EcoOcean

EcoOcean (Hebrew: אקואושן) is an Israeli non-profit association founded in 2001 by the Weil family and a group of Israeli scientists. Its mission is to advance the protection of Israel's marine and coastal environment through scientific research, environmental education, and broad community activity. The organization operates at the forefront of marine conservation in Israel and the Mediterranean region, combining deep scientific expertise with public engagement. EcoOcean's work spans three main pillars: research, education, and community action. On the research side, the association operates the R/V Mediterranean Explorer, a research vessel equipped with advanced marine research equipment and a sophisticated remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV) that enables documentation and sampling from the depths. The vessel has participated in numerous research projects in Israel and abroad, from Eritrea in the southern Red Sea to the Black Sea in the north, in collaboration with researchers worldwide. EcoOcean also participates in international research projects such as TASCMAR and ODYSSEA under the European Union's Horizon 2020 program. In education, EcoOcean has been active for over a decade in marine environmental education in Israel. Its education unit operates the 'Megallim' center, a dedicated center for marine and environmental science education located at Kibbutz Sdot Yam. The center offers a wide range of educational activities on marine biology and ecology, coastal and marine conservation, and marine research. EcoOcean also runs school programs across the country and is the exclusive Israeli representative of the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), operating the Blue Flag, Young Reporters for the Environment, and Green Key programs in Israel. The association also leads community and activist initiatives, including the 'Sea Trail' (Shvil HaYam), a continuous ~240 km walking route along the Mediterranean coast from Rosh HaNikar to Zikim, which serves as a unique environmental, social, educational, and tourism project. EcoOcean's vision for the coming decade is to shape an Israel where humans and the marine environment thrive together, promoting equal opportunities in marine research access for young people from all segments of Israeli society and building a community that can influence decision-makers based on facts. The organization is led by CEO Arik Rosenblum, who has served since 2015, and a professional team including Tamar Tennenbaum, director of the education department. EcoOcean continues to operate as a non-profit association, relying on donations, grants, and partnerships to fund its research, education, and conservation activities.

EcoOcean was established in 2001 by the Weil family and a group of Israeli scientists. The organization was founded with the goal of promoting the preservation of the marine and coastal environment through research, education, and extensive community activity. From its early years, EcoOcean positioned itself as a science-based organization, recognizing that scientific knowledge is a critical pillar in advancing environmental issues on the public agenda and influencing decision-makers to change policies for the protection of Israel's marine and coastal environment. Over the years, EcoOcean has developed three main areas of activity: research, education, and community action. In research, the association operates the R/V Mediterranean Explorer, a research vessel equipped with advanced marine research equipment and a sophisticated ROV (remotely operated underwater vehicle) that allows documentation and sampling from the depths. The vessel has taken part in numerous research projects in Israel and abroad, from Eritrea in the southern Red Sea to the Black Sea in the north, in collaboration with researchers from around the world. EcoOcean works to enable researchers with limited resources to access advanced research tools; any academic researcher or scientific body can apply to use the vessel, with applications reviewed by a scientific committee that prioritizes research aligned with the organization's environmental goals. The association also participates in international research projects, including TASCMAR and ODYSSEA under the European Union's Horizon 2020 program. In education, EcoOcean has been active for over a decade in marine environmental education in Israel. The organization's education unit operates the 'Megallim' center, a dedicated center for marine and environmental science education located at Kibbutz Sdot Yam. The center offers a wide range of educational activities dealing with marine biology and ecology, coastal and marine conservation, and marine research. The center is equipped with binoculars, a water table, audiovisual equipment, and other specialized equipment for teaching marine and coastal environmental sciences. The instruction team consists of academics and students in the fields of marine biology and environment. In addition to the Megallim center, EcoOcean operates educational programs including series of meetings on the marine environment in schools across the country. EcoOcean is the exclusive Israeli representative of the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), a non-governmental, non-profit organization promoting sustainable development through environmental education. FEE is an umbrella organization for environmental NGOs from 73 countries, active mainly through five educational-environmental programs: Blue Flag, Eco-Schools, Young Reporters for the Environment, Learning about Forests, and Green Key. EcoOcean operates the Blue Flag, Young Reporters for the Environment, and Green Key programs in Israel. The Blue Flag program is a voluntary environmental program for beaches and marinas, awarding an internationally recognized quality mark to beaches and marinas that meet international criteria on education and information, water quality, safety and services, and environmental management. In the 2017 bathing season, blue flags were awarded to 48 beaches in Eilat, Ashkelon, Ashdod, Rishon LeZion, Tel Aviv, Herzliya, Netanya, Haifa, Kiryat Yam, and the Sea of Galilee, as well as to Herzliya Marina and Tel Aviv Marina. The Young Reporters for the Environment program is an international network of teenagers engaged in environmental journalism and communication, aimed at encouraging young reporters aged 11 to 18 to investigate environmental issues, present or propose solutions, and report on them through journalistic means. Green Key is the world's largest environmental quality mark for hotels and the tourism industry, representing a commitment to strict environmental regulations set by FEE. EcoOcean also leads community and activist initiatives. The 'Sea Trail' (Shvil HaYam) is a continuous walking route approximately 240 km long along the Mediterranean coast, from Rosh HaNikar to Zikim, constituting a unique environmental, social, educational, and tourism project. The trail offers travelers a rich experience connecting nature, history, and culture, and allows direct encounter with the environmental and biological diversity of Israel's coasts. As part of promoting these goals, the 'Sea Trail' study program offers structured lesson plans for classroom learning, along with suggestions for creative field projects. Through tangible learning experiences, students can become deeply acquainted with the field and develop a deeper understanding of the relationship between humans and the environment. In recent years, EcoOcean has continued to expand its activities, including joining civil assistance efforts on the home front during difficult times. The organization's vision for the coming decade is to shape an Israel where humans and the marine environment thrive together. Through support for deepening scientific knowledge, EcoOcean strives to rehabilitate the marine environment in Israel and the Mediterranean region. Through education, it promotes an Israel with equal opportunities in access to marine research for the younger generation from all segments of Israeli society. Through leading activists in various monitoring, research, and protection projects, it builds a community that deeply understands the marine and coastal environment and knows how to influence decision-makers in Israel based on facts. The organization is led by CEO Arik Rosenblum, who has served since 2015, and a professional team including Tamar Tennenbaum, director of the education department.

• 2017

  Blue flags awarded to 48 beaches in Israel and two marinas during the 2017 bathing season.

• 2015

  Arik Rosenblum appointed CEO of EcoOcean.

• 2001

  EcoOcean founded by the Weil family and a group of Israeli scientists.

Israel's leading non-profit organization for marine and coastal environmental protection, combining scientific research, education, and community activism.

• R/V Mediterranean Explorer

  Research vessel equipped with advanced marine research equipment and a sophisticated ROV for deep-sea documentation and sampling.

• Megallim Center

  Dedicated center for marine and environmental science education located at Kibbutz Sdot Yam.

• Blue Flag

  International quality mark for beaches and marinas meeting criteria on education, water quality, safety, and environmental management.

• Young Reporters for the Environment

  International program for teenagers aged 11-18 to investigate and report on environmental issues.

• Green Key

  Environmental quality mark for hotels and the tourism industry.

• Sea Trail (Shvil HaYam)

  A continuous ~240 km walking route along the Mediterranean coast from Rosh HaNikar to Zikim.

1. 1אקואושן | עמוד הביתecoocean.org
2. 2אודות | ecooceanecoocean.org
3. 3EcoOceanwikidata.org
4. 4אקואושןhe.wikipedia.org