During its first year of activity (August 2004-August 2005), EcoOcean supported
marine research, by allowing the use of the "Mediterranean Explorer" research ship
for 95 days. Researchers from the Tel Aviv University, Bar-Ilan University, Jerusalem
and Haifa Universities conducted research in various topics such as phytoplanktons,
cetaceans, fish, corals, geochemistry and archeology. Such activities included a
sail to Eritrea, the Sea of Marmara and the Black Sea.
In addition, 35 days were allocated to academic educational activity, mostly courses
from the Sea and Marine Sciences College at Michmoret, but also students from the
Tel-Aviv University and the Hebrew University in Jerusalem.
We also allocated educational activities for schools (such as the "Nirim Youth Village")
and "Green" youth organizations such as the "Green Net" and the Heschel Center (The
Israeli Center for Environmental Learning and Leadership).