ARCHELON, The Sea Turtle Protection Society of Greece
The Sea Turtle Directory
Country: Greece
Organization / Project Name: ARCHELON
Website: www.archelon.gr
Email: info@archelon.gr
Description: Zakynthos - Laganas Bay Loggerhead sea turtles were discovered to reproduce on the sandy beaches and crystal waters of Laganas Bay, Zakynthos, in 1977. Today Laganas Bay including the islets of Marathonisi and Pelouso is part of the National Marine Park of Zakynthos and is known as is one of the most important areas for the species in the Mediterranean. ARCHELON researchers and trained volunteers have been recording and protecting the nests of the loggerhead sea turtle in Zakynthos systematically since 1984, and, since 2004 they work in cooperation with the National Marine Park. You can meet the ARCHELON volunteers and find out more about sea turtles at the Information Station in Solomos Square(Zakynthos town), or in front of the Crystal Beach Hotel in Kalamaki. There are six turtle nesting beaches in Laganas Bay, with a total length of 5.5 km: Marathonisi, east Laganas, Kalamaki, Sekania, Dafni and Gerakas, where an average of 1,200 nests are made per year. The beach of Sekania has the highest density of loggerhead nests and is designated as Area of Absolute Protection where public access is not allowed. The rest of the beaches are designated as Nature Protection Areas, where special measures are in place to protect the sea turtle breeding population.
Species of focus: Loggerheads (Caretta caretta)
Volunteer program: Yes
Tourist activities (Y/N): Yes
Primary Areas of Work: Satellite telemetry, Beach protection, Environmental education/community outreach, Policy, Nesting beach monitoring, Stranding response
Facebook Profile: https://www.facebook.com/archelon.gr