Kyparissia Bay is becoming the top region in Greece and the Mediterranean for Caretta sea turtle nesting. Together with Laganas Bay in Zakynthos, it accounts for over 57% of Caretta turtle nests (Caretta caretta) in the European Union.
The 2025 annual report from the ARCHELON program highlights a significant year for Kyparissia Bay, recording about 6,100 nests—an impressive 74% increase compared to the average of the previous 12 years.
The organization stated, “This achievement, resulting from the ongoing protection of nests and hatchlings by ARCHELON since 1992, necessitates immediate institutional support for the Nature Protection Area and the enforcement of the National Action Plan for Caretta to preserve this delicate progress.”
Key findings from the ARCHELON program for 2025 include:
** Nests: Approximately 6,100 nests documented (5,200 in the primary 9.5 km area and 900 north of Neda), with implemented monitoring and protection measures for nests and hatchlings.
** Population recovery: A remarkable 74% increase in nests compared to the past 12-year average in this region, attributed to ARCHELON’s long-term protective efforts since 1992, resulting in population recovery.
** Volunteer engagement: From May to September, 90 volunteers and researchers from Greece and abroad participated, including 11 field leaders and 27 interns.
– Community impact: 5,800 locals and visitors engaged in educational activities, learning about the turtle’s life cycle and threats. Activities comprised educational beach walks, tours of the Agiannakis Environmental Station, presentations in schools and partner hotels, beach clean-ups, and information dissemination at seasonal Information Stations in Kalo Nero and Kyparissia.
** Satellite tracking: In collaboration with the European LIFE MareNatura Project, new satellite transmitters were placed on adult turtles to improve understanding of their feeding areas and migratory patterns.
Despite these nesting successes, human pressures such as legislative violations and habitat degradation persist both on land and at sea. ARCHELON urges immediate state action:
– Implementing the National Action Plan: The Caretta Sea Turtle Action Plan, adopted in 2021, needs to be enacted, with financial support for ARCHELON’s continued monitoring and protection efforts. Currently, all nesting protection activities in Kyparissia Bay are funded solely by ARCHELON, with no management from relevant authorities.
** Institutional Protection: Expedite processes for establishing and executing the Management Plan for the Nature Protection Area, ensuring unified management to secure long-term survival of sea turtles and preservation of coastal habitats, particularly concerning the upcoming Marine Park of the Ionian Sea.
“The recovery of the Caretta population is a national success due to ARCHELON’s extensive protective actions. However, this fragile progress necessitates ongoing field efforts and institutional support. Maintaining ecological health in the protected area is crucial, and we call on the State to implement the National Action Plan promptly,” stated Panagiota Theodorou, ARCHELON’s coordinator of Institutional and Legal Affairs.
“We extend our gratitude to citizens, port authorities, and municipal bodies for their collaboration in the Rescue and Recording Network for Stranded Turtles. While such cooperation is vital, ongoing habitat maintenance now demands decisive state intervention,” added Peli Tsousi, head of the Kyparissia Bay program. (22/10/25)
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