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To learn about the harmony of the Mediterranean Sea

Workshop in Ischia Porto from October 9 to 11

The sea around Ischia is that part of the “Sea among the lands” which forms a natural and unseen border between the north and the south. Here the South Mediterranean Sea with its migrant guests (some of which have been defined “alien species” by marine biologists) meets the northern one.

Some species pass through, others cannot find the “heat” of the South that accompanies and enables their simple and meaningful existence.
Here you will encounter a multiple and “multiracial” coexistence, good example to the men of the earth. We read in the images of the sea, the phenomenon of “southernization” son of waters that are slowly reaching temperatures more searing than usual. New species, color, balance and new life mixed with the local residents (native) in a competition for life that creates resistance and adaptation of old and strong fighters or new winners: the boundary goes up to North.
In the sea of Ischia, Marine Protected Area since 2008, every day we observe this natural and eternal conflict.
The wall of Sant’Angelo, underwater cliff that sinks into the deep blue, is a showcase for: thin fingers of red and yellow gorgonians (Paramuricea clavata and Eunicella sprouts), the red blood petrified of the coral (Corallium rubrum) with the Golden halo of microscopic polyps, the theater of life of small guarracini (Chromis chromis) or the elegant dusky grouper (Epinephelus marginatus).
In the big cave of the Ants, submerged cavity with its pale sponges and iridescent Madreporaria in light chimneys, appear creative light and dark contrasts.
The Posidonia oceanica meadows, lush underwater gardens of the plant of Neptune (which despite its name lives almost exclusively in the Mediterranean Sea), are the nursery for many species of fish and condominium of grazing fishes such as salps (Sarpa salpa), bream (Diplodus spp.), pinterrè and sea bass (Coris julis and Sciarranus scriba).
Then there is the magic breath of Typhon in the bubbles of the Castle, the ancient geological phenomenon of the “vents”: this spectacular underwater scenery of gas emissions has attracted researchers from all over the world to study in the field, in a natural laboratory, acidification of the oceans. In the sea of Ischia, with its contradictions, there is disorderly harmony of nature...
Writing about this sea is complex; it is very difficult to describe the nuances of color and life that only direct observation can give beyond words. Feel the water on your skin, listen to the sound of the sea, touch the leaves of a marine plant and its flowers but also free the look through the airspace of the diving mask means to penetrate deeply into the sea sucking the marrow of its micro and macroscopic existences.
October is a special month, away from the noise of the summer but still full of mild climate and relaxing days. The Nemo association, which spreads the simple and profound culture of the sea of Ischia, tries to do it between ancient wisdom and modern theories; but also, and beyond words, involving all the ways of understanding and sharing of biological and ecological changes in the course of the Mediterranean Sea. It organizes diving and marine biology courses for divers through a seminar conducted by scuba instructors and experts in marine biology in a theoretical and sensory experience according the laws governing the existence of life forms in the sea.
“I am nothing to you but Captain Nemo; and you and your companions are nothing to me but the passengers of the Nautilus... [...] Let me tell you then, that you will not regret the time passed on board my vessel. You are going to visit the land of marvels”. So wrote Jules Verne in “20,000 Leagues under the Sea” and are the words that accompany ideally the appointment scheduled in Ischia Porto from October 9 to 11, “Ischia BioDiving Weekend”, the workshop of introduction to marine biology of the Mediterranean Sea. The workshop aims to provide participants with the knowledge to carry out recreational scuba diving in a more self-conscious about the “laws” that govern the Mediterranean and the organisms that inhabit it. Moreover, are more recreational divers who want to expand their knowledge in the field of ecology and marine biology in order to make them more aware and satisfying immersion completely. Consider that the fans of underwater photography for whom, in addition to knowledge on photographic techniques, it is essential a knowledge on characteristics and habits of the various subjects, so approaching more easily “in sight of goal”. The initiative is born from the technical expertise of the diving center Diving Ischia and skills of marine biology of Nemo association. The workshop is intended for divers, in possession of diving certification of “Open Water Diver” (minimum). Venue of the workshop will be the center of scuba diving Ischia Diving, in Via Iasolino 106. On request, we grant patents “Underwater Ecology PSS”.

(With the collaboration of Luca Tiberi)