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The coastal zone of Kyparissia Bay is steadily emerging as the leading area in the number of Caretta sea turtle nests in Greece and the Mediterranean. In fact, Kyparissia Bay, along with Laganas Bay in Zakynthos, hosts over 57% of Caretta turtle nests (Caretta caretta) in the European Union.
According to the annual report of the ARCHELON program in Kyparissia Bay for 2025, the area recorded one of the most productive years in recent decades. Specifically, approximately 6,100 nests were recorded, a number that marks a 74% increase compared to the average of the previous 12 years.
According to the organization’s announcement, “this success, the result of the systematic protection of nests and hatchlings implemented by ARCHELON since 1992, makes immediate institutional support for the Nature Protection Area and the implementation of the National Action Plan for Caretta imperative to safeguard this fragile achievement.”
In more detail, the key results of the ARCHELON program for 2025 are:
-Large number of nests: Approximately 6,100 nests were recorded (5,200 in the core area of 9.5 km and 900 north of Neda), and monitoring and protection of nests and hatchlings were implemented.
-Significant population recovery: A 74% increase was noted compared to the average number of nests in the previous 12 years in the same area. This success is the result of long-term and systematic protection of nests and hatchlings implemented by ARCHELON since 1992, which has led to the recovery of the breeding population.
-Stable volunteer/educational action: 90 volunteers and researchers from Greece and abroad participated in the program from May to September. Of these, 11 took on field leader responsibilities, and 27 students completed their internships.
-Stable impact on the community: 5,800 visitors and residents participated in informational and educational activities and were informed about the biological cycle and the dangers facing the turtle. The activities included educational walks on the beach and tours of the Agiannakis Environmental Station by volunteers, educational presentations in schools and collaborating hotels, organizing beach clean-ups, and informing visitors at the seasonal Information Stations that operated in Kalo Nero and Kyparissia.
-Satellite monitoring: As part of the scientific research for the European LIFE MareNatura Project, two new satellite tracking transmitters were placed on adult turtles, enhancing the data network for studying their feeding areas and migratory routes.
Despite the impressive nesting results, anthropogenic pressures (violations of legislation, habitat degradation) continue both on the coast and at sea. ARCHELON calls on the State for immediate actions:
-Immediate Implementation of the National Action Plan: The Action Plan for the Caretta Sea Turtle, adopted in 2021, must be implemented, and the necessary financial support for ARCHELON to continue the actions of recording and protecting nests and hatchlings must be provided. To date, all actions for recording and protecting nests and hatchlings in Kyparissia Bay are exclusively covered by ARCHELON’s own resources, while there is a complete absence of management and monitoring actions for the protected area by the competent authorities.
-Institutional Safeguarding: The processes for the establishment and implementation of the Management Plan for the Nature Protection Area should be expedited. A spatially unified management of the current protected area must be ensured to secure the long-term survival of sea turtles and the preservation of the protected coastal habitats included in it, in relation to the upcoming Marine Park of the Ionian Sea, which is a promising development.
“The recovery of the Caretta population is a national achievement due to the long-term protective action of ARCHELON. However, it is a fragile result that requires continuous field action and corresponding institutional support and funding. It is essential to ensure the good ecological status of the habitats in the protected area. We call on the State to immediately implement the National Action Plan,” said Panagiota Theodorou, coordinator of Institutional and Legal Affairs at ARCHELON.
“We sincerely thank the citizens, the port authorities, and the municipal authorities for their cooperation in the Rescue and Recording Network for Stranded Turtles. The cooperation of citizens and authorities is critical, but maintaining the habitats in good condition now requires decisive intervention from the State,” said Peli Tsousi, head of the Kyparissia Bay program. (22/10/25)