ARCHELON, the Sea Turtle Protection Society of Greece

description of organisation

ARCHELON was established in 1983 under the name The Sea Turtle Protection Society of Greece, and it is a non- profit association aiming at the conservation of sea turtles and their habitats in Greece. Its main activities are monitoring and research, rescue and rehabilitation of sick and injured turtles and raising public awareness.

ARCHELON collaborates closely with state agencies, the local authorities, institutions, other NGOs, fishermen and local inhabitants in order to mitigate and reverse population reduction of sea turtles. We also participate and contribute in the implementation of projects co-funded by the European Union.

Our main conservation efforts include:

• Monitoring, implementation of protection and management measures and public awareness in the major loggerhead nesting areas of Zakynthos, the Peloponnese (Kyparissia, Lakonikos and Koroni) and Crete (Rethymno, Chania and Messara).
• Operation of the Rescue Center for injured and sick sea turtles in Glyfada near Athens and of the Rescue network along the Greek coastline.
• Surveys and data collection, pilot habitat management and restoration and sea turtle conservation actions at sea.
• Public awareness and environmental education

ARCHELON’s conservation efforts rely heavily on voluntary participations and contributions to the projects. Every year over 500 volunteers from all over the world join the projects for the conservation of nesting beaches and the operation of the Rescue Centre.