Via UNESCO’s Ocean Literacy programme, scientists and teachers are helping everyone, whatever their age, to understand how the ocean influences them and they influence it. Educated and informed citizens are better placed to support faster progress towards a sustainable future for our oceans.

The Institute’s researchers have many awareness-raising activities. In summer they give lectures on Les Embiez island (Mercredis de la mer and Rencontres avec les chercheurs) where people can learn about their research and protecting the marine environment. They also speak year-round at external events like trade shows, festivals and fora. They organise and support participatory science initiatives like the FFESSM’s annual census of “species that count” (grouper, brown meagre…) in the Calanques National Park, or the Déclics de Saint-Cyr photography, competition for marine biology enthusiasts.

The Institute also produces awareness-raising materials, including:

› exhibitions on Les Embiez, like the current one on the quayside (Plongée au cœur de la Méditerranée : Océan miniature – Océan modèle ;

› videos on its research activities or environmental protection topics;

› an annual Newsletter on a major environmental issue (oceans and climate, bio-inspiration, hydro-diplomacy, ocean governance, blue carbon…), and which also reports on events at the Institute: Newsletter ;

› publications about the sea (Fragile Méditerranée), which it co-produces with publishing houses.