On the island of Poros, we spent two days filled with educational programs where we discussed the use of new technologies in the effort to combat marine pollution. Over the course of two days, actions were carried out in the schools on the island, with active participation from 285 students across all three levels of education.
The MERMAID project (Marine littER MitigAtion In MeDiterranean) is implemented through the grant allocated to the “Associated Regions” of the SeaClear2.0 project, and includes multiple activities in three members of the Blue Municipalities Network: Poros, Alonissos, and Skyros islands. The kick off of the program was conducted in Poros island, in collaboration with the local authorities and the municipal port authority. On the first day, students attended our educational programs on the challenges of climate change and the use of new technologies to address these issues. We discussed with the students the environmental problems the island faces, the individual responsibility, the importance of active citizenship and the initiatives they could undertake to solve environmental problems. On the second day, the four schools of the island visited the port, where they attended informational workshops on the technological tools available to Aegean Rebreath. They watched underwater livestreaming and actively participated in using the equipment!
The message was clear about the role that technology can demonstrate in efforts to protect our seas. The students’ enthusiasm was immense, leaving us deeply satisfied on our journey back.
SeaClear2.0 is co-funded by the European Union through the Horizon Europe Programme and is among the cross-cutting projects supporting the objectives of the EU MISSION RESTORE OUR OCEAN AND WATERS, to restore, protect, and preserve the health of our ocean, seas, and waters by 2030. The SeaClear2.0 Associated Regions are projects supported by the SeaClear2.0 project. The 5 selected regions are strategic partners of SeaClear2.0, receiving a grant of up to €100,000 each to showcase the feasibility, replicability, and scale-up of SeaClear2.0’s pioneering solutions for identifying, collecting, and valorising marine litter. Through site-specific solutions and citizen engagement activities, the Associated Regions aim to prevent and minimize marine litter and foster an ocean literate society in their regions.
More information about the program is available here.
