ARCHELON

ARCHELON was founded in 1983 under the name "The Sea Turtle Protection Society of Greece" and is a non-profit association with the aim of studying and protecting sea turtles and their habitats.

  • Vision- Mission

    There are 7 different sea turtle species in the oceans of the world. Unfortunately, over the last 200 years, humans have made their survival hard. Here is why :

    • Slaughtered for their eggs, meat, skin and shells, sea turtles suffer from poaching and over-exploitation.

    • They are often victims of accidental capture and death in fishing gear.

    • Plastic marine litter affect their health.

    • Tourism has a negative impact on their nesting sites.

    • Climate change is causing global sea level rise so narrow nesting beaches maybe lost under sea water. Also sand temperatures will be altered, affecting the sex of hatchlings.

    Because of these, all species of sea turtles are considered conservation dependent. Two species are listed as "Critically Endangered" by IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, while one is listed as "Endangered", three are listed as "Vulnerable" and one as "Data Deficient". Notably these characterisations can be changed in the course of only a few years with notable example that of the Northwest Atlantic leatherbacks whose population went from "Least Concern" to "Endangered" in 6 years.

  • ARCHELON's vision is that these threats are removed and sea turtles continue to exist as part of nature

    Threats are removed= humans understand, accept and respect Nature= undisturbed ecosystems, high quality of cultural landscapes.

    ARCHELON designs and implements projects and actions for the conservation of sea turtles and their habitats, combining scientific work with volunteering service and aiming at mobilizing society through awareness and education for a better and sustainable planet.

    We can all live together, this is the motto of ARCHELON since 1983!

Who we are

Our People

The Board

  • President: Thomas Arapis
  • Vice-President: Dimitris Dimopoulos
  • Treasurer: Giorgos Valais
  • Secretary: Lenio Margaritouli
  • Advisor: Rania Spyropoulou
  • Advisor: Alexis Sachinides
  • Advisor: Giorgos Chiras
  • Assistant Committee: Mariana Dimitriou, Olga Dretakis, Alexandros Dritsoulas
  1. Director

    Daphne Mavrogiorgos

    T: 2105231342
  2. Research Coordinator
  3. Legal & Statutory Issues
  4. Rescue Centre Officer
  5. Rescue & Rehabilitation Officer
  6. Rehabilitation Assistant
  7. Field Projects Coordinator
  8. Photo of Pely Tsousi the Project Manager of West Peloponesse
    Project manager for west Peloponnese
  9. Project Manager for Zakynthos
  10. Project Manager for south Peloponnese
  11. Project Manager for Crete
  12. Volunteers Officer & ESC Coordinator
  13. Rescue Center Vet
  14. Financial Monitoring Officer
  15. Accounting Officer
  16. Education Officer
  17. Education Assistant

    Elisavet Machaira

    T: 2108982600
  18. Communications Officer
  19. Public Awareness Officer
  20. Sustainable Tourism Officer
History

How it started

Once upon a time...

In the summer of 1977, Dimitris Margaritoulis, Anna and their children, while on vacation in Zakynthos, they noticed for the first time some strange tracks in the sand. Until then there was no scientific record on sea turtle nesting in Greece. The methodical work, love and respect for the environment of the first "turtlers", paved the way and made Loggerheads a symbol for the protection of nature in Greece.

  1. 1983 THE SEA TURTLE PROTECTION SOCIETY OF GREEECE IS ESTABLISHED

    On 20 November 1983, six years after the first scientific discovery that loggerhead sea turtles reproduce in Zakynthos, Greece, the nongovernmental, non-profit organization 'Sea Turtle Protection Society of Greece' is founded. Its purpose is the study and protection of sea turtles and their habitats. There are 22 founding members, and Eugenia Roidou is elected as the first President. In the years to come, Thomas Arapis, Nikos Charalambidis, Dimitris Margaritoulis, Nikolas Raisis, Anna Margaritouli, and Dimitrios Dimopoulos, serve as Presidents. In 2008, the statute is modified, and the Society acquires its new title, 'ARCHELON'.

  2. 1984-1985 START OF SEA TURTLE MONITORING PROJECTS & FIRST SCHOOL PRESENTATIONS

    The establishment of the first research stations in Zakynthos at Laganas Bay and in the Peloponnese at southern Kyparissia Bay (1984) and later at Lakonikos Bay (1985) marks the beginning of the long-term monitoring of the reproductive activity of the loggerhead turtles in these sites. The main participants are students from Greek universities.

