Project Areas

Protection of Nesting activity in Peloponnesus

Peloponnisos - Lakonikos Bay

The Lakonikos Bay project is conducted at the beaches surrounding Gytheio, a beautiful town characterized by its picturesque port, neoclassical houses, narrow uphill alleys, stone paved streets and marble stairs. According to the Greek mythology here is the place where god Apollon fought with Hercules for the magic tripod of the Delphic oracle and where at the end they reconciled, giving the area its current name (Gytheio from the words gh and theos, which mean earth of the gods)

These unique, both in natural wealth and beauty, beaches of Lakonikos Bay have a total length of about 23 km and accommodate, in average, 200 Caretta caretta nests every year, whereas the sea area is the only spot in Greece where an other species of sea turtle, the green turtle (Chelonia mydas), is frequently encountered. A part of this area has been included in the european network Natura 2000 under the code GR2540003 "EVROTAS DELTA" as it constitutes not only a reproduction area for the sea turtles but serves as rest, reproduction and nourishment area for many bird species as well. Also, the sand dunes zone accommodates protected plant species such as the sea daffodil (Pancratium maritimum). The marine ecosystems of Lakonikos Bay include vast Posidonia meadows which serve as a reproduction area and a feeding ground for many organisms and fishes of commercial significance.

ARCHELON, noting that the area of Lakonikos Bay is an important nesting habitat of Caretta caretta sea turtles, first began a project about recording and protecting the nests in 1985, which carries on to the present day. Specifically reproductive activity is recorded at 4 beaches in the region (Mavrovouni, Vathy, Selinitsa, Valtaki), of total length of about 8.5 km, which are used as an "index area" for the rest of the region. The reproductive activity begins in early June and ends in the last days of September. During this period, with the participation of volunteers from around the world, ARCHELON conducts the following activities:

• Morning observation, during which reproductive activity is recorded daily.
• Nest protection from human activity and predation by mammals (foxes, dogs etc.), which is done by enclosing and marking the nests and by shading them, where necessary.
• Excavation of nests after the exit of the hatchlings in order to estimate the number of them that left the nest.
• Public awareness by operating a seasonal information station in the city center, by organizing information slide shows in tourist facilities and camping of the area, as well as by conducting beach patrols in order to raise the bathers' awareness

Volunteers can spend their free time by swimming, carefree wander in the narrow streets of the town of Gytheio, visit the unique villages of Mani and of course enjoy the famous Mani kitchen.

It's worth mentioning that ARCHELON in 1989, headquartered in Gytheio, started the first pilot programme of interactions between turtles and fisheries in Greece, in collaboration with the fishermen of Lakonikos Bay. This programme was the starting point for the expansion of the ARCHELON's activities in the sea and the development of cooperation programmes with fishermen in other areas. Also a Special Environmental Study and a Management Plan for the coastal zone have been completed under the EU LIFE-Nature programme which was held in the area with the participation of ARCHELON. Their aim is to promote sustainable management, with the cooperation of the local community for the effective protection of the natural environment and the sustainable development.