During its second year of activity (August 2005-August 2006), EcoOcean continued
to support marine activity in areas of research and education and also contributed
to environmental activity by allocating 85 days of activity on board the Mediterranean
Explorer.
We supported the following research activities:
- Dr. Ilana Berman-Franck from the Bar-Ilan University, together with Dr. Oded Beja
from the Technion, Phytoplankton Study, eight days.
- Dr. Rafi Kent and Aviad Shaynin from the Haifa University, Cetacean Study, 12 days.
- Prof. Anton Post from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, Phytoplankton Study, seven
days.
- Prof. Sven Beer and Hadas Yaron from the Tel-Aviv University, Phytoplankton Study,
ten days.
In addition to our research activities, we supported the following educational and
environmental activities:
- Bachelor's degree students from the Sea and Marine Sciences College at Michmoret
used the ship for 15 days.
- Students from the Tel-Aviv University used the ship for two days as part of a marine
biology course with Prof. Sven Beer and an additional day as part the program for
excelling students, hosted by Prof. Adina Briemann.
- The Heschel Center (The Israeli Center for Environmental Learning and Leadership)
used the ship for 9 days as part of educational courses for elementary and high
school students.
- Collaboration with the "Zalul" Environmental Association for the protection of marine
environment –monitoring the Akko Bay – 6 days.
- Initial collaboration with the Ministry of Environmental Protection – two days.
- Introduction tour for teachers from the "Globe" program.
- Tour with the Israeli ALS Association.
Unfortunately, the war in the north stopped our activity for a few months. The ship
anchored at Haifa for biennial maintenance shortly before the war broke out and
was stuck there for the duration of the tension in the north.