Sea Turtle Nesting Reaches Record Levels in Greece Amid Conservation Success

Conservationists in Greece are celebrating a remarkable comeback for the Caretta caretta sea turtle, which has seen record numbers of nests in the past two years. This resurgence is being hailed as a testament to the tireless efforts by environmentalists to protect these ancient creatures.

Along the sandy shores of Sekania on the Ionian island of Zakynthos, where the Mediterranean’s most important nesting grounds for loggerhead sea turtles are located, numbers have reached unprecedented heights. Charikleia Minotou, who coordinates the WWF programme in the area, described it as beyond her wildest dreams.

Minotou believes that nature has its way of “sending messages.” The surge in turtle nests suggests that the conservation measures taken over the past 25 years are making a difference. She explained that the beach has become a safe haven for the turtles to nest, calling it “fantastic.”

Sea turtles are one of the oldest living species, believed to have existed for over 100 million years. Though they are highly migratory, female turtles return to the beaches where they were born to lay their eggs. This happens when they reach maturity, typically 20 to 25 years later.

On Sekania and other beaches in Zakynthos, turtles tagged at birth by conservationists are now returning to nest, completing the cycle. “It’s hugely moving,” says Minotou, highlighting the success of conservation strategies.

Minotou credited technological advances for part of this success. The installation of CCTV cameras has helped to protect hatchlings from predators like seagulls and ghost crabs. These measures have helped more than 1,200 nests form this year alone—about one every 50 centimeters along the beach.

From Spain in the west to Cyprus in the east, the entire Mediterranean has witnessed a record increase in sea turtle nesting. This success is largely due to the efforts of environmentalists committed to saving the Caretta caretta. These turtles were once on the brink of extinction, with only one in 1,000 hatchlings surviving to adulthood.

In Greece, the rebound has been especially dramatic. According to Archelon, the Sea Turtle Protection Society of Greece, the number of nests has soared to over 10,000 per year since 2023. Previously, the average was between 5,000 and 7,000 nests annually.

Dr. Aliki Panagopoulou, research coordinator for Archelon, noted that in the 2000s, annual declines of about 6% were observed in areas like Crete. Now, the numbers are climbing rapidly. Panagopoulou attributed this increase to decades of focused conservation efforts. “Our strategy has always been to make sure that as many hatchlings as possible get to the water and are recruited to the population,” she explained.

Thirty years ago, the situation was far different. Before the establishment of a state-funded marine park on Zakynthos, the plight of the turtles received little attention. Zakynthos is the biggest nesting ground for sea turtles in Greece, after the bay of Kyparissia in the Peloponnese.

Lily Venizelos, founder of the UK-based Mediterranean Association to Save the Sea Turtles (Medasset), has vivid memories of those difficult early years. She recalls lobbying Greek governments to enact policies to protect the Caretta caretta. At the time, the dangers included speedboat propellers, beach furniture, and unchecked human activity.

Venizelos, now in her 90s, spent years trying to bring awareness to the turtles’ struggles. She described the joy of seeing Caretta caretta recover as “wonderful.” However, she stressed that protective measures must continue. “One false move and everything could be lost,” she warned.

The rise in tourism also presents a new challenge. Greece is attracting record numbers of tourists, and by 2028, the country aims to host 40 million holidaymakers—nearly four times its population. Venizelos pointed out that “last-chance tours” to see endangered sites are becoming increasingly popular, something she described as “catastrophic.”

Venizelos criticized the conflicting interests in conservation. On one side, the EU supports measures to protect the species. On the other, tourism companies profit from tours to locations threatened by climate change and overtourism. “It makes no sense at all,” she said.

Since its inception, Medasset has focused on protecting marine turtles across the Mediterranean. Its small offices in downtown Athens have become a hub for similar groups from countries like Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, and Libya. In recent years, Medasset has expanded its mission to foster public awareness of sea turtles.

The NGO now runs educational programmes for children and older adults alike, aiming to win a place for sea turtles “in the hearts of the public.” Yet, the organization remains cautious about the future.

Campaigners warn that threats to sea turtles have not disappeared. The climate emergency, overfishing, pollution, and plastic waste are all growing concerns. Conservationists fear that officials may cite the recent progress to avoid further action, especially in Greece, where tourism is economically vital.

Nadia Andreanidou, Medasset’s programmes and policy officer, praised the increase in the Caretta caretta population as a direct result of conservation efforts. However, she also emphasized that government support is crucial to maintaining the momentum. “Now, more than ever, we need the support of the government to implement the laws we have pushed for,” she said.

The threats, Andreanidou noted, are still very present. Without ongoing effort, the progress made could easily unravel. Conservationists remain vigilant, knowing that the survival of the Caretta caretta depends on their continued dedication.