Zakynthos, Protection of Nesting activity

• Jan 28, 2016
• 6525 Views
• Nature

Zakynthos island is situated in the Ionian Sea off the west coast of mainland Greece. The climate is warm with plenty of sunshine. The island has an area of 406,000 ha and its coastline is approximately 110km long. However, only a small part of the coast is sandy beach. In Zakynthos, loggerhead sea turtles nest mainly on the beaches within the Bay of Laganas, which is on the southern part of the island. ARCHELON’s systematic surveys have confirmed that the Bay of Laganas is the most important nesting area for the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) in the Mediterranean Sea. This led to the establishment of the National Marine Park of Zakynthos in 1999.

Historical background to the legal protection of the nesting beaches of Zakynthos and the marine zone of the Bay of Laganas.
Due to the importance of Zakynthos as a reproduction area for the loggerhead sea turtle in the Mediterranean, the state introduced measures for its protection since 1984. The purpose of the legislation was to control and regulate development while maintaining the quality of the nesting beaches so that the sea turtles can continue visiting Zakynthos for generations to come. The 1984 measures were further strengthened in 1990 with the signing of a Presidential Decree. Based on this legislation, in addition to specific limitations relative to visitor numbers and the use of sunbeds and umbrellas, the following are mentioned:

1. Tourist developments are not permitted behind nesting beaches and the building of residences is strictly regulated
2. Artificial lighting is not permitted to affect nesting beaches
3. Vehicle use is not allowed on the beach

In 1988, by Ministerial Rule two marine zones were established. These occupy a large proportion of Laganas Bay. Within zone A, no boats or fishing activity are allowed. Accordingly, in zone B the speed limit is 6 knots, while anchoring is not allowed. Fish farms are prohibited in both zones. In 1994, after sustained effort by ARCHELON and other environmental organizations a third zone was established, zone C, in which anchoring is allowed but the speed limit of 6 knots applies. Consequently, speed boats were almost completely prohibited from the Bay of Laganas. These marine zones are marked with buoys in order to be visible to boat users.

Marathonissi

The uninhabited islet of Marathonissi is in the west of the Bay of Laganas. It has a small, 370m long beach made of pale thick sand on its north-west end. There are sand dunes on the back of the beach, which at some locations reach more than 50m inland. The steep hill behind the beach is covered by Mediterranean vegetation. The remains of an old monastery, belonging to the Church of Lithakia, is the only building on this islet. Tourists visit the beach during the day, on organised boat trips and by rented or private boats. Lights and noise from the residential areas of Laganas and Lithakia affect the beach during the night. Organized tours are allowed between 7:00am to 7:00pm from the 1st of May to the 31st of October. Visitors are only allowed to remain on the first 5m from the sea, as sea turtle nests are located on the back of the beach.

While most beaches within the Bay of Laganas mainly produce female hatchlings, the small beach on Marathonissi, with a mere length of 370 metres, produces mainly male sea turtles. This is caused by the slightly lower temperature of the beach sand on Marathonissi. The sex of sea turtle hatchlings is determined by the average temperature of the eggs during incubation. If the incubation temperature is above 29oC, the hatchlings will be females, while if it is below 29oC, they will be male. Indeed the pale colour of the sand on Marathonissi strongly reflects solar radiation, causing slightly lower sand temperature at the egg clutch depth. So while the beach of Marathonissi only receives 9% of the nests in Zakynthos, the fact they exclusively produce male turtles raises it to a crucial reproductive habitat for the survival of the Mediterranean loggerhead sea turtles.

East Laganas beach

East Laganas beach stretches eastwards from the last hotel of the developed part of Laganas (Louis Zante Beach Hotel), up to the Rock of Hipsolithos. East Laganas is characterised by fine sand mixed with small-sized pebbles and a landward extensive dune field. Visitors are allowed on the beach between 7:00am and 7:00pm from the 1st of May to the 31st of October.

