2021 Italy

Mediterranean Ocean Literacy Festival

Supported by the Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries of the European Commission, the EU4Ocean Coalition organised its Mediterranean Ocean Literacy Festival, which showcased ocean literacy initiatives and activities from all coasts and countries of the Mediterranean Sea.

This Mediterranean Ocean literacy festival took place on Mediterranean Coast Day, September 25th, 2021, and was part of the wider EU4Ocean coalition Mediterranean Sea basin event (organised around September 24th and September 25th, 2021) which aims at bringing ocean literacy to everybody’s mind and actions in the Mediterranean Sea.


Convegnio Nazionale di Studi Costieri 2021, XII Premio G3

On the 24 of September, on the occasion of the Mediterranean Coast Day, the National Convention of Coastal Studies (CNSC) has been held at Ferrara’s Fiere e Congressi, within the frame of the RemTechExpo2021 technology fair, in the sphere of events dedicated to the coastal and marine management and protection, coastal engineering and small ports.

The participation of the most competitive companies in the sector participated, together with the representatives of the main authorities, including the ministries, the port authorities, the Regions and others. The event took place from 14:30 to 18:30.


Let's Make the Mediterranean Blue

A new wave of ocean literacy activities is fast approaching, this time the Mediterranean Sea basin. Supported by the Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries of the European Commission, the EU4Ocean Coalition prepared its Let's Make the Mediterranean Blue sea basin event, organised around Med Coast Day (September 25th).

It combined a rich and diverse programme on-site, in digital and in hybrid format, organised in different Mediterranean locations. Together, by connecting Mediterranean ocean literacy actors and initiatives, it served as a focal point for bringing ocean literacy to everybody’s mind and actions.


Mediterranean Sea Literacy for primary schools

The NGO Associazione Scienza under 18 Isontina, in collaboration with the Med group of EMSEA – European Marine Science Educators Association, organized a series of hands-on activities for the pupils of primary school “E.Toti” in Monfalcone, at the extreme northern corner of the Mediterranean Sea.

Pupils played and learn about the 29000 rubber ducks lost at sea in 1992, about the long journey of seashells from the Mesozoic Tethys Sea to become fossils in nearby Karstic hills, about modelling water cycle and much more.


#WeAreAllOceanCitizens in the Mediterranean

During this event, we presented the SDG14 module: its purpose, how it was created, who is it for, who are the experts that created the questions. Divided into four teams named after endangered or vulnerable Mediterranean species, participants took individually the Ocean Literacy quiz and attempted to score points for their team!

Every answer has been discussed by the moderator with Youth4Med forum members, leading to a concluding call for action: this quiz was made to be shared to help raise global awareness about the ocean because #WeAreAllOceanCitizens.


Ocean and climate change: Let's play!

The researchers of the National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics (OGS) - Oceanography section, EuroGOOS Ocean Literacy members, have created this educational game to involve students and teachers.

They challenged themselves and deepen their knowledge on climate and global warming - with a particular focus on the role of the oceans.


Oceanthon 2021: Mediterranean edition

Oceanthon was a digital hackathon entirely dedicated to innovation in the marine domain, organised on the occasion of the first year of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030) and within the framework of the Pre-Conference of the Parties (Pre-COP) of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

The event was addressed to everyone aged 18 and over, from researchers, innovators, developers, marine scientists, social scientists, designers, engineers, experts in economy, business and communication, from all the Mediterranean countries, who are ready to use their skills and entrepreneurial spirit and join forces to develop ideas that can respond to present and future challenges while promoting greater knowledge of the ocean, its protection and the sustainable use of marine resources.

The main theme of Oceanthon 2021 was "Ocean&Climate", and participants competed to address the increasingly important challenge related to the climate crisis, with the aim of finding interdisciplinary solutions to face global change effects on society and the environment.


Microplastics: Let's discover them together!

Plastic has now become essential in our daily lives because of its properties such as durability, impermeability, low density, low cost. But precisely because of its properties, plastic has also become the largest anthropogenic polluting debris in the environment.

The activity addressed the topic of marine litter, and in particular the origin and characteristics of microplastics, increasingly present in the seas and beaches around the world.

The activity has been carried out in the province of La Spezia under the coordination of INGV.


Exploring the coas of Lerici - Trekking from the beach of Venere Azzurra to Falconara

The path started from the beach of Venere Azzurra and passed through the beach of Marinella di San Terenzo, then it climbed to Falconara (Lerici, SP). During the scientific trekking there have been three stops, when the coastal environment has been "explored" and different themes has been addressed including: macro and microplastics on the beaches, alien species in the Gulf of La Spezia, anthropization of the coastal environment.

