SPL01: Blue Vis à Vis You – A Playful Response to Environmental and Social Challenges for Protecting Joyful Blue Life

The Vis Archipelago, one of the Last Paradise Oases in the Mediterranean (Source: https://www.geopark-vis.com/), encompasses the island of Vis and the surrounding group of islands and many attractive islets. It is considered the most beautiful Adriatic geological area, formed from the oldest and youngest rock formations, with parts built from unique volcanic rock. Due to its exceptional geological, natural, and cultural heritage, the Vis Archipelago Geopark has been part of the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network since 2019. The submarine area of the Vis Archipelago is exceptionally heterogeneous, with rich biodiversity. For instance, the heterogeneous coralligenous biocenosis has developed, with gorgonians, stony corals, bryozoans, lobsters, starfish, and numerous other organisms taking up the surface of approximately 1210 ha.  Due to increased and intensive human activities, particularly the expansion of the tourism industry over the last three decades, along with global climate change pressures, these genuine Mediterranean oases face significant environmental issues, specifically biodiversity endangerment and loss. Human activities and climate change generate the notable growth of invasive species, further endangering the archipelago's autochthonous marine biodiversity. This challenge focuses on contributing to protecting seas, oceans, and marine resources by bringing together diverse actors and communities connected to blue life via an interactive play (tool/App), the "Blue Vis-a-Vis You."  Archipelago Vis provides an excellent example of creating an interactive play (a prototype) that can be modified, adjusted, and applied in different marine environments worldwide.

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