Beach of Kalamaki

The beach of Kalamaki, with a length of 500m, is the eastward extension of the East Laganas beach, separated from it by the cliffs of Hipsolithos. Behind the beach there are low clay cliffs. A hotel has been constructed above the western part of the beach. The area has an easy access and it is visited by many people during the day. Visitors are allowed between 7:00am and 7:00pm from the 1st of May to the 31st of October. Visitors are only allowed to remain within a 5m distance from the sea, as sea turtle nests are located on the back of the beach.

According to legislation only 150 umbrellas and 300 sunbeds are allowed on the nesting beaches of E. Laganas and Kalamaki. These are to be removed every night. Despite this progress in legislation, problems with sunbeds and umbrellas still exist.

Sekania beach

Sekania beach (650m) is the one that stands out for its natural beauty and the highest nesting density for loggerheads in the Mediterranean. Sekania supports well over 50% of the total number of nests made in the whole Bay. Due to its importance, ARCHELON has been urging the Government to expropriate or buy the private land behind the beach, in order to declare it a site of absolute protection. Finally in 1994, WWF Greece, following recommendations by ARCHELON, purchased a large part of the land behind the nesting beach. This was achieved with partial funding from the European Union and the support of the Greek Ministry of Environment. According to existing legislation public access is prohibited.

Daphni

Daphni stands out as the beach with the most problems. All 15 illegal buildings constructed behind the beach of Daphni have not been removed. Following recommendations by the Council of Europe, the removal of illegal buildings at Daphni has been an obligation of the Greek Government since 1986, when only two prefabricated buildings existed. Unfortunately, nothing has been done so far towards this end on behalf of the state. Illegal embankments, street laying, planting of exotic species, and corrosion of the beach have destroyed the beach profile on many locations. Since 2006, the Management Agency of the Park came into agreement with the owners and imposed measures on the operation of the buildings and the beach management. Visitors are allowed from 7:00am to 7:00pm from the 1st of May to the 31st of October and must not exceed 100 at any one time. Visitors are only allowed within the first 5m from the sea, as sea turtle nests are located on the back of the beach.

Gerakas

Gerakas is a 15-30m wide beach, with fine and soft sand, and a length of 600m. The beach is backed by clay cliffs which shield off the lights of the two tavernas and the few houses that have been recently built further inland. A paved road comes very close to the beach and vehicles are parked there. There is only one access to the beach by a trail coming down through the cliffs. Due to its fair access, Gerakas attracts hundreds of visitors every day during the summer season. According to legislation only 60 umbrellas and 120 sunbeds are allowed at the western end of Gerakas, and the number of visitors on the beach at any one time should not exceed 350. Visitors are allowed from 7:00am to 7:00pm between the 1st of May and the 31st of October. They have to remain within the first 5m from the sea, as sea turtle nests are located on the back of the beach.

On every encounter with a sea turtle in the water, it is very important to seek the least possible disturbance of the animal (as in every other wildlife encounter). This can be achieved when turtle spotting fulfils at least some basic standards that guarantee the calmness of the sea turtle, such as:

• doesn’t exceed 10-15 minutes near the same turtle,
• holds a distance of 10-15 metres from the animal,
• avoids crowding near it (by beach users or boats, with no more than two boats at any one time) and the observers remain calm (e.g. Low-voiced conversation),
• observations are made at a low speed in order not to disturb the animal (no more than two knots),
• any physical contact with the animal is avoided,
• the animal is not approached from the front (and the boat does not pass over it)
• the observers move away on the first indication that the animal is disturbed (e.g. Sudden change of direction, acceleration, sudden diving while basking, often emergences to breathe)
• observations are made during the day (and not during the night).

However, sea turtle observation activities carried out in the Bay of Laganas do not always follow the above basic rules of sustainable observation, nor do they follow the regulations for this special area (e.g. the speed limit of 6 knots to avoid collision with a sea turtle), often placing the turtles in danger.

