooks and red flashlights.
- OUR NEWS14/03/2025
Enriching the lives of rescued sea turtles
A recent study at ARCHELON's Sea Turtle Rescue Centre highlights the importance of environmental enrichment in improving the physical and psychological well-being of rescued sea turtles, aiding their rehabilitation and preparing them for successful release back into the wild.
- OUR NEWS24/02/2025
ARCHELON's Annual General Assembly
According to article 8 of the Statutes of ARCHELON Association, its’ members were invited to attend the Annual General Assembly on Saturday, 22 February 2025.
- OUR NEWS20/02/2025
From the ARCHELON’s Rescue Centre in Egypt!
A sea turtle, previously rehabilitated at the ARCHELON’s Rescue Centre, has once again made headlines, this time internationally. The tagged turtle was discovered weak and injured on an Egyptian beach after the recent rough seas. This incident, as reported by the Egyptian news agency, underscores the ongoing need to protect the fragile Mediterranean marine environment.
- OUR NEWS17/02/2025
ARCHELON's turtle toy travels the country with students and teachers
We would like to warmly thank all the schools that participated in the Online Tours during the 2023-2024 school year and spread the message of sea turtle protection to the ends of the country! The online tours for the current school year have already started.
- OUR NEWS12/02/2025
Online Presentation of Results 2024
Last year, 500 volunteers from all over the world came to help turtles in Greece! What did they achieve? Join us to find out!
- OUR NEWS11/02/2025
Historic Green Sea Turtle Nest Discovered on Rhodes Island, Greece
This species is globally endangered and the recent discovery is particularly significant as it suggests a possible shift in green turtle breeding areas.
- OUR NEWS04/02/2025
Joanne's Lifelong Passion: volunteering at the ARCHELON Sea Turtle Rescue Centre
Joanne's lifelong passion for sea turtles led her to volunteer at the ARCHELON Sea Turtle Rescue Centre in Greece, where she dedicates her time to educating visitors and contributing to the organization's conservation efforts.
- OUR NEWS02/02/2025
2 years of joint systematic efforts to protect Greece's largest wetland
- OUR NEWS28/01/2025
The ARCHELON Recap for 2024: We kept on fighting for Sea Turtles and the protection of the Oceans
2024 was the year that the recovery of the loggerhead sea turtle breeding population in Kyparissia Bay has been confirmed! This site now hosts the largest breeding population in the Mediterranean, which has been growing steadily in the past years thanks to the consistent long-term nest protection efforts of ARCHELON. It was also the warmest year globally on record when, on the side of our heavy core business workload, we made time to strengthen our commitment to volunteerism and sustainable tourism.