Registration Desk
Special Fees
Important Registration Information
- Early Bird, Regular and Student registrations include conference materials, coffee breaks, attendance to plenary talks, conference sessions, workshops and the welcome dinner.
- Accompanying person / One-day participant registration includes conference sessions and workshops and applies for one single day during the conference. For attendance on multiple days, full registration fees apply.
- Participation in the Field Trip and Gala Dinner is optional. More information will be announced soon.
Important Dates
Conference Information
Notes
Please note that if your room reservation is not completed by 10 October 2026, availability at the hotel venue cannot be guaranteed.
In order for abstracts to be accepted, reviewed by the Scientific Committee, and included in the Conference program and the Book of Abstracts, the registration fee payment for all presenting authors must be completed by 30 June 2026.
Abstracts and travel grant applications cannot be submitted without having paid the conference registration fees.
Cancellation and refund requests must be received in writing via e-mail to registration@medturtleconf.gr.
A processing fee of 15% will be charged for cancellations received until 14 October 2026.
No refunds will be issued for cancellation requests on or after 15 October 2026. No refunds will be issued for no-shows.
Please allow up to 20 business days for refunds to be processed.
Press Pass
Editors, press reporters and bloggers from verified media outlets will receive free editorial press badges.
To obtain a press pass, please contact info@medturtleconf.gr.
For your convenience please contact us 3 days prior to the conference.
Additional Information
- Abstract submission will be available soon
- Travel grant applications will be available soon
- Participants may arrange their accommodation through the official booking platform available at: Booking.
For assistance with the registration process, payment issues, abstract submission or scientific program questions:
Abstract Session Descriptions
This session will focus on nesting beaches, nesting females, nests, hatchlings, eggs, and other related topics. Relevant subjects include assessments of nesting population size, modelling of population parameters, long-term monitoring of nesting trends, forecasting population change, behavior of turtles on nesting beaches, hatching/emergence success and hatchling production, sea-finding behaviour, environmental impacts on egg viability or nesting, and related topics. The session may also include topics such as population demography (i.e. survival probabilities, and reproductive rates); abundance and trends; population structure and population connectivity; population genetics.
This session broadly encompasses the biology of sea turtles at sea, including research on turtles of all life-history stages, aiming to better understand the biology and ecology of turtles in their underwater habitats. Suitable topics include behavioral or observational studies related to migration, diving, foraging, or navigation, growth rates as well as sightings, surveys and monitoring of turtles at sea (e.g., in developmental habitats or foraging areas), conservation status evaluations, and the structure and dynamics of populations, subpopulations, and metapopulations. Other topics include telemetry and movements, patterns of resource use and residency, mating behavior and social interactions, feeding behavior and diet composition, the ecological role turtles play in their diverse habitats, and the implications of habitat condition on the health and sustainability of turtles.
This session focuses on the evaluation of natural and anthropogenic threats that degrade the condition of critical sea turtle habitats, or which increase the risk of mortality and major population declines of sea turtles. Topics include fisheries bycatch, characterization of fishing gear and fishing effort, strandings due to any factor, impact of degradation of nesting and feeding habitats, impacts of urban development in coastal areas, and emerging threats from climate change, among others. Presentations may also include evaluation of potential impacts of either known or newly discovered threats, as well as proposed or actual measures taken to reduce risks to turtle populations.
This session includes research on all aspects of sea turtle form and function, and how these relate to the environment. Studies and reports fitting in the anatomy, physiology, and health session include anatomy, functional morphology, physiology, reproductive physiology, embryonic development, physiological stress, toxicology, thermal biology/thermoregulation, osmoregulation, and their relationships to normal turtle health. Further, this session includes research on rehabilitation and veterinary care and on individual and population-wide health problems. Includes studies and reports on diseases, veterinary care, rehabilitation, and health assessment.
This session highlights work on economic, legal, policy, and management aspects of sea turtles and their conservation. Topics include studies and reports that address issues of legislative support and enforcement, policies and programs that safeguard sea turtles and their habitats, management issues related to sea turtle monitoring and conservation, and related matters. This session also includes reports on the implementation, results, and impact of initiatives and international agreements pertaining to sea turtle protection. Abstracts submitted should include robust evaluation of implementation, methodology and policy or describe use and application of new tools in management initiatives that result in successful conservation outcomes. A strong component of this session is outreach, and socio-cultural issues. Topics include innovative educational methods for raising awareness of sea turtles and promoting their conservation in different parts of the region, as well as efforts to develop and enhance advocacy efforts on behalf of sea turtles at any level of community or government. In addition, we welcome themes that broadly explore the human dimension of sea turtles and the importance of turtles in diverse cultures and societies around the region, in accordance with the Conference theme “Guardians of our Ancient Sea”.
Disclaimer: Session descriptions rely heavily on those provided at the International Sea Turtle Symposium page.
ABSTRACT SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
Presentations, both oral and poster, are the core component of the 8th Conference on Marine Turtles and provide a structured platform for students, researchers, conservationists, and policymakers to share groundbreaking studies, innovative conservation strategies, and critical insights into sea turtle biology and ecology.
The 8th Mediterranean Conference will consist of oral presentations during the morning sessions, posters displayed at a dedicated exhibition area, and workshops that will occur during the evenings.
All abstracts should be submitted in the designated Abstract Manager, and should comply with the guidelines below:
- Each individual, whether listed as lead or co-author, may serve as the presenting author (name in bold on the abstract) on a maximum of three abstracts. Of these, only one may be a “Prefer oral” presentation; the other two must be “Prefer poster” presentations.
- All abstracts must be in English and not exceed 500 words, excluding acknowledgements. Please note that there is a special section in the abstract manager where acknowledgements must be added (up to 80 words).
- The submitting author should select the session topic
- The submitting author should select if they would like their abstract to be considered for an oral or poster presentation. If unsure, then the presenting author may select the “No Preference option”
- If eligible, submitting authors can nominate themselves and their work for a Student Awards. To be eligible, students must have graduated within the 12 months prior to the conference and provide proof of their status.
Travel Grants
The organizers of the 8th Mediterranean Conference on Marine Turtles are pleased to announce that limited travel support is available to assist students and qualifying applicants to attend the conference in Marathon, Attica, Greece.
Priority will be given to applicants who are presenting, demonstrate financial need, or come from under-represented countries in the Mediterranean region.
Travel support mainly includes accommodation (including breakfast and lunch). Accommodation will be shared in double occupancy rooms as assigned by the Travel Grant Chair.
Application Procedure
- Register for the conference and pay the registration fee ( Register Here ). Submit your abstract for consideration ( Submit Abstract Here ).
- Complete the online travel grant application before the deadline.
Grant Recipient Responsibilities
- Attend the entire conference ( 9–13 November 2026).
- Volunteer for conference tasks if required.
- Acknowledge travel support from the conference.
For assistance with travel grant applications:
Email: travel@medturtleconf.gr