Primary school pupils in Ulcinj had the opportunity to learn about sustainable aquaculture, marine ecosystem protection, and circular economy principles through an interactive educational class organised within the AZA4ICE project.
The educational activity entitled “AZA4ICE – Journey into Circular Aquaculture” was held at Primary School “Maršal Tito” in Ulcinj for 6th grade pupils as part of the Biology curriculum. The class was hosted by Biology teacher Mr Arben Zadrima, while the lecture and interactive session were delivered by Dr Radoje Laušević, LiRRIE Expert within the AZA4ICE project.
The session was based on the educational comic book developed through the AZA4ICE initiative, using storytelling and visual learning to introduce pupils to the concepts of sustainable aquaculture and environmental responsibility. Through the story of the main character Filip, pupils explored how innovative aquaculture systems can contribute to food production while simultaneously protecting marine ecosystems.
During the class, pupils discussed:
- the importance of preserving marine biodiversity,
- the differences between linear and circular economy models,
- sustainable food production from the sea,
- and the role of science and local communities in environmental protection.
Special attention was dedicated to the Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) approach, where fish, shellfish, and algae are cultivated together in mutually beneficial systems that reduce waste and improve environmental sustainability.
The educational programme combined:
- guided reading of selected comic book sections,
- interactive discussions,
- short expert presentations,
- and group work activities focused on proposing solutions for marine protection and sustainable coastal development.
Pupils actively participated in discussions and demonstrated strong interest in topics related to climate change, marine pollution, and the future of sustainable food systems. Group presentations highlighted creativity and awareness of the importance of protecting the Adriatic Sea and coastal communities.
The activity contributed to strengthening environmental awareness among young generations and promoting innovative educational approaches for communicating sustainability topics in schools.
The AZA4ICE project continues to support knowledge transfer, community engagement, and awareness-raising activities aimed at encouraging responsible and sustainable use of marine resources across the Adriatic region.
The class programme was implemented using the educational methodology developed within the AZA4ICE project.
