9 – 13 November 2026 | Marathon, Attica, Greece
About the Conference
Since its inception in 2001, the Mediterranean Conference on Marine Turtles has served as the premier regional gathering for researchers, conservationists, and policymakers. This event brings together experts from across disciplines and cultures to share a common goal: the conservation of marine turtles and the protection of their marine and coastal environments.
The 8th Mediterranean Conference will provide a platform for enhancing collaboration, exchanging innovative ideas, and sharing state-of-the-art knowledge on sea turtle biology and conservation across the Mediterranean basin.
Message from the President
It is my great pleasure and honor to invite you to our next big gathering, the 8th Mediterranean Conference on Marine Turtles, scheduled to take place between 9 and 13 November, 2026.
The previous 7 conferences in Italy, Turkey, Tunisia, Croatia and Morocco have provided a platform for the exchange of knowledge and ideas, but even more importantly, they enhanced networking and collaboration in the field of sea turtle research and conservation across the Mediterranean. This conference aims to further build on this.
The Mediterranean Sea, a cradle of civilizations and empires now faces challenges such us the collapse of fish stocks due to overfishing, hypertourism, and climate change. Sea turtles have been swimming in the Mediterranean for tens of thousands of years. Despite the many pressures and threats they face, as the result of almost 50 years of efforts, their populations are now recovering marking them as a conservation success story. Reflecting on their resilience and role in promoting healthy ecosystems, the theme of the 8th Mediterranean Conference is “Guardians of Our Ancient Sea”.
The conference venue, the 4-star Golden Coast Hotel & Resort, located right next to the Marathon beach. Situated on the northeastern coast of Attica overlooking the South Euboean Gulf, Marathon is a place where legend and history converge. Most famous for the pivotal Battle of Marathon in 490 BC, the town’s name has become globally synonymous with endurance and the classic 42.2km race. Marathon also offers a landscape defined by rolling hills, fertile plains, and the pristine waters of the Aegean. Today, it remains a site of immense cultural significance, inviting visitors to explore the roots of Western history while enjoying the natural beauty of the Attic coastline.
We have put together strong Steering and Program Committees that will preside over the program.
So, everything is set: a challenging conference theme, prominent guest speakers, an easily accessible and affordable venue, a scenic location, good food, and of course a field trip I am not allowed to discuss – but promise it will be memorable.
However, the success of a conference is always about the people. Therefore, I invite you all – students, professionals and all who care about sea turtles and the future of the Mediterranean to register and come to Marathon to the 8th Mediterranean Conference on Marine Turtles.
My team and I will do our best to make this Conference a memorable scientific, professional and social event – the reunion of old friends with the new generation of sea turtle researchers and conservationists.
Looking forward to seeing you all in Marathon!
On behalf of the Conference Organizing and Program Committees,
Aliki Panagopoulou
President, 8th Mediterranean Conference on Marine turtles
Important Dates
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*Early Bird, Regular and Student Registration Fees include all conference materials, coffee breaks, access to plenary talks, all conference sessions, workshops, and social events (Welcome Reception, Conference Dinner).
Accompanying Person/ One day participant Registration Fee includes access to Welcome Reception and Conference Dinner.
Conference Announcements
3rd announcement
Dear friends and colleagues,
Time is moving very fast, and the 8th Mediterranean Conference on Marine Turtles is fast approaching. The Conference will take place in Marathon, Attica Greece between 9 and 13 November, is hosted by ARCHELON the Sea Turtle Protection Society and partnered by UNEP MAP-SPA/RAC and the Marine Turtle Specialist Group.
All organizers, including myself, have been working hard putting together what we hope to be a memorable event celebrating turtles as a flagship species for coastal and marine protection as well as friendships and partnerships forged over the last more than 20 years.
For now, I am happy to announce that the website of the conference has now gone live and includes all the information required to start planning your attendance. Please visit www.medturtleconf.gr to learn more about the event, the venue, the program, registration fees, etc. The website will be continuously updated as more information becomes available. You may also follow us on Facebook, where we will be posting news and updates. If you have visited either of the two and still have questions, you may reach out at:
For general inquiries: info@medturtleconf.gr
For matters related to the program: program@medturtleconf.gr
Please remember that now is the time to submit your proposals for workshops, round table discussions or other events. You can find more information and submit your ideas here. The deadline for workshop proposals is 31 March, 2026, but I will send more information on that on a separate mail.
I hope you are all getting as excited to come to the conference in November as my colleagues and I are to be your hosts – See you in Marathon!
Aliki Panagopoulou
President of the 8th Mediterranean Conference on Marine Turtles
2nd announcement
Dear friends and colleagues,
Time is moving very fast, and the 8th Mediterranean Conference on Marine Turtles is fast approaching. The Conference will take place in Marathon, Attica Greece between 9 and 13 November, is hosted by ARCHELON the Sea Turtle Protection Society and partnered by UNEP MAP-SPA/RAC and the Marine Turtle Specialist Group.
All organizers, including myself, have been working hard putting together what we hope to be a memorable event celebrating turtles as a flagship species for coastal and marine protection as well as friendships and partnerships forged over the last more than 20 years.
