Croatia

The SFS Center for the Conservation of Marine Megafauna is located on the northern most archipelago of the Croatian islands on the outskirts of the village of Veli Lošinj. Veli Lošinj has restaurants, artisan shops, ATMs, a market, and a busy summer tourist season. The Center is situated in an old garden forest with a view of the Kvarnerić archipelago islands and Northern Velebit Nature Park. Only 4 km away is Mali Lošinj, the largest Croatian island city, with multiple shops, banks, and a hospital. The accommodation is dorm-living with heating, four-person rooms with bathroom.

• Classroom with library
• Student lounge
• Open-air terrace
• Food provided onsite
• Running and cycling routes along the coast and through the old garden forest
• Basketball court and outdoor gym

The SFS Center for the Conservation of Marine Megafauna is a partnership between SFS and the Blue World Institute of Marine Research and Conservation (BWI), a non-governmental organization working on the Adriatic since 2000. Research is primarily boat-based and focuses on cetaceans and sea turtles both of which are important indicator species for the health of marine environments and the impacts of climate change. Faculty work with government partners, community members, NGOs, and other key stakeholders. Our faculty and students seek to analyze and develop strategies to understand the status of target species, identify threats, and support marine and coastal conservation initiatives in the Adriatic Sea.

Our research focuses primarily on the following themes:

• Cetacean and sea turtle ecology
• Biodiversity conservation
• Marine spatial planning and regional conservation
• Systematic conservation planning and decision making
• Cetaceans and sea turtles rescue procedures
• Sea turtle rehabilitation and husbandry practices.
• Veterinary investigations and diagnostics

Formally established in 2000, the BWI is an active part of the local community. We have built long-term, collaborative relationships in the community, developed our research plans based on the environmental issues that affect the surrounding ecosystems and regional sea.

In 2003, the BWI constructed the Lošinj marine education center in the harbor of Veli Lošinj which quickly became a focal point for education and community involvement. In 2013, we opened our turtle rescue center in Sunny Bay, Mali Lošinj, expanding our research to include veterinary sciences.

At the end of each semester program, we host a Community Research Night where students present their research findings to various members of the community, local NGOs, and the Croatian government.