Lošinj marine education centre


 
 

Because of need for constant work on education and protection of the bottlenose dolphins as animals that represent the entire marine environment and need for constant education of visitors and inhabitants of Lošinj, we made a proposal for the establishment of the marine protected area Lošinj dolphin reserve and in cooperation with the city of Mali Lošinj and with financial support from MOL - Hungarian oil company, we established education and interpretation centre or "Lošinj marine education centre" as a place of constant work on raising of the public awareness and promotion of the protection of the environment and bottlenose dolphins. As a place where such centre could be created, the City offered a space on the Riva (the centre) in Veli Lošinj. The space has about 160 m2 on two floors. Since the space is totally devastated it needs complete reconstruction and adaptation. The City of Mali Lošinj secured the funds for the reconstruction of the facia, static and construction of the object, creation of new walls (dividing floors) and change of doors and windows. MOL, Hungarian oil company secured the funds necessary for the interior decoration, equipping and development of the activities. Here we are presenting the look and some activities that are happening in the centre.

Because the activities of reconstruction proceeded very swiftly, Lošinj Marine Education Centre (LMEC) has been opened on 2. August 2003.during celebration of the 11. Dolphin day! The Centre has been opened by Ms. Nena Nosalj-Peršić, "mother" of Dolphin Day and the first organiser of educational activities of Adriatic Dolphin Project, the mayor of Mali Lošinj Mr. Dragan Balija and director for strategic investments of MOL, Mr. Zoltan Aldot.

The look and activities of the Centre
As space is divided on two floors, activities in the centre are planned twofold. The ground floor isthe place where complex interactions that rule the sea are explained and interpreted through a permanent exhibition of photographs, three-dimensional exhibits, diaramas, interactive models and multimedia and interactive presenatations prepared as in the most interesting such places in the world. The centre content wil be conitinuously updated with different presentations and activities throug which you will learn how dolphins dive, how they communicate and orientate, what is endangering them etc and also numerous other interesting informations on life of other marine animal and entire marine ecosystem. In the centre we are planning to have many contents that will through activities teach you the answers on questions like how dolphins dive, how do they communicate and orientate, what is threatening them etc. As there is a small square in front of the place , we hope it will become part of the centre too as we plan to use it as small stage on the open where we will have lectures, talks, projections, playground etc during the summer. It is already used as a terrific place for setting up a stage for the Dolphin day celebration. Also, part of the ground floor will be multi functional - it is thought to have the exhibits movable so part can be transformed into small projection or lecture hall. On the first floor are the offices of the Blue World - Adriatic Dolphin Project with small library available to everyone with need for professional literature and conference room where meeting, workshops about marine ecosystem for different interest groups (like divers, fishermen, biologists, students…), lectures, talks, etc are being held. Here is also a mini-lab, toilets and mini-kitchen.

Education programm
Since 2004. Blue World offers to all interested kindergardens, schools and other interested groups different organized programms. This programs include a number of educational activities - lectures, games, experiments, boat trips etc. and they differ in length (from half to multy day) and in content that is adjusted to different age and interest groups. Educational program has been also sent to Croatian department for education for official approval. Therefore if you are interested in life in the sea and would like to visit us and participate in our programms and workshops, contact us and reserve your term. Presently we offer a number of different workshops and lectures and you can get more detailed information if you contact us. Also, should you wish only a shorter lecture on dolphins, work and achievement of ADP, marine reserve etc - give us a call!

 
Centre location
 

Conference room
 

Lecture for visitors
 

Kike Curavić, world ice-diving champion with disabled kids form rehabilitation Centre Vinko Bek visiting the LMEC
 
President of the Republic of Croatia, Mr. Stjepan Mesić visiting the education centre
 
Childrens corner
 

Group of centre visitors on the organized boat trip
 

 

 
Opening of the centre in 2003.


More photographs from the opening of LMEC and 11th Dolphin day you can find here

Since Blue World - Adriatic Dolphin Project promotes the concept of the sustainable development and marine conservation for over 15 years this kind of activities will immensely help raising public awareness but also advance the environment conservation in the Northern Adriatic and our work. All-out devastation of the submarine life helped with development of the mass tourism threaten with destruction to this biologically and ecologically very interesting area. Therefore the creation of the marine protected area (that includes important underwater habitats, dolphin feeding places and also very interesting diving locations like Čutin veli and mali) and constant education that will go on in the education and interpretation centre strengthened with results of the professional research is what will contribute to the real protection of this area and the only way of protection of the marine environment

Blue World is a non profit organisation. Therefore for the successful finishing of such important and unique project, we need Your help. We invite you to contact us if you have the opportunity of wish to join our sponsors. Also, we invite you to make a donation to our account or to adopt one of our dolphins.

If you are interested in group visits or need additional information contact us.

The office hours of Lošinj Marine Education Centre during winter time is every working day from 10.00 untill 14.00. In case of need and after previous announcement the Centre can be opened at other times.

Lošinj Marine Education Centre
Kaštel 24, 51551 Veli Lošinj
Tel +385 51 604666 Fax +385 51 606668
e-mail: info@plavi-svijet.org

We thank You for your interes and support. We will be happy to host You in Lošinj Marine Education Centre !!!

 

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