For now, I am happy to announce that the website of the conference has now gone live and includes all the information required to start planning your attendance. Please visit www.medturtleconf.gr to learn more about the event, the venue, the program, registration fees, etc. The website will be continuously updated as more information becomes available. You may also follow us on Facebook, where we will be posting news and updates. If you have visited either of the two and still have questions, you may reach out at:
For general inquiries: info@medturtleconf.gr
For matters related to the program: program@medturtleconf.gr
Please remember that now is the time to submit your proposals for workshops, round table discussions or other events. You can find more information and submit your ideas here. The deadline for workshop proposals is 31 March, 2026, but I will send more information on that on a separate mail.
I hope you are all getting as excited to come to the conference in November as my colleagues and I are to be your hosts – See you in Marathon!
Aliki Panagopoulou
President of the 8th Mediterranean Conference on Marine Turtles
1st announcement
Dear friends and colleagues,
It has been a while, but I am very happy to announce that our next big gathering, the 8th Mediterranean Conference on Marine Turtle is scheduled to take place between 9 and 13 November, 2026.
Since their first launch in 2001, our Mediterranean gatherings have been supported by the UNEP MAP-RAC/SPA, Bern Convention, CMS and the IUCN/SSC Marine Turtles Specialist Group, and this tradition continues today. These past conferences have provided a platform for the exchange of knowledge and ideas, but even more importantly, they enhanced networking and collaboration in the field of sea turtle research and conservation across the Mediterranean.
With the 8th Conference we intend to further build on this. The Mediterranean Sea, a cradle of civilizations and empires now faces challenges such the collapse of fish stocks due to overfishing, hypertourism, and climate change. Sea turtles have been swimming in the Mediterranean for tens of thousands of years, and despite the many pressures and threats their populations are recovering as the result of almost 50 years of efforts becoming a conservation success. Reflecting on their resilience and role in promoting healthy ecosystems, the theme of the 8th Mediterranean Conference is “Guardians of Our Ancient Sea”.
Organized by ARCHELON, the Conference will take place in Marathon, Attica, Greece overlooking the Aegean Sea but also a historic site, famous for the battle that was fought in 490 BC and current starting point of the classic Marathon race.
A little more information: the Conference venue is the 4-star Golden Coast Hotel & Bangalows, located right next to the beach of Marathon. The venue is easily accessible from the Athens International Airport (Eleftherios Venizelos), while Athens is less than one hour away. More information about the venue and daily rates will be made available very soon.
It is my great pleasure and honor to invite you to the 8th Mediterranean Conference on Marine Turtles and look forward to welcoming you all in person in Marathon next year. So please save the dates, start thinking about your ideas for workshops, presentations and/or other events and stay tuned for more information that my colleagues and I will be posting as it becomes available.
See you soon in Marathon, Attica, Greece!
On behalf of the Conference Organizing and Program Committees,
Aliki Panagopoulou
President of the 8th Mediterranean Conference on Marine Turtles
Call for Workshops
Would you like to run a workshop, round table discussion, or other event during the 8th Mediterranean Conference, held at the Golden Coast Hotel in Marathon, Attica, Greece from 9 to 13 November 2026?
Well, now is the time to submit your proposal!
The Conference organizers have set aside a three-hour slot in the daily schedule (14:30 – 17:30) dedicated to workshops, round table discussions, or other events consistent with the Conference theme, “Guardians of our Ancient Sea”.
The format and content of each workshop or event is determined by its organizers and may spread over more than one day if necessary. Due to budget and space restrictions, only a limited number of workshops, round table discussions or other side events will be accommodated.
The number of workshops will be finalized based on the number of proposals submitted and total workshop duration requested in proposals received.
To be considered, all workshops, round tables and other events must be open to all Conference participants, i.e. they should not be restricted to attendants by invitation only.
To apply, please use this form
Deadline for proposals is 31 March, 2026.
Applicants will be notified by 30 April, 2026.
Host Organization
Supporting Organizations
PROGRAM & EVENTS
Stay up to date with our schedule featuring over 200 participants and more than 140 oral and poster presentations. Explore our diverse program of workshops, oral sessions, and social events all centered at the venue hotel.
9 – 13 November 2026 | Marathon, Attica, Greece
Workshops
Call for workshops
Would you like to run a workshop, round table discussion or other event during the 8th Mediterranean Conference, held at the Golden Coast Hotel in Marathon, Attica, Greece from 9 to 13 November 2026?
Well now is the time to submit your proposal!
The Conference organizers have set aside a three-hour slot in the daily schedule (14:30 – 17:30) dedicated to workshops, round table discussions, or other events consistent with the Conference theme, “Guardians of our Ancient Sea”.
The format and content of each workshop or event is determined by its organizers and may spread over more than one day if necessary. Due to budget and space restrictions however, only a limited number of workshops, round table discussions or other side events will be allocated space.
The number of workshops will be finalized based on the number of proposals submitted and total workshop duration requested in proposals received.
To be considered, all workshops, round tables and other events must be open to all Conference participants, i.e. should not be restricted to attendants by invitation only.
To apply, please use this form.
Deadline for proposals is 31 March, 2026.
Applicants will be notified by 30 April, 2026.
Field trip
TRAVEL & VENUE
Venue
The conference will be held at the Golden Coast Hotel & Resort, located in the historic region of Marathon, Attica, Greece. Overlooking the Aegean Sea, the venue sits at the legendary starting point of the original Marathon race. The name “Marathon” has become globally synonymous with endurance, giving its name to the iconic 42.2 km long-distance race celebrated worldwide.