Record Rise in Sea Turtle Nesting Across the Mediterranean
From Spain in the west to Cyprus in the east, the Mediterranean has witnessed a significant increase in sea turtle nesting. This rise is the result of years of dedication, conservation efforts, and technological advances.
Zakynthos: A Sea Turtle Haven
Nowhere is this more evident than on the Greek island of Zakynthos, often described as the largest loggerhead turtle maternity ward in the Mediterranean. Since 2023, Greece has recorded over 10,000 sea turtle nests on its beaches, a substantial increase from the previous average of 6,000 in the 21st century.
Conservation Efforts and Their Impact
“Throughout the 2000s, we were registering annual declines of about 6% on Crete, for example,” said Dr. Aliki Panagopoulou, research coordinator for Archelon, the Sea Turtle Protection Society of Greece. Now, after decades of conservation work, Greece is seeing a dramatic increase in nesting numbers. The strategy has always been focused on ensuring as many hatchlings as possible make it to the water, ultimately contributing to population growth.
Hatchling Survival Rates
Another exciting development is the rising number of sea turtle hatchlings surviving into adulthood—normally a rare occurrence with only 1 in 1,000 surviving under natural circumstances. Turtles tagged with radio trackers at birth are now returning to Zakynthos beaches to nest, sometimes 20 to 25 years later.
Monitoring and Protection Strategies
In some areas of Zakynthos, such as Sekania Beach, there is now one nest for every 50 square centimeters of sand. Many beaches are carefully monitored during the nesting season, a strategy that has also been used effectively in Florida. The installation of CCTV cameras has helped protection teams watch for predators like ghost crabs and seagulls, which pose a threat to the hatchlings.
Global Success Stories
Greece is not alone in experiencing a turtle nesting boom. In 2022, Georgia recorded an all-time high for loggerhead sea turtle nests, just shy of 4,000. In 2023, Palm Beach County, Florida, saw over 20,000 nests—a rate unprecedented in the area.
African Turtle Havens
Across the globe, African turtle havens like Seychelles and Cape Verde have also reported massive increases in turtle nesting. Cape Verde recorded 200,000 sea turtle nests in 2020, a testament to the nation’s efforts to reduce poaching of turtles and their eggs.