Conservationists are celebrating a resurgence of Caretta caretta sea turtles in Greece, where record numbers of nests have been documented. Charikleia Minotou, who coordinates the WWF program in Zakynthos, described this success as a clear sign that conservation efforts over the past 25 years are working.
According to Guardian, the loggerhead turtles, which have existed for over 100 million years, return to their birthplace to nest after migrating thousands of miles. In Zakynthos, 1,200 nests were recorded this year alone.
The Mediterranean has seen a rise in sea turtle nesting from Spain to Cyprus, thanks to the dedication of environmentalists. In Greece, which hosts 60% of Caretta caretta nests, numbers have dramatically increased, from 5,000 to 7,000 annually to over 10,000 since 2023, according to Archelon, Greece’s Sea Turtle Protection Society.
Conservationist Lily Venizelos, who founded Medasset in the 1980s, recalls years of lobbying for protection measures. She emphasized the need for ongoing enforcement of these protective measures, warning that one misstep could undo the progress made.
Despite the positive trends, concerns remain. The rise in tourism and “last-chance tours” threaten marine habitats, and new dangers such as climate change, overfishing, and plastic pollution persist. Nadia Andreanidou of Medasset highlighted the need for government support to maintain and expand current protections.
Conservationists agree that while significant progress has been made, sustained efforts are essential to keep the species safe from extinction.
Source: guardian
