Society for the Sea Turtles of Kefalonia SSTK
SSTK is a not for profit non governmental organisation set up in 2018 in accordance with the laws of Greece to
1. rehabilitate sick and injured sea turtles
2. educate and sensitize both the local and wider community...
of the challenges facing sea turtles and their eco systems in Kefalonia
3. provide advice and guidance...
to both the local and wider community about the steps that they can take to create a better environment for turtles and ensure their continued survival.
4. work with and support other organisations that carry out scientific research...
which in turn are aimed at (I) understanding the problems sea turtles face in Kefalonia (ii) finding and effecting solutions to these problems (iii) publishing guidelines and/or lobbying for legislation to put such guidelines into effect.
Latest News
Head injuries becoming a norm in Kefalonia.
Help us to set up a Sea Turtle rehabilitation centre in Kefalonia
SSTK seeks to obtain premises from the local government in Argostoli which can be used as a rehabilitation and education centre in order to achieve the Society’s stated aims. The local government have fully recognised the valuable benefit that turtles bring to the island for the improvement of wildlife preservation and diversity as well as the obvious interest from tourists.
Kefalonia is home to two species of sea turtle of the seven existing species; loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) which nest on and forage around Kefalonia’s coast and Green sea turtles (chelonis mydas) that only forage around the island. All sea turtles are endangered and are protected by Greek and European Law.
Currently, loggerhead turtles, are an everyday sight in Argostoli harbour and they are particularly common when the local fishing boats return in the morning to the harbour.
The right premises
Premises at or very close to the harbour are necessary to be able to educate tourists about the loggerhead turtles, their complex life cycles and why, for example, it is not a good idea to feed fish to the turtles in addition to the scraps they may collect from the fisherman (turtles are too slow to catch fish so it is a bit like giving a dog chocolate) and the effects of plastic/netting in the sea on turtles.
Just as importantly, premises are needed to provide rehabilitation facilities for turtles that are injured through, for example, boat strikes, ingestion of or entanglement with fish hooks, netting, plastic or injured by human attack (sadly, it still happens) or that have become prey to parasites or otherwise fallen ill.
Find out more about Members and Donations