In June we ran our first tour dedicated to studying the Marine Biology of our bit of the Med.
The academic content was provided by renowned scientist and campaigner Paolo Guglielmi. Paolo was partly responsible for getting Olympos its National Park status which affords the area some protection from the high environmental demands of mass tourism. He continues to campaign for protected areas and is active in trying to defend the Kaş coastline. It is because the coastline here is relatively pristine that Paolo has chosen to spend several months of the year living in his home here. He worked with us on an itinerary that could instruct older school children in the techniques of marine biology and the politics behind it.
The tour started in Çıralı (the long beach near Olympos) and took in the ancient sea-side city of Aperlae (near the sunken city Of Kekova) before coming to Kaş.
On most days there were 2 practical sessions and one classroom session where Paolo would review the work done and the photographs taken. 
The projects undertaken on the 5 teaching days are listed below. After 5 tough days the young scientists were given a free day….
Project 1. “Loggerhead Turtles – Nesting” on Çıalı Beach
Project 2. “Grouper (or another flag species) Census”,
Project 3. “Shallow Pictures”. Underwater Photography
Project 4. “Invaders: Unforeseen consequences of industrial development -Distinguishing and identifying species at Aperlae”
Project 5. “The Healing Process”
Paolo was assisted by our tourleader Can (Güngör) who was in charge of all the logistics and made sure things ran smoothly. All the photos were taken by Paolo, Can and the students…