All visitors of the National Marine Park of Zakynthos should be fully informed about the existing regulations to ensure the well-being of this important sea turtle population concentrated in the Bay of Laganas. Because these regulations have been set to ensure the coexistence of humans and sea turtles to the benefit of both.

Source: www.archelon.gr

Protection of Nesting activity in Peloponnesos

• Jan 28, 2016
• 5969 Views
• Nature

The Gulf of Kyparissia
Kyparissiakos Bay is the second biggest Mediterranean reproduction habitat of the Caretta caretta sea turtle. It is situated in West Peloponnesse, and extends from Katakolo cape, in the north, to Kounelos cape in the south. The magnificent sandy beach is 46 km long and it is only interrupted by Alfios River and two smaller ones – Neda and Arkadikos. The really magnificent scenery is characterized by the pine trees coastal forest all along the upper part of the beach, by the biggest and richest zone of sand dunes in Greece and by the intense ripple of the Ionian Sea that offers moments of peace and relaxation.

In Kyparissiakos Bay there are almost 700 Caretta caretta nests on a yearly basis, the majority of which (86%) is mainly found in the southest part of the bay, and more specifically, in a 10 km area, between Neda estuary and Kalo Horio village, which constitutes the heart of the habitat. This area has been included in the European network Natura 2000 under the code GR2550005 “Thines Kyparissias: Noehori – Kyparissia” mainly due to the reproduction of the sea turtles and the protected flora in the sand dunes zone. The sea area round the bay has also been included in the same network of protected areas under the code GR2330008 “Kyparissia bay sea area: Katakolo cape – Kyparissia” due to the existence of widespread Poseidonia meadows which constitute feeding and reproduction places for plenty and various organisms.

“Neda” Project in Giannitsochori of Ilia Prefecture
Kyparissiakos Bay is the second biggest Mediterranean reproduction habitat of the Caretta caretta sea turtle. It is situated in West Peloponnesse, and extends from Katakolo cape, in the north, to Kounelos cape in the south. The magnificent sandy beach is 46 km long and it is only interrupted by Alfios River and two smaller ones – Neda and Arkadikos. The really magnificent scenery is characterized by the pine trees coastal forest all along the upper part of the beach, by the biggest and richest zone of sand dunes in Greece and by the intense ripple of the Ionian Sea that offers moments of peace and relaxation.
In Kyparissiakos Bay there are almost 700 Caretta caretta nests on a yearly basis, the majority of which is mainly found in the southest part of the bay, and more specifically, in a 10 km area, between Neda estuary to the North and Kalo Nero village to the South, which constitutes the heart of the habitat. A significant number of nests, however, are found in the section of the bay which is located north of Neda estuary, until Giannitsochori of Ilia Prefecture, length of 4 km. The entire area has been included in the European network Natura 2000 under the code GR2550005 “Thines Kyparissias: Noehori – Kyparissia” mainly due to the reproduction of the sea turtles and the protected flora in the sand dunes zone. The sea area round the bay has also been included in the same network of protected areas under the code GR2330008 “Kyparissia bay sea area: Katakolo cape – Kyparissia” due to the existence of widespread Poseidonia meadows which constitute feeding and reproduction places for plenty and various organisms.

Since 1983 ARCHELON conducts a project of recording and protecting reproduction activity in the area between Neda estuaries and Kalo Horio village. In addition to this project and due to the celebration of 30 years since its foundation, ARCHELON opens a new project in Kyparissiakos Bay named “Neda”. The new project is placed in Giannitsoxori of Ilia Perfecture and will cover the area between Neda estuary to the South and Giannitsoxori to the North. Reproduction period starts late May and lasts till October. During this period, and more specifically from June 1 till September 30, with the participation of volunteers from around the world.

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.

