On a stunning Croatian island, we’re changing the way people look at seagrass
Lošinj Island—a narrow strip of land in the northern Adriatic with rolling green hills, pristine air, and picturesque sunsets—has a long and proud history of environmental stewardship. Seacology is joining local people to help protect one of the island’s most important but overlooked ecosystems: seagrass meadows.
Acre-for-acre, seagrasses absorb far more carbon from the atmosphere than any other type of vegetation. These unsung heroes also improve water quality by filtering out impurities, provide habitat for marine life, and fight coastal erosion. In the Mediterranean basin, endemic Posidonia oceanica seagrass helps fisheries thrive and supports local economies and public health.
Unfortunately, seagrass meadows worldwide are vanishing quickly. In areas with heavy boat traffic, damage from anchors dragging across the seafloor is one of the biggest threats. Because seagrasses live below the surface and are generally out of sight, many boaters don’t realize the harm they are causing. Similarly, people often remove Posidonia banquettes—piles of seagrass leaves and shoots that accumulate on beaches—not realizing that they protect coastal communities by reducing damage from waves and storm surges.
Prioritizing Posidonia
Over the past few years, Seacology has focused more and more on seagrass meadows, a critical foundation of Mediterranean ecology. With two recent projects in Spain and our new nationwide initiative in Greece, we’ve been working to increase awareness of seagrass and mitigate the risks to its survival.
Seagrass meadow with fish
Boats in the harbor at Mali Lošinj
A green legacy
Each summer, people from all over the world flock to Lošinj to enjoy its natural beauty. Trails criss-crossing the island’s hills and cobblestone paths running through its charming seaside towns lead to stunning panoramic views. The island’s famously clean air has attracted those looking to improve their respiratory health for more than a century, earning it the nickname “the island of vitality.” Offshore, divers can explore comfortably warm and crystal-clear waters, and boaters can easily spot bottlenose dolphins, loggerhead turtles, and other marine creatures. The island’s healthy environment is largely the result of a strong local environmental movement, which has worked for more than 100 years to support biodiversity on Lošinj.
Awareness to action
Seacology is partnering with the Blue World Institute, a well-established research and conservation organization. Headquartered in a modest museum in the small harbor town of Veli Lošinj, the organization has had a large impact throughout the Adriatic for nearly three decades: protecting dolphins, educating the public about risks to local marine life, and more. Like Seacology, they have recently begun focusing more on Posidonia conservation.
The project will bring together stakeholders across the island to spread awareness of seagrass ecosystems. It will work with local boaters, teachers, and the media to ensure that those who come to enjoy the island’s natural bounty aren’t inadvertently damaging it.
Dolphin spotting off the coast of Lošinj
Blue World Institute museum and office
Blue World Institute has already kicked off the educational campaign and begun preparing interactive beach workshops for local schoolchildren for next spring. A young local illustrator has joined the project, designing the educational materials.
Our partners are also meeting with the Lošinj Tourist Board, which will support Posidonia Day, planned for mid-May 2026. They have been in touch with community members who are eager to help protect Posidonia meadows in Pržine Bay.
“We are grateful for the opportunity provided by this project,” said Marko Radulovic, a researcher and project leader at Blue World Institute. He believes that Lošinj “still has yet to fully embrace the wonders of its underwater plant life. Education is the key to changing that perception.”