Expats who are long-time residents of the Kolymbari area will no doubt remember the “turtle walks”, the early-morning expeditions in the summer along Kolymbari beach, looking for signs of turtle nests and passing on the information so that protective fences and signs could be erected. Those who were lucky may even have seen the dozens of hatchlings emerge from a nest and struggle doggedly down the beach into the waves. The work of monitoring and the organisation of volunteers by ARCHELON still continues, and has now received official recognition.

According to a report in Haniotika Nea, the recording of reproductive activity, protection of nests and hatchlings and studies of the populations of sea turtles in Greece is now to be carried out as part of a national programme. Approval for a research permit which will allow the continuation of the programme currently being carried out by ARCHELON – the Sea Turtle Protection Society of Greece, was recently given by the ministry of the Environment. The research will last until 31st December 2027.

Recording of the reproductive activity of sea turtles is carried out from the beginning of March to the end of October each year. The remaining activities (catching and tagging at sea, installation of transmitters, recording of strandings, transfer of turtles for rehabilitation and release) continue throughout the year.

With regard to Crete, the areas of research are: the Nomos of Heraklion – Gulf of Messara from Kommos Beach to Kokkinos Pirgos; Nomos of Rethymnon – city of Rethymnon to the mouth of the Geropotamos river; Nomos of Chania – Lower Stalos to Kolymbari, beaches of Kissamos Bay, western and southern beaches of the nomos; Nomos of Lasithi – beaches in the general area of Sitia.

The species which will be studied are the Loggerhead turtle – Caretta caretta, the Green turtle – Chelonia mydas and the Leatherback turtle – Dermochelys coriacea. The three species come under Annex IV of the EU’s Habitats Directive as “Animal and plant species of community interest in need of strict protection”.

The aim of the research is:
1. The continuation of the long-term ARCHELON programme relating to the collection of the main reproductive data of the Caretta caretta sea turtle for the extraction of demographic and population-related conclusions.
2. The identification of feeding areas and of migration routes to and from the feeding grounds.
3. The recording of threats which affect the laying and hatching of eggs, as well as the journey of hatchlings to the sea, with implementation of the indicated measures for nest protection.
4. Recording of threats in the sea, via strandings of dead turtles and the saving of injured turtles.
5. Continuation of the long-term programme of monitoring the population which transits the Ambracian Gulf near Preveza (number of repeated catches, rate of development).
6. Research into new areas suitable for sea turtle nesting.
(Haniotika Nea, 11/03/25