Koroni
Koroni, a beautiful coastal town of Messinia, is located at the southwestern end of the Messinian Gulf and is about 50 km away from Kalamata. It has about 2,000 inhabitants, most of who are engaged in agriculture, fishing and tourism, while it is estimated that during the summer months its population exceeds the 10,000, since because of its beauty, it is one of the major tourist destinations of Messinia. Koroni is famous for its Venetian castle that looms over the city, its special picturesqueness which is due to not only its unique geographical position, but also its architectural composition and the golden beaches that surround it.

The significance of the Zaga – Memi beach in Koroni (2.7 km long) for the reproduction of the sea-turtle Caretta caretta had been identified since the late 80’s. It is a crowded beach that hosts an average of 40 nests every year. Since 1995 ARCHELON conducts each summer a project aiming the record and the protection of the nests. The reproductive activity begins in early June and ends in the middle of September. During this period, especially from 5 June through 15 September, with the participation of volunteers from around the world.

Volunteers can spend their free time having sea baths, attend one of each kind of cultural events that take place daily in Koroni, carefree browse the quaint streets of the city with their special houses and cobblestone streets and of course visit the neighboring beautiful cities in the region (Methoni Finikounda, Pylos, Gialova) where history and ancient monuments meet the rich natural beauty with many protected species of flora and fauna.

Information and activities
Since 1983 ARCHELON conducts a project of recording and protecting reproduction activity in the area between Neda estuaries and Kalo Horio village. Reproduction period starts late May and lasts till October. During this period, and more specifically from May 15 till September 30, with the participation of volunteers all over the world, ARCHELON runs the following activities:

• Morning observation, during which reproductive activity is recorded daily.
• Night observation and marking of adult sea turtles
• 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 Kalo Nero village, 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.

In the frame of the European Community LIFE – Nature program, conducted in the area by ARCHELON, two main actions should be noted:

• A special Environmental Study and Managerial Project for the coastal zone have been worked out in the aim of promoting – in collaboration with local society – a sustainable management for the efficient protection of the physical environment and the controlled development of the local economy
• A Scientific and Environmental Station has been founded in Agiannakis area which, in the range of environmental education program, organizes guided tours for schools and visitors.

Source: www.archelon.gr

Project area Amvrakikos

• Jan 28, 2016
• 5770 Views
• Nature

Amvrakikos Gulf is semi-closed sea in the north-west part of Greece. It is watered by plenty of fresh waters and sediments, thanks to the rivers Arachthos, Louros, Vovos and Krikeliotis. It has a warm climate, shallow waters, many lagoons of a small depth and marshlands. All these favour the development of local flora and fauna, making the gulf one the most important wetlands of Europe. ARCHELON’s activity the past years has confirmed a significant presence of turtles in the area, especially near the estuaries of the rivers in the north-east part of the Gulf, although there has not been a record of a nesting site within the Gulf.

Protection of the region
The ecosystem of the Amvrakikos gulf is one of the 11 wetland regions of our country that have been characterized “of international importance” and are protected by the international treaty RAMSAR.

Due to the rarity of the morphology of the area, and also due to the presence of rare and endangered species, the wetlands have been included in the NATURA 2000 Network, the Barcelona convention (a convention on the protection of the Mediterranean Sea from pollution) and is protected by virtue of the Berne convention (regarding the conservation of European wildlife and natural habitats) and the Bonne convention.

The need to protect and preserve the area’s unique ecosystem, has led to the establishment of the National Park and the Amvrakikos Management Body, in 2008, that specifies usages, conditions and restrictions for the terrestrial, aquatic and sea regions of the Amvrakikos Gulf.

The work of ARCHELON
ARCHELON has been monitoring the area for the past decade in order to research the turtle presence by spotting, tagging and satellite tracking the population.

Last year’s positive data has led us to establish a full season project in the area for the first time, in order to gather more information on the population’s activity. The field work consists of turtle monitoring and raising public awareness in the local community. Volunteers will have a closed contact with the turtles as they will be trained to spot and capture them in order to gather all the data needed.

Source: www.archelon.gr