Last year witnessed the sighting and registration of nearly 6,100 Caretta caretta sea turtle nests in Greece, a figure that translates into a 74%-increase in the specific number, as compared with the annual average over the past 12 years.

The figures were released on Wednesday by the Archelon sea turtle protection society, which noted that the Gulf of Kyparissia, along the southwest Peloponnese in extreme southern Greece, and the Laganas Gulf on the opposite Ionian Island of Zakynthos host more than 57% of all Caretta caretta (loggerhead) nests in the European Union.

The conservation group said that of the approximately 6,100 recorded nests, some 5,200 were located within a 9.5-kilometer core, while and roughly 900 were found north of the Neda River in the western Peloponnese. All of the nests are under observation and protection.

Finally, the group posted that 90 volunteers and researchers from Greece and abroad participated in a conservation program between May to September. Twenty-seven of the volunteers were 27 college students carrying out a field report requirement.