Updated on May 7, 2017
First Marine Micro-organism Lab-Analysis
T
he morning began with a boat ride to Nerano. There, samples of micro-organisms and Posedonia were colected. After donning diving equipment, we gathered in the office to analyse what we had acquired.
We s
eparated the organic and inorganic content in the samples, in order to extract all the microscopic organisms (dead and alive…) for further analysis.These organisms included species such as shellfish, algae, sea urchins, prawns, and molluscs. The hard-to-spot orgamisms we had to remove using microscopes. We carefully removed all these from the samples from the petri dishes using a pipette and deposited them in an alcohol solution for later weighing.
Updated on May 7, 2017
Project MARE 2017
Arrival of the volunteers :
- Indra from Latvia
- Henrik from Luxembourg
- Olga & Filipe from Portugal
- Méli-Shèryam from Reunion Island
- Anis from Tunisia
Excursions
March
- 11th: the first excursion in the park, a visit to Tordigliano beach in the
southeastern most reaches of the protected area. - 16th: First orientation on the peninsula with the starting point in Massa. Two groups made their way through different paths towards Torca.
22nd: Mountaintop trekking from Arola to the top of Vico Albano with a view of all of Sorrento. It also included the collecting of rubbish in vicinity of the track.- 31st: Walk to Punta Campanella, with history, geology and science of the place included.
April
- 20th: The second orientation, to San Costanzo chapel in the vicinity of Termini.
- 21st: A second visit to Tordigliano, this time guided by Indra and Henrik with a focus on history, geography and plants.
Marine Adventures Activities
March
10th: First Turtle release of the season outside Ieranto Bay with Henrik and Indra.- 17th: First Kayaking tour of the park, Ma
rina della Lobra to Puolo beach complex. - 24th: First beach cleanin
g event at marina di Crappola.
April
- 10th: Snorkling in Ieranto bay, with the aim to view and identify species present within the bay.
- 20th: Help MAREA outdoors deposit kayaks in storage from marina di Cantone.
- 23rd-25th: Kayaking from della Lobra to Meta, followed by
a MAREA open day in conjunction with the spreading information about project MARE. - 26th: Sediment species analysis of marina della Lobra.
- 29th: Posedonia and Algae lectures, followed by snorkling and sample gathering, including analysis of the samples.
Intercultural
March 
- 20th: Start of Italian Lessons at Sant’Anna Institute in Sorrento.
April
- 5th: Presentation of the volunteers at the office with students from the nautical school and office staff. Cultural event with traditional food and drink.
14th: End of Italian Lessons and certification at the Sant’Anna Institute. Thank you very much to the professors who have contributed to our learning.- 28th: Pizza making night in Sant’Agnello with those involved in the project.
Updated on May 4, 2017
First Approach to Algae and Aquatic Plants
In this project all days are different, so this one was not an exception! The volunteers of project M.A.R.E. and a group of “study abroad” from the USA, hosted by Sant’Anna Institute of Sorrento, had their first field experience with aquatic organisms.
The day started with a theoretical introduction to Posidonia oceanica. This species is an aquatic plant which importance comes from its role in preventing erosion on the sea bottom and on beaches. Moreover, many small organisms find sanctuary by living on them. It is imperative to study and conserve Posidonia oceanica because it is only present in the Mediterranean Sea.
Since everybody were already looking forward to snorkelling, after the info-session, the curiosity for observing this plant in its natural environment had increased even more. So, it was time to get in!
In the water, it was possible to observe different organisms: sea orchids, ophiuroids, sea cucumber, some species of fish, some species of algae and, of course, Posidonia. Some samples of Posidonia and algae were collected.
After a quick break, we started to practice what we had learnt. We analysed Posidonia leaves and tried to identify the organisms present on them. We also tried to identify the algae collected. We realized that identification is not an easy task and subject.
The day finished with another theoretical session, this time about algae. They form a diverse group of organisms which contains unicellular organisms and also multicellular organisms up to 50 metres in Length. Furthermore, algae are the main source of oxygen production on Earth.
At the end of the day, the general feeling was that we had improved our knowledge and were also keen to further develop our skills in other marine biology fields.
Updated on November 18, 2017
First beach clean-up of the season in CRAPOLLA!
Friday 24th of March was beach cleaning day, we had a great adventure and an amazing day as expected from project MARE.
After the daily Italian class, we got together with Domenico, Francesca, Francesco, and his lovely dog Machio in Sant’Agata. We had lunch together and then we started the big adventure.
Our mission was to clean the beach of Crapolla and to learn about the history of the place, but also to enjoy ourselves. It is 1h on foot from Torca to the beach. To reach it, we go down more than 700 steps, than the beauty of the flowery site leads to forget us. The road was steep and hilly, the view was magnificient, you can enjoy all the greenery, different types of trees and animals (green lizards, tadpole, falcons..)
Crapolla is a natural fjord in the area of Torca, a frazione of Massa Lubrense in the province of Naples, Italy.Since roman times, the place has been used as a natural harbour and featured five freshwater cisterns which were supplied from the mountains.
Now it is more or less abandoned with only fishermen-owned buildings which are used for temporary storage. (The imprint of the antique Roman house still present).
Also, near the site there used to be a convent which is now completely abandonned and in ruins. Each 29th of june (St. Peter and Paul) the locals hold a march, to celebrate the holiday. It is also rumored that it used to be a site for an appollonian temple but no trace of that exists today. You can find St. Peter shrine (XIth century) half way.
