Francesca Alvisi, a marine geologist and researcher at CNR-ISMAR, has recently returned from her second expedition aboard the *Mediterranea*, a sailboat owned by the association of the same name, with which CNR-ISMAR signed a collaboration agreement in 2025.
This year’s two-week science expedition (July 9–23) began around the island of Chios and then continued on to Samos (https://progettomediterranea.com/la-rotta/la-rotta-2024-2026/), two large Greek islands in the northeastern Aegean Sea, near the coast of Turkey.
During her time on board, Francesca introduced the history, key figures, principles, and concepts of Ocean Literacy—an international initiative that, since 2012, has sought to bring knowledge of marine environments to the general public and society in Europe (https://maritime-forum.ec.europa.eu/ theme/ocean-literacy-and-blue-skills/ocean-literacy_en) and around the world. The timing, in fact, is particularly relevant: perhaps not everyone knows that we are in the midst of the Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021–2030: https://www.unesco.org/en/decades/ocean-decade? lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_feed%3Bh/oDjBPKQQeQlxLuBGEj0A%3D%3D&page=7), a global initiative promoted by the United Nations and coordinated by UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC). The program aims to stimulate marine scientific research, reverse ocean degradation, and lay new foundations for global sustainability.
It was fascinating to see how the people on board gradually became interested in and passionate about learning about environmental issues—particularly those related to the ocean, but also those affecting everyday life—with someone on hand to answer any question, even the most uncomfortable or bizarre ones.
The objectives of the agreement with the Association are, in fact, to design and develop initiatives for science outreach and citizen science, as well as to collect information and data to support environmental research and monitoring programs through a participatory and collaborative approach.
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Video su YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wS0oMmXeNiE
