YOU MUST BE THE CHANGE YOU WISH TO SEE IN THE WORLD
Congestion of marine debris in Laganas Bay, Zakynthos, has been an ever increasing problem for the existing biodiversity in the bay. An illegal landfill site positioned above Vrondonero beach poses a variety of problems. The surrounding geomorphology creates a wind tunnel which expels the rubbish to the marine and terrestrial environment creating accumulations in the protected nesting beaches and marine area. As well, large amounts of litter are stranded each year from the sea, such as abandoned fishing gear, bottles and plastic bags that are threat for sea turtles, causing their mortality.
In 2010, a group of volunteers from ARCHELON, The Sea Turtle Protection Society of Greece and scouts worked together to clean Vrondonero beach and the marine area adjacent to it, an area that is not daily wardened by the personnel of the NMPZ. The state of the beach and the marine area was very poor, and the effort to collect and remove all the waste for the coastal and marine area was remarkable. On the 3rd August 2011, ARCHELON team decided to repeat this activity!
The previous day, a team of volunteers made over ten ʽsea-friendly bin bagsʼ made from mosquito nets and wire to allow water to pass through whilst cleaning. Over a period of three hours in the heat of the day we worked hard to remove the rubbish from the beach and from the seafloor. The accumulation of litter removed from the beach and from the sea filled over 20 bin bags! Whilst diving and removing the plastic debris, our volunteers had the opportunity to admire many different species of fish, jellyfish and even a seahorse, a positive sign of the rich biodiversity of Laganas Bay.
Due to the success of our marine cleans, we are planning to perform a series of such activities all around the bay until the end of the 2011 season to contribute actively in the improvement of the quality of Laganas Bay, a major Mediterranean habitat for the Loggerhead sea turtle, whilst promoting environmentally friendly behaviour. We hope our efforts will increase the marine life in the NMPZ and make it more ʽTurtle Friendlyʼ. If everyone collects a single discarded plastic bag the state of our world will be greatly improved!
JOIN US! ʽYOU MUST BE THE CHANGE YOU WISH TO SEE IN THE WORLDʼ Mahatma Gandhi
Danielle Gault Public Awareness Leader of ARCHELON Project in Zakynthos
NO! to the Youth Beach Festival on the Caretta caretta nesting beach organized by the Phaistos Municipality and the Crete regional authorities for 12 August
The first hatchlings in Crete... headed for the lights
RECENT NEWS
- OUR NEWS07/05/2026
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ur Sea Turtle Tours recently featured as a highlight in the Sustainable Tourism International Talk Sessions, organized by the Japan Alliance of Responsible Travel Agencies.
- OUR NEWS04/05/2026
Kids Turtle Festival 2026 "In Deep Water"
The ARCHELON Sea Turtle Rescue Centre opens its doors on World Turtle Day, May 23, and invites young and old to this year’s Kids Turtle Festival 2026 “In Deep Water”.
- OUR NEWS30/04/2026
Sea Turtle Beach Walk in Crete: A unique eco-tourism experience
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- OUR NEWS18/04/2026
How a sea turtle illuminated the unknown paths of the Aegean
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- OUR NEWS17/04/2026
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For decades, one quote has defined the struggle of sea turtle conservation: 1 in 1,000. This statistical information suggests that for every thousand hatchlings that enter the sea, only one will survive the long journey to adulthood.
- OUR NEWS10/04/2026
ARCHELON takes part in Chania's “Move It Now” initiative
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- OUR NEWS09/04/2026
Coming together for sustainable tourism in Chania
Looking towards the upcoming nesting season, the tourism community of Chania gathered at the city’s Town Hall.
- OUR NEWS08/04/2026
The Return of the “Giant”: Everest Swims Again in Greek Seas After Two Years of Rehabilitation
The story of 'Everest' began in May 2024 in Preveza, when the sea turtle was found with a severe, intentional head injury. Upon arrival at the Rescue Centre, its condition was critical: malnourished, weighing just 81 kg, and suffering from serious buoyancy problems that made survival in the sea impossible.
- OUR NEWS07/04/2026
Through the dust: Rethymno looks for a sustainable future with the sea turtles
Neither the African dust nor the sandstorm of last Wednesday stood in the way of ARCHELON's event at the Rethymno City Hall!
- OUR NEWS02/04/2026
Volunteering Has Never Been More Attractive: Special offers for 2026
ARCHELON invites you to join its field projects and actively protect sea turtles and their habitats.
- OUR NEWS09/03/2026
The Annual General Assembly of the Association
ARCHELON's Members were invited to attend the Annual General Assembly on Saturday, February 28 at the Sea Turtle Rescue Centre.
- OUR NEWS03/03/2026
Join us for the Online Presentation of 2025 Results!
On Monday, March 23rd, we have the chance to meet again online and share what we accomplished together in the past year.
- OUR NEWS03/03/2026
A Digital Adventure for Your Class with ARCHELON
Through a live connection with the Centre, students learn about the turtles’ rescue stories and discover how everyday human activities can negatively impact marine ecosystems.
- OUR NEWS24/02/2026
32 Years Returning to Nest: A Record Reproductive Lifespan for the Loggerhead Sea Turtle in Kyparissia Bay
When we analyzed the turtles’ codes, we realized that this was a turtle that had been tagged for the first time in the area 32 years ago! Specifically, turtle P4849 was tagged on July 7, 1993 and today is the turtle with the longest documented reproductive lifespan in Kyparissia Bay!
- OUR NEWS18/02/2026
"The Mediterranean We Protect" ARCHELON Presented the 2025 Results and the New LIFE MareNatura Exhibition
The presentation of our Accounts for 2025 was held with great success on Saturday, February 14th in Glyfada, honoring the people who are on the front lines for the protection of the Mediterranean.