On the occasion of World Oceans Day, celebrated on June 8, Ivan Mažuranić Elementary School from Novi Vinodolski launched an initiative aimed at raising awareness about the need to preserve the sea.

All the classes of the Elementary School participated in the creation of EM balls made from effective microorganisms. These microorganisms are efficient, beneficial, and non-pathogenic, produced naturally, meaning they are not chemically synthesized nor genetically engineered. They come in liquid form, have a wide range of applications, no negative effects, and are beneficial for plants, animals, and humans. All students from grades 1 to 8, along with their teachers, as well as the Special Education class, took part in making the EM balls, with the material for their production co-financed by the Novi Vinodolski Tourist Board.

The first-grade students took a boat trip on the “Bartelo Mali” to the islet of San Marino, where they released the balls into the sea. Other students from lower grades threw the balls into the sea from the shore at several locations along Dr. Franjo Tuđman’s coastline. Students from grades 6 to 8 threw the balls along the promenade of Petra Krešimira IV. street, covering several locations in total.

“I support initiatives like this, which are important not only for tourism, our main industry, but for all of us. By protecting our sea and environment, we contribute to a better quality of life for everyone. That’s why I believe actions like these are commendable, and I’m happy that the elementary school initiated this project, which we wholeheartedly embraced. It was especially heartwarming to see the children learn something new and eagerly participate in throwing the EM balls that help clean the sea,” said Tena Peričić, director of the Novi Vinodolski Tourist Board, who also took part in releasing the balls with the first graders from the boat.

“We procured the material for making the EM balls from their manufacturer, Mr. Nedeljko Jovanović, whose balls have been cleaning the seabed around Pag, Makarska, Rab, Opatija Riviera, and this year, the Novi Vinodolski area as well. The idea for launching this project came from cooperation with biology teacher Ivana Rimac, employed at Ivan Rabljanin Elementary School. With this action, our students joined their friends from Rab, who have been making and releasing these ‘magic balls’ into the sea as part of their school project for six years,” said project leader Andrea Bačić Pavat.

In collaboration with the Public Health Institute of the Primorje-Gorski Kotar County and the DIVE SIDE Diving Club, several locations in the Novi Vinodolski aquatorium – specifically Dr. Franjo Tuđman’s and Petra Krešimira IV. coastlines – were chosen for releasing the EM balls. Danijel Sokolić from the DIVE SIDE Diving Club will monitor their effects over the coming period.

For students in grades 2 to 8, a lecture was held by renowned marine researcher and ecologist Velimir Vrzić, while a recycled decorations fair was organized in the town center. All the collected funds will be used to produce more EM balls for the next school year.

The Novi and DIVE SIDE Diving Clubs conducted an underwater cleanup campaign in the area of the Novi Vinodolski port, with assistance from neighbors from the Jadranovo Diving Club, municipal staff, and cultural institutions. The cleanup yielded truck tires, car tires, plastic bottles, chairs, batteries, shoes, and even a container found at the bottom of the port.

“I am disappointed by the amount of waste in our sea; it is devastating for humanity. However, I am glad that our school launched this initiative related to this eco-day, and that our youngest children are already learning about the need to preserve the marine environment and the sea as an essential part of our life on this planet. It is important that we organize and participate in as many of these actions as possible to raise awareness among one another,” reflected Mayor Tomislav Cvitković on the eco-day in Novi Vinodolski.

In addition to the Tourist Board, the City of Novi Vinodolski, and cultural institutions, this commendable initiative was also supported by the Public Utility Company Ivanj d.o.o.