Population and migration studies

2024-2025: In July 2024 ARCHELON's team of researchers successfully completed the placement of satellite transmitters on 20 sea turtles located on the nesting beaches of Western and Southern Peloponnese and Crete. In the summer of 2025, another 20 transmitters are expected to be placed on selected individuals. This research is expected to provide invaluable data on the movements, behaviors and preferences of turtles in various marine habitats. By identifying vital habitats and migration routes, we can work to create effective marine protected areas and protect these magnificent creatures for future generations. This action took place in the framework of the "LIFE MareNatura: Conservation of priority species of marine megafauna in Greece and Italy" project, in which ARCHELON is a partner.

2024:'Triton’ was released back into the Mediterranean Sea with a satellite transmitter after a year of rehabilitation at ARCHELON's Sea Turtle Rescue Centre. This initiative aims to contribute valuable insights into sea turtle behaviour after rehabilitation and helps conservation efforts that support the long-term health of sea turtles and their habitats. The turtle’s release offers an opportunity to deepen scientific knowledge while also raising awareness about marine conservation. Sea turtle tracking is part of the TUI Care Foundation’s TUI Turtle Aid Greece programme, which protects endangered and vulnerable sea turtles, especially around nesting beaches.

2020-2022: The placement of satellite transmitters focused on male turtles to investigate whether they remain in female nesting areas or live in other areas that may need protection. Areas of application of this research were the Amvrakikos Gulf (feeding area) and Kyparissia Bay (breeding area). In October 2020 the ARCHELON team placed satellite transmitters on 3 male turtles in Amvrakikos. In the summer of 2021, satellite transmitters were placed on 5 more turtles in Amvrakikos. Their routes are shown on the map below.

2018-2020: ARCHELON's team of experienced researchers placed satellite transmitters on female turtles in order to investigate where the turtles go in the time between successive nesting as well as which areas of the Mediterranean they migrate to after the end of the breeding season. The area of application of this first research was the southern Kyparissia Bay. Work began in June 2018 with the placement of satellite transmitters on 9 nesting female turtles and their routes are shown on the map below. A further 12 nesting turtles were fitted with satellite transmitters in June 2019 and their routes are shown on the map. Note that each transmitter transmits until it comes out of the turtle's shell, a maximum of 2 years.

The MAVA Foundation, located in Switzerland, has kindly provided funds to ARCHELON in order to carry out this activity in the framework of the project “Conservation of Marine Turtles in the Mediterranean Region”.