Description of the partner organisation
Marine educational centre Pula (MEC) is a small non-government organisation established in 2005. Currently, it has 15 members which are heading the Sea Turtle Rescue Centre. The Centre is the only sea turtle recovery centre in Croatia and it is supported by the Ministry of culture, Republic of Croatia (5.000 € per year, since 2006). The current state of the infrastructure is suitable for a simultaneous recovery of 7 turtles (7 pools with a marine water flow system which is closed in the cold season and additionally heated). Three members (biologist, chemist and an aquarist) are in charge of the Centre's activity (cleaning of the equipment, turtle care, management, education etc.). Two members are veterinarians. Besides the rehabilitation of sea turtles, MEC Pula is involved in the conservation and protection of endangered species and non-institutional education of young people (preschool, school and student age) and citizens.
Description of the activities
For many years MEC Pula has been taking care of injured turtles, with little or no possibilities to improve the Centre. With NETCET we will increase the Centre capacity, technical support and set up a laboratory for better diagnosis. All improvements will be in order to obtain a fully equipped rescue centre for the acceptance, rehabilitation and release of marine turtles in the Eastern part of the Adriatic Sea, with the main aim of increasing the turtle recovery and consolidating the regional cooperation to the whole Adriatic. This will create the need for highly trained personnel who will be able to specialize within the project activities and continue through the established long lasting network. Through non-institutional education, permanent educational exhibits, release events, inauguration days and raising public awareness of stakeholders and others, MEC Pula will actively contribute to the conservation of sea turtles as a global goal of the project. All activities will be coordinated together with other beneficiaries to maintain a long lasting network.
Address
Morski obrazovni centar Pula,
Negrijeva 10, 52105
Pula, Croatia
Link to the institutional websites
http://www.aquarium.hr/hrv/morski-obrazovni-centar/
http://www.aquarium.hr/eng/marine-educational-center/
