Restrictions on international travel and measures to prevent the spread of COVID19 have resulted in the cancellation of the participation of most volunteers in ARCHELON’s summer projects of this year. The self-financing of ARCHELON's activities on Zakynthos would not be possible. That is why we submitted an application for financing to the Green Fund of the Ministry of Environment and Energy, which was approved.

Knowing the ecological sensitivity of residents and visitors who support the work of ARCHELON every summer since 1994, we appeal to them for reducing light pollution by turning off or shading the municipal and private artificial lights that shine on the beach, after 11pm each night.
 

Now that Greece has opened up for people from many countries, we want to make sure that the teams will continue to remain safe from COVID-19 until the end of the projects. That is why we have come to take the following decision...

“The invitation came in February 2016 and it is still my current affiliation with the Society. I work with people I appreciate, contributing to the efforts of hundreds of volunteers who collect data every year on the beaches, aiming to protect our common environment”

Τhe Green Fund of the Ministry of Environment and Energy will co-finance specific actions of the Life Euroturtles project, for the 4th year in a row. 

A recent study of the clutch frequency of the loggerheads nesting in the southern gulf of Kyparissia, Greece by ARCHELON (2020) showed that the estimated number of sea turtles breeding in the Mediterranean may be overestimated by 73%. Now that we know there are fewer sea turtles breeding in the Mediterranean than we thought, more efforts to protect adult turtles must be taken up.

Following the Greek government's announcements the day before yesterday about the gradual removal of the lockdown measures, we are now more prepared to announce developments for our projects.

At a time when human affairs are postponed and delayed, life in nature does not stand still. Help us continue to protect and care for sea turtles in this difficult time. Your donation is needed to get us all together to a worthwhile tomorrow.

The global efforts to deal with the spread of COVID19 coronavirus are escalating. It has become obvious that the participation of volunteers from abroad to ARCHELON projects will not be possible for some time.
 

We were delighted to receive members, old and new volunteers and staff as well as friends from other environmental organizations at this ARCHELON event in Plaka, center of Athens, on January 30th.

A local consultation meeting on the proposed Action Plan for the 3 species of sea turtles found in the Mediterranean and in the Greek coasts in particular, was hosted by the Regional Unit of Rethymnon, Crete, on the 3rd of February. Rethymnon is one of the nesting sites for sea turtles in Greece.

Thanks to ARCHELON’s nationwide sea turtle Stranding Network, anglerfish were recorded as opportunistic predators of sea turtles in the Med for the first time. A juvenile loggerhead turtle was found in the stomach of an anglerfish! Here is the story...

This short report, submitted to the European Commission and the National authorities, presents the main events in the efforts to protect the nesting habitats of Loggerhead sea turtles in the island of Crete, Greece during 2019.
 

From the pool of applications for Field Leaders, we will also select a small number of Coordinators for the projects. The deadline for applying for Field Leaders is approaching!