    The Environmental Education project begins in the schools of Zakynthos (1985), aiming to educate students about sea turtles and the threats they face, and it will soon be extended to schools throughout the country.

  3. 1984-1985 START OF SEA TURTLE MONITORING PROJECTS – FIRST SCHOOL PRESENTATIONS

    The establishment of the first research stations in Zakynthos at Laganas Bay and in the Peloponnese at southern Kyparissia Bay (1984) and later at Lakonikos Bay (1985) marks the beginning of the long-term monitoring of the reproductive activity of the loggerhead turtles in these sites.

    The main participants are students from Greek universities. The Environmental Education project begins in the schools of Zakynthos (1985), aiming to educate students about sea turtles and the threats they face, and it will soon be extended to schools throughout the country.

  4. 1986-1988 PUBLIC AWARENESS ON THE BEACHES & THE FIRST VOLUNTEERS FROM ABROAD

    In the shade of a large white tent at Laganas Bay, Zakynthos, the major public awareness project for tourists begins (1986). In the following years, operation of seasonal information stations begins in Zakynthos at Laganas (1987) and Gerakas (1988).

    Volunteers from abroad join in the Zakynthos and Kyparissia projects for the first time (1987).

    The first measures to prevent building develop- ment in the area behind the sea turtle nesting beaches of Zakynthos are introduced, and some locals react negatively towards the organization (1986).

    The first fundraising campaign 'Adopt a sea turtle' begins in Zakynthos (1988).

  5. 1989 THE SEA TURTLE RESCUE NETWORK & IDENTIFICATION OF SEA TURTLE NESTING AREAS

    New sea turtle nesting beaches are identified in Crete, and long-term systematic monitoring and protection projects begin in Rethymno, Chania, and Messara Bay (1990).

    Awareness programmes are being implemented through new information stations in all major sea turtle nesting areas. Presentations begin at hotels in Zakynthos, Rethymno, and Chania.

    The first environmental educational package in Greece, 'Turtle Suitcase', with its photos and educational material, starts traveling to schools all over the country. In the following years, three new educational publications will be added to the environmental education material.

    ARCHELON's work is recognized internationally at the Ford Conservation Awards in Belgium (1993). The process of land acquisition behind Sekania beach in Laganas Bay from WWF begins through the mediation of ARCHELON. It is the first step towards the creation of a Marine Park.

  6. 1990-1993 MONITORING SEA TURTLE NESTING IN CRETE & PIONEERS IN ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION

    New sea turtle nesting beaches are identified in Crete, and long-term systematic monitoring and protection projects begin in Rethymno, Chania, and Messara Bay (1990).

    Awareness programmes are being implemented through new information stations in all major sea turtle nesting areas. Presentations begin at hotels in Zakynthos, Rethymno, and Chania.

    The first environmental educational package in Greece, 'Turtle Suitcase', with its photos and educational material, starts traveling to schools all over the country. In the following years, three new educational publications will be added to the environmental education material.

    ARCHELON's work is recognized internationally at the Ford Conservation Awards in Belgium (1993).

    Another international award comes in the same year, this time from Europe's largest tourism organization, TUI.

  7. 1994 THE FIRST SEA TURTLE RESCUE CENTRE IN THE MEDITERRANEAN BECOMES A REALITY

    A milestone for ARCHELON is the establishment of the Sea Turtle Rescue Centre in Glyfada, Attica, in collaboration with the Municipality of Glyfada, with the aim of treating injured sea turtles from all over the country.

    In the following years, over 1,250 turtles are admitted to the Centre, and more than 700 of them are rehabilitated and safely reintroduced into the sea.

    School groups attend the environmental education program of the Centre regularly (1995). Working as a volunteer inspires thousands of students every year, and the number of visitors to the Centre slowly increases.

    Another international award comes in the same year, this time from Europe's largest tourism organization, TUI.

  8. 1995-1999 MONITORING NESTS IN KORONI & ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING IN SEA TURTLE NESTING AEREAS

    Monitoring of the sea turtle reproductive activity in Koroni, Messenia (Peloponnese), begins (1995).

    The Management Plan for the sea turtle nesting beaches in Crete is completed and implemented with the cooperation of local authorities (1995).

