How we can save turtles
- interview with Eirini Kasimati
Archelon ischyros is the largest known species of sea turtles, now extinct.
Although it lived millions of years ago, its name was adopted by a Greek
environmental organization founded in the 1980s. Behind it lies the beautiful
story of Dimitris and Anna Margaritoulis, who discovered the importance of
Greek nesting beaches for loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) and
engaged in the protection of Laganas bay on the island of Zakynthos. In
1983, the first researchers founded the Sea Turtle Protection Society of
Greece, later named ARCHELON. The process of gradually discovering more
nesting sites, keeping records and research, involving hundreds of volunteers
every year and urging the Greek Government to establish a Marine Park on
Zakynthos are only some of the examples examples of how much can be
done with a “little” goodwill and dedication.
ARCHELON is a non - profit organization
dedicated to conservation, rehabilitation
and research of sea turtles. The list of
tasks and accomplishments of the
organization seems to be endless. These
include monitoring beaches, protecting
nests, rehabilitation and treatment of
injured turtles, monitoring and research
of the loggerhead population, raising
awareness and educating about the environment. In addition, ARCHELON is
a partner of the UNEP/Mediterranean Action Plan, which deals with the
environmental degradation of the Mediterranean in general, and participates
in the Life Euroturtles programme.
All these activities are possible thanks to the staff and volunteers from all
over the world. ARCHELON welcomes people all year round to help at the Sea
Rescue Center in Glyfada, near Athens, and in spring and summer there are
also projects on the nesting beaches - Zakynthos, Kyparissia, Lakonikos,
Koroni, Rethymo, Chania and Messara. The activities coordinated by the
organization in protecting sea turtles involve volunteers and are of
paramount importance. The tasks that volunteers undertake are surveying