Eco-Navigation
Help us help the sea!
Overview
Become part of something greater than yourself by joining Eco-Navigation, an initiative from Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation meant to tap into the plethora of people who enjoy the beautiful seas of the Mediterranean. We share these marine environments with an uncommonly diverse collection of creatures, and the efforts of researchers alone are not enough to maintain this biodiversity. The observations of sailors, divers, fishermen, and all other users of the sea are crucial for helping make a difference in the region.
Eco-Navigation provides a system for anyone to report sightings of pollution or marine life such as dolphins, whales, seals, turtles, invasive species, jellyfish blooms, and any other unusual marine organisms, with submitted photographs being encouraged. These contributions of citizen science are important data for combating rising climate and human threats to the Mediterranean.
MARINE OBSERVATION RECORDING FORM
Enjoy Our Seas with Respect
DON'T
DO
Approach or enter sea caves
Mediterranean monk seals live in caves and human presence causes them disturbance making them abandon these safe shelters
Collect marine organisms as souvenirs
Removing shells, sea stars and other marine organisms from the seabed or the beach damages ecosystems and endangers other organisms that rely on them for survival
Feed or harass marine animals
In order to survive in a world full of human threats, they need minimum close contact with us
Anchor your boat in Posidonia
Seagrass meadows Each anchor scar takes several decades to recover
Spear gun fishing at night or while
Scuba diving is illegal Speargun fishing is illegal at night and while scuba diving, and any observed instances should be reported
Observe marine mammals
From a safe distance If you spot a marine mammal or sea turtle, keep a respectful distance to avoid causing disturbance
Report your sightings to our Eco-Navigation Platform
Join our citizen-science community and support the research and conservation work of Archipelagos
Keep seas and coasts clean
Don't leave litter at the beach and pick up trash you might find in the sea or the coast
Eat fish sustainably
Support artisanal fisheries and local fishermen and choose seasonal fish