In Falconara, participants observed the recovery of vegetation in areas no longer subject to strict anthropogenic control. The activity carried out in the province of La Spezia under the coordination of INGV. The trek was open to all and the language has been calibrated according to the age and scientific background of participants.


Alla scoperta dell’acqua alta! 3rd Kid Acqua Alta Discovery

“Alla scoperta dell’acqua alta!” “ Kid Acqua Alta Discovery” is an experimental project for the new generations exposed to the risk of sea level rise and the violence of future storms, in order to accelerate the completion of the MOSE project and the set up of the new authorithy ALMA for the management of the lagoon and Mose smart operations.

The activities during the Coastday celebrations consisted of: Construction of hydrometric rods to measure the water level with photos or direct reading; Simultaneous water level readings across the entire Venice lagoon and beyond to discover tide delays and wind wave set up and into establishing a bench mark for monitoring relative sea level rise; The classes that collect the most interesting data will be rewarded with a trip to the lagoon.

The project was for children from 6-18 yeas old, and for schools located in and around the Venice lagoon in association with local rowing clubs. 25-26 September 2021 : Reading of the data and photos from different locations: a dozen readings taken several times at a distance of time are sufficient even outside school hours before and after the high/low tide (accompanied by a family member or teacher).


Carriere blu al femminile - Blue Jobs for Women

As a collaboration among EU-funded projects, bringing together the CNR team of the BlueS_Med project on Mediterranean Blue Schools and within the framework of our local ERN project named "Society Rinascimento", three ladies came together to talk about their career and personal experience as marine scientists for this EU Researchers Night Event.

A talk about blue female professions, ocean literacy and the Mediterranean, equal opportunities and gender issues has been given. The aim was to tell about some of the possible professions in the field of marine research that girls and women can pursue while giving voice to environmental issues in the Mediterranean, but also to equal opportunities and gender issues.

The session took place September 24 from 10:00 - 13:00 CEST and its recording have been exclusively made available for the Mediterranean Ocean Literacy Festival on September 25 from 10:00 - 13:00 CEST.


Indicit II Exhibition

Virtual tour of the exhibition planned in 2020 around the seven countries who were involved in the project and documentary of the project. Indicit and Indicit II are projects financed by the EU to support the Marine Strategy Framework Directive activities. The documentary runs about 28 minutes and the photografic exhibition takes about 20 minutes!


Ocean Careers Workshop

Obsessed with all things watery? Join the club! Want to turn your love for the ocean into a profession? Look no further. We know (from experience) that starting out in the marine industry can be daunting. But not to worry, The Marine Diaries is here to help!

Whether you’re just starting out on your ocean career, at school or university, a seasoned ocean professional looking to change track, or you’re just looking to find out more about marine careers - you can get advice from this workshop.


From Hell to Heaven: a journey into the Plasticocene

The activity consisted in a laboratory-exhibition on sea health created through a cathartic journey that aims to become a source fo reflection for the visitor on three possible scenarios, which refer to those of Dante.

The project combined art, science, information and involvement in a path of awareness and responsibility for a healthier and more sustainable society. The exhibition has been held at Magazzino 26 by the artist Elisabetta Milan, the scientific contributions are handled by the WWF - AMP Miramare while the conception and coordination of the project are by the Marevivo FVG Association.

The exhibition was organized with the contribution of the CR Trieste Foundation.


Discover the European Atlas of the Seas by visiting a virtual exhibition!

Data is key to understanding how we influence the ocean and seas and how the ocean and seas influence us. Visiting the European Atlas of the Seas space in the EMODnet virtual exhibition means discovering how this interactive tool can help you learn more about the ocean and seas; Watch the video tutorial and learn how to use the atlas in 6 minutes; Find out, from the 24 Atlas ambassadors, why it is important to care about the ocean and seas; Explore the map-based exercises and activities in the Atlas’ Teachers Corner; Test your knowledge with our biodiversity quiz.

The virtual exhibition was launched in June 2021 and remained accessible online until November 2021. To visit the Atlas space, turn right twice after entering the exhibition.


Dive into the European Atlas of the Seas!

Looking for information on the sea? Did you know that the European Atlas of the Seas includes more than 250 map layers on a wide variety of marine topics? Have a look at this presentation to see some of the map layers in the Atlas that can help you learn more about the Mediterranean Sea. Then dive into the Atlas to explore all of the other map layers!