The project
This is a pilot project that will be completed in summer 2013 on a traditional wooden sailboat "schooner" in the southwest of Turkey and the Greek islands. This sailboat is cruising from April to end of October at the intersection of the Aegean and Mediterranean seas, particularly in areas frequented by monk seals and "Loggerhead" sea turtles (Carreta-Carreta), which are endangered species.
The idea of this project is to raise awareness among the ship's passengers (more than 100 per year) about the marine and coastal environments they are evolving through.

[The wooden "gulet", 16,5 meters, localy built with a local crew]

In practice
Whenever possible, materials for teaching kits will be purchased from local and international associations for protection (bags, books, t-shirts, stuffed animals, games ...), recyclable materials will always be privileged and addresses of associations will be given to passengers wishing to make donations to associations for protection of the species (full list will be provided, they can choose the association).

Two types of educational kits will be distributed:
- A generic kit for adults and children, which will be distributed to all passengers in the summer of 2013, free
- A more complete theme kit, offering daily activities, which will be offered to passengers on a theme cruise on the sailboat (a theme cruise "Environmental discovery " is available for 2013)

A touch pad for broadcast marine documentaries, may be financed in addition (€ 300-400), if the core budget (€ 1,000) is reached.

How are composed kits? see the FAQ.

Educate passengers is to first educate captains
This project will help to raise awareness and inform the captain of the boat, a young captain and 100% local (he was born in the port village), and participated in the construction of his boat (200 boats were built according to the traditional wooden model in this Aegean village).

And then?

This project is a pilot project, aboard a sailboat. The southwest region of Turkey is a mecca for cruising on the traditional wooden boats, there are thousands.

The project therefore aims to:
- Being evaluated at the end of the 2013 season: evaluation of educational kits, their impact and assessment of interest for theme cruises "Environmental Discovery"
- Allow the captain of the boat, to equip step by step his sailboat with ecological solutions (solar panels are planned for summer 2013)
- Spread in 2014-2015 the project to other yachts of different standings, in order to reach different audiences
- To involve aboard, in 2014, researchers specialized in environment
- The installation of a larger project with partners in the same sector in Europe, to be offered to European funding

Si loins, Si proches...Espèces marines menacées!

Si loins, Si proches...Espèces marines menacées!