Every summer, Slovenian Istria welcomes numerous visitors drawn by the sea and coastal experiences. Organisations working to protect the marine environment are therefore continuing the Marine Animals Are Not Toys awareness campaign, encouraging visitors and residents to behave responsibly towards the marine environment and treat its inhabitants with respect. The campaign is being organised for the second consecutive year by the YouSea Institute, Radio Capris and the Povezani za morje consortium. BAUHAUS Slovenia is also a campaign partner.
The campaign’s main message is simple: marine animals and plants are not toys. The organisers emphasise that marine animals and plants belong in their natural environment. Visitors are therefore advised not to remove them from the sea, touch them unnecessarily or take them home. Instead, they are encouraged to preserve their memories of the sea through photographs, experiences and new knowledge.
Respect begins with knowledge
The campaign also raises awareness of the rich biodiversity of the Slovenian sea. It provides a habitat for numerous species, including sea slugs, crabs, octopuses, cuttlefish, seahorses, shellfish, sea cucumbers, jellyfish and stony corals. The organisers point out that many marine organisms are highly sensitive to human interference and disturbance.
One of the most frequent targets of children’s play is the sea cucumber. Although many people believe it is a plant, it is actually an animal and one of the most important “cleaners” of the seabed. While feeding, it filters the sediment and helps keep the seabed healthy. When removed from the water or squeezed, it defends itself by expelling water. When handled roughly, some species of sea cucumber release sticky threads as a defence mechanism. These can restrict a predator’s movement or discourage it from attacking. When severely threatened, sea cucumbers can even expel a large part of their internal organs. These provide easily accessible prey and distract the predator long enough for the sea cucumber to escape and survive. Although it can eventually regenerate the lost organs, this response causes considerable physiological stress and requires a great deal of energy. Sea cucumbers do not “know” that we only want to play with them; they perceive us as a serious threat.
Many other inhabitants of the Slovenian sea are also highly sensitive to human interference. Even being touched causes considerable stress to seahorses. Starfish, sea urchins, jellyfish and many shellfish can easily be harmed. They may even die outside the water or in a bucket containing water that is too warm or has insufficient oxygen. Octopuses and cuttlefish defend themselves from danger by releasing ink and fleeing, which causes unnecessary stress and loss of energy. The stony coral found in the Slovenian sea is a rare, protected and endangered species. Because it grows very slowly, even the slightest touch can cause permanent damage.
Empty shells and snail shells also play an important role, even though this may not be immediately apparent. Despite looking abandoned, they are often home to hermit crabs and other organisms. Over time, they break down into tiny particles and become an important part of marine sediment. Removing them from the beach may deprive many marine animals of shelter.
Take only memories with you
The campaign organisers emphasise that the marine world can be experienced responsibly through observation, learning and respect for the natural environment. Visitors are encouraged to take home only memories and photographs while leaving marine organisms in their natural habitats.
Workshops and citizen science
The campaign is not limited to radio broadcasts. In July and August, the YouSea Institute will join Radio Capris’s mobile studio, which will visit beaches in all four municipalities of Slovenian Istria. The events will feature free workshops, creative activities for children and conversations with conservationists, biologists and other experts.
This year’s campaign places particular emphasis on citizen science for young people and the Povezani za morje citizen science digital platform (www.zamorje.si), through which anyone can contribute to a better understanding of the Slovenian sea. Workshop participants will learn how observing marine organisms and other phenomena and recording their observations can help collect valuable data and contribute to marine research and conservation.
Alongside the beach events, the campaign will be featured throughout the summer on Radio Capris and the YouSea Institute’s online channels, spreading the message that respecting the marine world is everyone’s responsibility.
