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Description
Human activities continue to threaten marine ecosystems’ health and integrity. In spite of the rich marine predator biodiversity in Portugal, most people are unaware of the importance of national waters in the conservation of threatened marine species at European level. The low level of ocean literacy regarding threats to marine top predators, results in a lack of interest and value attributed to the need for marine ecosystem conservation, acting as a barrier to individual behaviour changes, particularly in coastal communities. The ECOMARE, an infrastructure dedicated to research, innovation and conservation of the marine environment includes the Marine Animal Rehabilitation Center (CRAM-ECOMARE), which helps marine animals affected by Human activities. By contributing to Ocean Literacy, this project is in line with Biodiversity guidelines such as the Sectorial Plan for the Natura 2000 network, National Strategy for Nature and Biodiversity Conservation (ENCNB 2030), Habitats Directive and the Marine strategy Framework Directive. The project is also in line with the Aichi Strategic objectives within the CBD and with the UN 2030 Agenda for sustainable development, mainly with respect to Goal 14. The first stage of the project will be dedicated to building and integrating all 5 tools including presentations, enhanced reality and live streaming videos along with other activities and the second stage will be dedicated to the implementation of school sessions. This aims at changing attitudes towards the conservation of the marine environment mostly among students, who are more susceptible to behavioral change and often act as catalysts for change in the people around them. The project partners are the University of Iceland and 3 Agrupamentos de Escolas labeled as Blue Schools (Agrupamentos de Escolas da Gsfanha da Nazaré, da Gafanha da Encarnação e de Ílhavo).
Summary of project results
The impacts of Human activities on marine ecosystems are not easily perceived, representing a challenge that can be addressed through measures to increase Ocean Literacy, vital to assure blue growth while maintaining Ocean Biodiversity. The declining populations of some marine predators are a good example of unaccounted effects of Human activities in the marine environment. In particular, the harbour porpoise (a marine mammal unknown to most people) will soon disappear from Portuguese waters. This project was needed to improve the awareness relationship between people and the Ocean, and their perception of marine life threats, which must be transformed through using new technologies and direct experiences from the marine environment. In this project, several negative impacts of human activities, and how they can be reversed, were demonstrated through the work performed at the Marine Animal Rehabilitation Center (CRAM-ECOMARE), dedicated to rescuing marine mammals, seabirds and sea turtles. CRAM-ECOMARE is located in Ílhavo municipality as well as the partner blue schools (School groupings of Gafanha da Nazaré, of Gafanha da Encarnação and of Ílhavo).
The project prepared 5 tools (Audiovisual presentations, Enhanced reality video, Live streaming images, Hands-on activity and CRAM-ECOMARE virtual visit) to be implemented in school sessions or to be used during seminars at CRAMECOMARE. They were tailored to several school levels and allowed students to experience new sensations associated with the marine environment, thus increasing their perception of the need to consider the existence of living organisms in the Ocean.
By the end of the project, 60 different sessions (including opening and final events) reached 2150 students, which largely overcame the initial expectations. Over 90% of the students reported an increased concern for the Ocean and over 85% reported that they would like to continue having further activities related with Ocean conservation. In particular, the subjects related with rescued marine animals at CRAM-ECOMARE, marine litter and the harbour porpoise decline in Portuguese waters, were considered the most conscience changing among students. The teachers directly involved in project at each partner school grouping expressed extremely positive opinions about the project and their wish to continue the sessions in the next year, since students continued to question and discuss the school sessions’ experiences during regular classes. It became clear that both students and teachers are very curious and receptive to Ocean Literacy themes. More sessions are envisaged in the future thus strengthening the relationship between schools and the University of Aveiro and CESAM.