SPA RAC

🐢 On this World Sea Turtle Day, we are reminded that marine turtles still need our collective commitment to ensure their conservation across the Mediterranean.
On this occasion, we also highlight the upcoming 8th Mediterranean Conference on Marine Turtles, a key regional event to strengthen networking and collaboration in marine turtle research and conservation across the Mediterranean.

📅 𝟑𝟎 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐨𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐮𝐛𝐦𝐢𝐭 𝐚𝐛𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐬.

🌐 Learn more: https://medturtleconf.gr

🤝 Organized by ΑΡΧΕΛΩΝ-Archelon, the Sea Turtle Protection Society of Greece, the conference will take place in Marathon, Attica, Greece, with the technical and financial support of the UNEP/MAP-SPA/RAC and the IUCN Marine Turtle Specialist Group.

🌊From 12 to 14 May 2026, an exchange visit was organized in Gökova, Türkiye, within the framework of the “Management Support and Expansion of Marine Protected Areas in Libya (Child Project 3.1)” funded by GEF and implemented by UNEP/MAP SPA/RAC, UICN - Centre de coopération pour la Méditerranée and WWF North Africa , in close collaboration with the Ministry of Environment of Libya.

The visit brought together conservation practitioners from Libya, including representatives of national institutions and civil society organizations, alongside the Akdeniz Koruma Derneği team in Gökova involved in monitoring, MPA management and the ranger system, as well as representatives of the fishery cooperative.

Over three days, participants exchanged practical experience and perspectives, comparing the realities and specific contexts of each country while discussing solutions to shared challenges related to marine conservation and protected area management.

The unique setting of Gökova, between sea and mountains, as well as existing local facilities and initiatives, helped create a dynamic environment for dialogue, learning and cooperation.