Reading Blue
Reading the blue means presenting the sea not merely as a body of water, but as a living, narrating world that needs to be protected. Reading the Blue believes that protecting the sea begins with understanding it; it aims to transform today's knowledge into tomorrow's ecological legacy.
September 22, 2025 - Marmaris
September 23-24, 2025 Menteşe
September 25-26, 2025 Bodrum
October 1, 2025 Bodrum
October 19, 2025 Bodrum
The second phase of the Marine Literacy Project, conducted by the EcoHeritage Association in collaboration with Muğla Metropolitan Municipality and Bodrum Municipality, was successfully held at the Marmaris Armutalan Cultural Center. Expert speakers such as Dr. Mert Gökalp, Edhem Dirvana, and Dr. Ozan Veryeri participated in the event, sharing information with participants on topics such as the protection of marine ecosystems, the importance of seagrasses, the effects of invasive species, endangered marine life, and coastal issues. Interactive presentations, workshops, and a screening of the documentary "Project Posidonia: Seagrasses" also provided participants with a closer look at marine ecosystems.
The Menteşe phase of the Marine Literacy Project, conducted by Ekomiras, was held at the Menteşe Türkan Saylan Contemporary Life Center with the support of Bodrum and Muğla Metropolitan Municipalities. Expert speakers such as Dr. Mert Gökalp, Edhem Dirvana, and Dr. Ozan Veryeri participated in the project, sharing information with students on topics such as the protection of marine ecosystems, sustainable environmental awareness, the importance of seagrasses, the effects of invasive species, endangered marine life, and coastal issues. During the event, 267 students gained a deeper awareness of marine ecosystems through conferences, workshops, and documentary screenings.
The Marine Literacy Project was held on September 25-26 in Bodrum, hosted by TED Bodrum College.
As part of the project, presentations, short lectures, documentary screenings, and interactive workshops were organized for students aged 10-17 by expert marine biologists and scientists. Students received scientifically sound and understandable information about seagrasses and their importance for our coasts, invasive species and their impact on ecosystems, endangered species such as sharks and rays, coastal issues, and marine protected areas.
The training sessions, planned in morning and afternoon, were supported by visual learning through screenings of the Project Posidonia – Seagrasses documentary. All activities aimed to foster environmental awareness in children at an early age, to establish a strong connection with the sea, and to raise individuals who can "read" the sea and take responsibility for its conservation.
Through this project, "Reading the Blue" transformed the relationship with the sea into a lasting learning process by bringing together knowledge, experience, and awareness.
As part of the International Bodrum Fish Festival, EcoLegacy Mediterranean held a comprehensive event highlighting the impact of invasive species on marine ecosystems. During the event, experts discussed the damage caused by invasive fish to ecosystems and presented examples of how to sustainably utilize these species.
Invasive species such as pintail coral, lionfish, and soldierfish were prepared using local and creative recipes and served to participants. The presentations combined gastronomy and scientific awareness, emphasizing the importance of incorporating invasive species into our diets to protect the marine balance.
As part of the "Reading the Blue" Project, students from Milas Kısırlar Secondary School and TED Bodrum College, accompanied by diving instructors Ecrin Burgazlı and Mert Gökalp, conducted underwater observation studies on seagrasses and fish species during sea voyages on the STS Bodrum School Ship.
The students experienced firsthand the importance of seagrasses within the ecosystem through direct contact with the marine environment; they identified fish species and gained awareness about invasive species.
These hands-on trainings were implemented with the support of the Institut Français de Turquie, in collaboration with the Bodrum METU Alumni Association and Ekomiras Akdeniz, and with the logistical support of the Muğla Metropolitan Municipality. Training and field studies aimed at strengthening marine literacy continue within the scope of the project.
Reading Blue
5 DAYS
20 HOURS
1980 STUDENTS