The mission of the Mediterranean Marine Life Center is to protect Caretta Caretta (Loggerhead Sea Turtles) and other marine life in and around the island of Zakynthos. Gerakas is at the heart of the Caretta Caretta nesting ground, and we are working to stave off damaging tourist development in the area to ensure that this endangered species is not overlooked. Our aim is to show how conservation and sustainable tourism can work together to benefit visitors, locals, and wildlife alike.

Each year tourism numbers grow, and subsequently the rise of human beach activity, pollution, lighting from island nightlife and beach erosion has contributed to a continual decline in the species population and annual hatchling survival rate. The Mediterranean Marine Life Center collects and tracks sea turtle nesting data, cleans and monitors Gerakas Beach during the nesting season, and works to develop protective policies in light of the area’s over-tourism. In 2011 we funded and began to build the Sea Turtle Information Center in Gerakas. The information center opened to the public in 2012, and has since encouraged visitors to take a closer look at the natural beauty, wildlife, and rich heritage of Zakynthos, and promoted the importance of sustainable tourism. We attract an estimated 15,000 tourists from across the globe every year!