Population data
Important information about the biology and population composition of sea turtles, and the migration routes in the Mediterranean Sea are collected from our fieldwork projects. Tagging and identification of already tagged individuals occurs on the nesting beaches of Zakynthos, Crete and the Peloponnese. This helps to find out their distribution in the Mediterranean after they have nested. The identification of migration routes is carried out with the help of satellite tags on selected individuals.
Tagging is also carried out in the feeding grounds of Amvrakikos Gulf, in order to investigate the growth rates of turtles living there.
Important information on the threats and pressures at sea from all coastal areas is collected through the nationwide Rescue Network. All turtles released from the Rescue Centre are tagged.
During the last two decades, it has been possible to genetically group the sea turtles populations which reproduce in Greek beaches through respective research.
Conservation reports
- Download the report
Zakynthos
Conservation efforts during 2022 at the nesting habitat of Caretta caretta in Laganas Bay, Zakynthos, Greece.
- Download the report
Kyparissia Bay
Conservation efforts during 2022 at the nesting habitat of Caretta caretta in Kyparissia Bay, western Peloponnese (Natura 2000- GR2550005 "THINES KYPARISSIAS")
Life EUROTURTLES project
As scientific knowledge on sea turtles is steadily increasing, the connections between different countries and their relative importance for turtle conservation become more evident. Greece, Cyprus, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia and Malta are 6 of the most important countries for the conservation of sea turtles in the Mediterranean. This project aims to improve connections and synergism on key conservation aspects among these 6 key EU countries. More information on the Life EUROTURTLES project you can find here.
ARCHELON participates as partner in the implementation of the Life EUROTURTLES project (2016-2021), which is co funded by the European Union. Amongst the actions ARCHELON is implementing are:
- the enhancement of the operations of the Sea turtle Stranding network in collaboration with the Coastal Guard,
- the upgrading of the treatment facilities in the Sea Turtle Rescue Centre in Glyfada,
- the protection of loggerhead nests in the northern part of Kyparissia Bay, in Kotychi, in Preveza and Evrotas delta, as well as
- innovative actions for the release of sea turtles trapped in fishing gear, in collaboration with the Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, on Crete and Messolonghi lagoon.
The Green Fund of the Greek Ministry of Environment and Energy has contributed to part of ARCHELONs own contribution in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021.
The project “Collective actions for improving the conservation status of the EU sea turtle populations” was completed successfully in May 2022. See the final Layman’s Report HERE.