    Preparation of a dedicated environmental study for the establishment of a protected area in southern Kyparissia Bay begins (1998).

    Several years after the announcement of the joint proposals of environmental organizations and local communities for the creation of a National Marine Park in Zakynthos, the Presidential Decree of the Park is issued in 1999. It is a huge step for the protection of marine life in Greece.

  9. 2000-2004 ENVIRONMENTAL STATIONS IN KYPARISSIA AND LAKONIKOS & THE AMVRAKIKOS LONG TERM PROGRAMME

    Two environmental science stations with relevant exhibits are created in the Peloponnese: in Kyparissia Bay (Agiannakis) and in Lakonikos Bay (Taxiarhes).

    The Amvrakikos Gulf in central western Greece is identified as an important feeding ground for sea turtles (2000), and turtle movements are monitored with use of satellite transmitters (2002).

    At the same time, actions are being developed to reduce the deaths of turtles from fisheries interaction; the new education package “Fishers and Sea Turtles” is created and the first environmental exhibition on wheels starts traveling in Greece, showcasing sea turtle conservation.

    Scientists from many countries join the Mediterranean Workshop on the care of rescued sea turtles held in the expanded Rescue Centre in Glyfada and organised by ARCHELON (2004).

  10. 2005-2009 THE INTERNATIONAL SEA TURTLE SYMPOSIUM IN CRETE & FAMILY VOLUNTEERING

    The third environmental science station is established in Pangalochori, Rethymno (2005). The following year, the 26th International Sea Turtle Symposium takes place in Crete with great success, with the participation of 700 delegates from 76 countries.

    For the first time, 'family volunteering' is implemented in the Lakonikos Bay project (2007), and is later extended to the Rethymno and Chania projects.

    Environmental organisations alert public opinion about the lack of institutional funding for the management of the National Marine Park of Zakynthos, and the illegal constructions observed within the Park.

    Almost all important sea turtle nesting areas in Greece are included in the European Union NATURA 2000 network.

  11. 2010-2013 The first Turtle Friendly Hotel & NEW ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES ON THE NESTING BEACHES

    Monitoring and protection of nests begins on the beach of Romanos in Messenia in collaboration with Costa Navarino, which is the first hotel to implement sea turtle protection standards as part of its planning phase (2010).

    A heated 'intensive care' unit is constructed at the Sea Turtle Rescue Centre to speed the recovery of rehabilitated turtles (2010).

    Environmental organisations alert public opinion about illegal constructions observed in Kyparissia Bay. A significant reduction in the number of nests in Crete is noted.

    Reports show that Greece is home to almost 80% of the loggerhead nests in the European Union, and almost 50% in the Mediterranean.

  12. 2014- 2018 RESEARCH ON PLASTIC POLLUTION & TURTLE MIGRATION OBSERVATIONS BY SATELLITE TRANSMITTERS

    The program for recording sporadic sea turtle nesting with public participation begins. ARCHELON collaborates in research on the detection of plastics in sea turtles, where it is shown that the magnitude of the problem is quite serious (2018).

    Satellite transmitters are attached to turtles nesting in Kyparissia Bay to monitor their movements.

    The Nature Protection Area in Kyparissia Bay is established, where in recent years the largest number of loggerhead turtle nesting in the Mediterranean has been documented (2018).

    This is another great step for the conservation of loggerheads in the Mediterranean. Later on, at the Natura 2000 Awards, the Kyparissia project is recognised as one of the best conservation initiatives in Europe.

  13. 2019-2023 NATIONAL ACTION PLAN FOR THE LOGGERHEADS & VOLUNTEERS AND FRIENDS HELP OUT DURING THE PANDEMIC

    There is a record number of 750 volunteers participating in ARCHELON projects (2019). The National Action Plan for the long-term conservation of the loggerheads is elaborated and is officially endorsed later in 2021.

    Impressive support from volunteers and friends, Greek and international organizations, businesses, and institutional funding allow the continuation of ARCHELON's operations during the pandemic. Schools from all over Greece join in the 'Rescue Centre Online' live tours (2021)

    New rehabilitation techniques give impetus to the Rescue Centre where a new 'intensive care' unit, a food preparation room, and a solar seawater heating system are in progress (2022). ARCHELON participates in the creation of the Network of Greek NGOs for the Rescue and Rehabilitation of Wildlife (2022).

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