As part of its mission, Tethys also develops, promotes, and implements public awareness and education initiatives focused on the conservation of the marine environment and its biodiversity, with particular attention to large Mediterranean vertebrates.
These initiatives are tailored to different target groups, ranging from the general public to stakeholders and to school and university students.
Tethys is collaborating with several natural history museums (Milano, Venezia, Imperia).
Tethys people authored hundreds of popular science articles in newspapers and magazines, and regularly give talks and lectures. Several popular articles/TV stories about Tethys are published/broadcast every year.
Citizen Science
Tethys’ two long-term research projects—the Cetacean Sanctuary Research (CSR) and the Ionian Dolphin Project (IDP)—are grounded in the active involvement of non-specialists in marine data collection, and rank among the longest-running citizen science programmes in the world. Since 1987, over 7,000 research volunteers from around the globe have taken part directly in fieldwork —including Italy, the UK, Germany, France, Austria, Switzerland, Norway, Sweden, Belgium, the Netherlands, Greece, Monaco, Ukraine, Russia, Israel, Australia, the USA, Canada, Mexico, Hong Kong, China, and Vietnam.
Social Media
Ongoing public education is carried out consistently across several social media platforms, including Facebook (with a main Institute’s page and a dedicated page for the IDP project), Instagram (with separate accounts for CSR and IDP), LinkedIn, and YouTube.
Web Sites
Tethys runs several websites specifically aimed at the public:
- tethys.org, and expeditions.tethys.org primarily intended for prospective participants in the Institute’s research projects;
- cetaceifaiattenzione.it and ioniandolphinproject.org , targeting the general public and especially recreational boaters in the Pelagos Sanctuary and the Ionian Sea (Greece), respectively. Both of the latter sites offer:
- whale and dolphin watching guidelines
- species identification tools
- the option to report sightings
Run for the Whales
Tethys launched an annual charity event in Sanremo, Run for the Whale, held every June along the Riviera dei Fiori coastal cycle-pedestrian path, since 2016. The event includes a half marathon, a 10 km run, and a family-friendly walk, all organized to support marine mammal research and conservation. Proceeds help fund Tethys’ ongoing efforts to study and protect whales and dolphins in the Pelagos Sanctuary.
Scientific dissemination
Additional tools for communication and scientific outreach include:
- regular presence in newspapers, magazines, radio and television programs
- the publication of popular science articles and books by Institute members
- production and dissemination of videos and photographic material
- creation of artistic works aimed at communicating scientific data (such as paintings, installations and comics)
- educational materials designed especially for schools
- webinars dedicated to stakeholders
- public presentations for local communities, schools, and NGOs
- training courses to develop skills in cetacean research and conservation