Once arrived to the beach which was calm and pleasant. The waves collide with the pebbles which furnish her. Unfortunately there were trash all over this beautiful panorama, from plastic, metal, rubbish…
During the afternoon we took pleasure to make a good deed : embellish the beach and protect our planet of this waste which can stay until 1 000 years in the nature for the plastic bottles or even 5 000 years for the glass.
You can see the tables below what we have collected : recyclable waste and indifferentiable!
PLATIC – Bottles 164 – glasses 4 – top 2 – styrofoam 1500 pieces
METAL – 140 pieces
GLASS – Bottles 15
INDIFFERENTE – Pieces 1200 – tissues 60 – rope 12 – shoes 3
Total : 8 bags recyclables + 2 bags indifferents
Delighted to see all these piled bags and finally we have a clean beach ! We can appreciate it even more, and share it with everyone.
The wayback was magic with the wonderful view of the sunset. We are eager to return to the fascinating Crapolla. see our facebook gallery!!
BEFORE
…and AFTER
Updated on March 14, 2017
MARE17: our first impressions
Before reading the text, maybe this video will help you to understand better who we are!
INDRA, Latvia
When I finally arrived in Sorrento, on the one hand I felt very tired because of the long trip, but on the other – I was so excited about my arrival and glad to meet Domenico in person. I was greeted also by his wife Alba and the little, sweet daughter Silvia. I was the very first volunteer who arrived, but Henrik, the guy from Luxemburg, was on his way to Sorrento too and we had to wait for him for a couple of hours. Meanwhile we went to nearest supermarket to buy some food for both of us and I was a little bit confused about what to buy, because everything was written in Italian. After we met Henrik at the train station, we could finally go to Massa Lubrense to our new home. I couldn’t see much of the surroundings because it was dark and didn’t know what to expect, but when we entered the flat, I was suprised how large and beautiful it is. The house is old, but it has some kind of charm and we have a terrace with a fantastic view of the see!! Unfortunately I was greeted also by a strong northern winds and the flat was also still cold, that’s why I was freezing all the time (oh, what a suprise, ha =D), even taking in account, that the weather here was a complete opposite to Latvia. In the evening before my departure from my hometown it started to snow heavily.
HENRIK, Louxembourg
First dinner: Pizza!
Since we were all starving, the best culinary experience in Italy was soon to be delivered: Pizza! And damn it was good. Couldn’t make it a more Italian first evening in Italy if you tried!
Waking up: Lemons, lemons everywhere.
With great views from our hillside flat, the landscape is a gorgeous silver-green and yellow lemon-olive tree painting. No wonder people come here for their holidays…
Meeting the people: the office.
After walking the not so cumbersome 5 minutes to the head office of the park, we were introduced to the present staff. The office itself couldn’t be cooler: a tower! Italian mansion/castle-style. Only downside (or upside…) are the tons of stairs. But who doesn’t like to get even more fit?
Second day: Capri from the sea and sea turtles.
We were quickly introduced to the Mediterranean with a beautiful coastal boat ride to Punta Campanella, the utmost tip of the park. There I got to see my first sea turtle release, with a gorgeous backdrop with Capri in the centre of it. At this point we did not want to test the temperature of the water however, not without 3 layers of wetsuits… In the evening, the two of us were joined by two other volunteers from Portugal. Naturally the received the same warm greeting with wine, food, and fun music lasting well into the night. Needless to say, we were all tired after so many impressions in 48 hours.
OLGA and FILIPE, Portugal
This is it! This is the moment I’ve been waiting for the past weeks. I’m finally going to Italy!! The anxiety reached its peak.
It was Friday, march 10, 00h30, when I just left home to go to Porto to take the plane to Rome. I met Olga at the airport and we got on the plane together after a while. In the late afternoon we arrived at the new home in Massa Lubrense. I was really tired once I spent the past hours traveling, carrying two heavy bags from one place to another (we took 5 transports. Crazy.). Yes, I should have realized before that I won’t need so many things. Indra and Henrik were already there and after some time some friends of Domenico and Alba joined us. We all had dinner with great food, great wine and even live music. What a great reception!
Our first evening here was quite good! Of course we were tired, but everybody was nice with us! We had dinner in our new house with these new people and I felt that maybe I could find here a family for next months. Or were they just trying to impress us? I am joking, I believe they are good-heart people :)
After to have rest a little bit, it was the time to wake up for the reality and think” I am in Italy and I am going to live here next months so… maybe I should buy food”! But, instead of worrying about these details, we decided to go to the beach! It is so good to be surrounded by people who like to live! I felt comfortable but I know that I am that kind of person who needs time to lose shyness…
Me and Olga had the first introduction to the region, receiving knowledge about some vegetation and the place’s geography among other curiosities. We also had the first physical trainning session by playing football on this beach mostly made up of stones. However, the locals can easily run on it. It hurts just by watching them do it.
And Massa Lubrense? We had time to explore a little bit of the village and I found my favourite flowers! I felt so happy! This should mean something! And of course, a place near from sea and mountain is always an amazing place to live! This reminds me home… And the dogs? They are so cute here! I think I could add more and and and, but… Well, maybe I shouldn’t let my mother read this!…
I particullary liked the small streets made of stone and the proximity between the houses. I could feel a little bit of the place’s atmosphere, which is close of what I’m used in portugal and we kindly call “bairrismo”.
Generally I’m quite amazed about the chilled local lifestyle, the awesome views (which all include the seaJ)and, the last but not the least, the friendly people who welcomed me so warmly.
