Responsible travel: Turtles in Argostoli Harbour

Argostoli is a quaint and colourful town on the west side of Kefalonia island, a Greek paradise for wildlife lovers and travellers alike.

The town was once one of the busiest Greek ports but is now famed for its population of resident loggerhead turtles, which can be easily viewed from the harbour walls.

A background on Loggerhead turtles

The Loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) is a species of sea turtle found in the coral triangle of southeast Asia, the Mesoamerican reefs, and the east coast of Africa, but it is most common in the Mediterranean.

Loggerheads can grow to over a metre in length, and are named after their robust head shape, which supports strong jaw muscles allowing them to prey on crustaceans such as clams and sea urchins which have hard shells.

The IUCN has classified the species as vulnerable, as threats such as pollution, climate change, and entanglement in fishing gear are causing a decline in Loggerhead populations.

The Argostoli turtle population

Greece is known for being a turtle hotspot, and Argostoli harbour hosts an unusual resident population which can be reliably viewed from the harbour walls. This attraction draws thousands of visitors every year.

Loggerhead turtles are naturally a pelagic and solitary species, meaning they spend most of their time out at sea, alone. They usually only congregate in groups for breeding and egg-laying at suitable beaches in the spring/summertime and are gone by early winter.

However, human interference has impacted the natural behaviour of the turtles. They are now seen residing in Argostoli harbour year-round. The presence of fishing by-catch and tourist food thrown into the harbour waters attracts the turtles as this is easy prey for them.

Despite saving energy as they don’t have to actively hunt, these foods are poor-quality and unnatural. They have been linked to health issues such as premature death and increased mortality. Their natural food includes squid, jellyfish, and crustaceans, which have a different nutritional profile and are what the turtles’ digestive systems are adapted to process.

Trying to feed them other foods can be troublesome for their health. Turtles are territorial animals, and with more individuals attracted to the harbour by the promise of food, they are becoming increasingly aggressive. Fighting is now common, especially between males.

This aggression has increased mortality in Greece’s loggerhead population and causes significant stress and hormonal changes in the turtles. They have not evolved to be in such proximity with each other.

Unfortunately, fishermen and tour guides often feed the turtles deliberately to increase tourist numbers, whom they can then recruit as customers. While this may boost the economy of Argostoli to a small extent, it negatively impacts the turtle population. Their natural behaviour has been altered, they are fighting more, and losing their natural hunting abilities and seasonal migration instincts.

How to be a responsible visitor

Turtles are magnificent wild animals and are a totally fascinating and worth seeing if you are visiting the Argostoli area. But it is important to make sure you observe these animals in a safe and respectful way to avoid any negative interactions or impacts on the Argostoli turtle population.

#1 Keep your distance

You can view the turtles from the harbour wall, or the pedestrian bridge that crosses from the town to the mainland.

Avoid using flash photography, touching, or feeding the turtles, and ensure you are not supporting any irresponsible behaviour by only using accredited, sustainable tour companies which do not feed the turtles or try to deliberately attract them for tourism.

#2 Reduce light pollution

The turtles are monitored closely by volunteers, with eggs protected in hatcheries to increase juvenile survival and boost population numbers – many newly-hatched turtles succumb to exhaustion before making it to the ocean.

Human disturbances, light pollution, and entanglement or obstacles such as tourist developments and facilities can confuse and distress the turtles, disrupting their natural navigation and preventing successful migration into the ocean.

#3 Get engaged - start volunteering

Volunteering provides a wonderful opportunity to actively participate in conservation efforts and contribute to the well-being of turtles , fostering a sense of engagement and environmental stewardship.

There are many conservation organisations, such as Natucate, which are working to protect and manage these turtle populations in Argostoli and across Greece – if you would like to get involved in the active conservation work, check out the Natucate turtle conservation programme here.

#4 Avoid single-use plastic

Wherever you are in the world, there are simple steps you can take to help improve the health of the oceans, which indirectly benefits the Argostoli turtles as well as a multitude of other wildlife.

Avoiding single-use plastics and instead opting for biodegradable or reusable items reduces ocean litter which directly threatens marine life. You can also switch to natural-based and reef-safe sunscreen and cosmetic products, and participate in beach cleans in your spare time, or donate to conservation charities to support larger efforts.  

#5 Raise awareness

You can also help raise awareness on social media by sharing posts and showing others how they can help – and if you ever find a turtle nest on the beach, be sure to call the local wildlife line rather than investigate the contents of the nest yourself.

Safeguarding the well-being of turtles

These simple steps can help aid the conservation and restoration of Loggerhead turtle populations, in Greece and across the globe. Turtles are magnificent creatures and bare resemblance to ancient ancestors, providing a glimpse into the reptiles of the past.

Nobody wants to lose turtles from the ocean – and we don’t have to. With help from charities, governments, and scientists, we can come together to prevent Loggerhead turtles from further declines.