"The Blue School" educational program

Tourist programs

Organisms of the north Adriatic are on display on the fort's ground floor. On the first floor, organisms from the south Adriatic, fresh and salt water tropical fish are exhibited, and in the moat, which surrounds the fort, there are fish from European rivers and lakes, and a shelter for red eared sliders. The organisms are placed in 60 pools with fresh or sea water, volumes from 200 to 40 000 litres, with the entire exhibition containing 80 fish species and 100 species of invertebrate organisms. As part of the conservation program, the Sea Turtle Rescue Centre is located in the aquarium. Also, since 2008, significant results have been achieved in sea horse breeding and rearing. With the help of professional guides, visitors are able to gain an insight into the distinctive features of organisms, their behaviour, relationships, as well as many other interesting facts about sea organisms and their habitats. If accompanied by a guide, it is also possible to touch a starfish, sea cucumber, crab, and uncover the fish which are hidden in the sandy bottom, as well as spot animals which are almost invisible due to their camouflage.

It is only a ten minute walk from the aquarium to the sea shore, where the boat is berthed. Habitats are analyzed on the beach (supralitoral and mediolitoral) with the possibility of collecting samples by snorkelling in the infralitoral. The collected material is identified, descriptions are given for the species that are the most typical for the certain habitat, and their adaptations to such extreme ecological conditions are observed and explained. The boat then sails to an area which is rich in biological diversity. Chemical and physical parameters (temperature, salinity, pH of the sea, sea clarity) are measured during the trip. The direction of wave movement, currents, and the wind are determined. Participants are introduced to the basics of fishing. Samples are collected by raising the fishing nets, or plankton nets, and/or by snorkelling. The organisms are then identified and analyzed in terms of their biology. Note: In case they don't have their own equipment, those who participate in the field program can borrow the masks and snorkels from the aquarium, which have been hygeinically maintained. The aquarium has enough masks and snorkels for 15 people.

Subjects:

1. Seagrass community
2. The anatomy and physiology of invertebrate organisms (section)
3. The anatomic and physiological comparison of cartilaginous and bony fish through dissection
4. Preparation and analysis of fish blood samples

Subjects:

1. Introduction to marine chemistry - basic chemical parameters with characteristic diagrams and their determination in sea water; primary production in the sea
2. Adaptation of marine organisms to the salt-water environment
3. Chemical defense in marine organisms

Subjects:

1. Introduction to marine biology
2. Invertebrate organisms: systematics and adaptations
3. Fish and their adaptations
4. Ecotoxicology
5. Dangerous and poisonous sea animals
6. Human influence on processes and ecological relationships in the

Adriatic Sea

1. Ticket prices include VAT.
2. Expert guidance is charged at the fee of 150,00 kn and is not included in the group price.
3. Without use of a guide, groups (15 persons) are eligible for a 20% discount.

Notes:

• Prices include VAT, and boarding on and off the boat.
• Expert guidance can be provided at an additional charge of 150,00 kn.
• All tourist programmes can be delivered in Croatian, English, German, or Italian.

DAY ONE Introduction to the marine ecological system (4-5h)

• touring the aquarium with expert guidance (a guided tour through the aquarium)
• biological workshop (the division of marine environments with regards to plankton, food chains, and biotic factors followed by practical work; analysing the biocenosis of seagrass and use of microscopes) physical and chemical workshops (introduction to the chemistry of the sea - basic chemical parameters with characteric diagrams and their determination in sea water; primary production in the sea)

DAY TWO Field work on the boat and seashore (4-5h)

• analysing the shore habitats (supralitoral and mediolitoral) with the possibility of collecting samples by snorkelling in the infralitoral
• getting to know the basics of scientific; collecting samples by raising fishing nets and trawling plankton nets

• biological workshop (anatomy and physiology of vertebrate and invertebrate marine organisms, preparing and analysing fish blood samples)
• physical and chemical workshop (micro- and macroconstituents, their determination and persistance in the sea; nitrogen, carbon, and phosporus cycles in the sea)

Notes:

1. You can request a detailed programme description via email (infos@aquarium.hr).
2. The boat's maximum capacity is 12 persons. The duration of field work will vary depending on the number of participants.
3. The order of program events will depend on the weather.