The marine biology group consists of people in love with the wondrous world beneath the surface of the sea. We organize meetings, workshops, guest lectures, and field research where students have the opportunity to apply their knowledge, exchange experiences, gain new and improve their existing skills.
Our goal is for our members to learn something new about their area of interest at each meeting, get the opportunity to ask questions and share their opinions with others, and at the same time introduce people to similar hobbies, deepen friendships, have fun and gain great memories. Students of all ages and from all departments of the university, divers, and non-divers are welcome – the only condition is that you are a sea lover!
Section activities
sPUŽvasti gurmani (2025.)
sPUŽvasti gurmani is a research project whose overall goal is to study opisthobranch sea slugs and sponges in the area of Krapanj Island. The research focuses on the distribution of sea slugs, their feeding preferences for specific sponge species, and predator–prey interactions between sponges and sea slugs in the Krapanj Island area. Through this project, the aim is to highlight the vulnerability of marine habitats and organisms and to raise awareness of human impacts on the environment, particularly on marine biodiversity.
The project is funded through a grant from the Student Centre in Zagreb for the financing of student projects.
Little school of marine biology (2025.)
The second edition of the Little school of marine biology was held in the spring of 2025, again in Punat, with the support of the MareMundi Institute. Under the guidance of Dr. Maximilian Wagner, eight more students had the opportunity to try their hand at practical work in the field of marine biology and to attend theoretical lectures that served as a foundation for the practical activities. This edition of the school was improved compared to the previous year: students enjoyed a full-day boat trip (the weather was on our side) and worked with high school students from the island of Krk, allowing them to practice knowledge transfer and reinforce their own understanding.
The project was carried out with financial support from the MareMundi Institute and Marina Punat.
Little School of Marine Biology (2024)
Little School of Marine Biology was a three-day educational program designed to educate students about marine fauna. The project took place at the MareMundi Institute in Punat, on the island of Krk. Led by Maximilian Wagner, PhD, the program was attended by eight students, including the organizers of the project.The main goal of the project was to educate students through lectures, species identification workshops and fieldwork. The project aimed to encourage participants and the public to research and protect the sea. Given that sessile and other marine organisms are significantly threatened by global warming, ocean pollution, overfishing and nautical tourism, it is crucial to learn how to protect and/or save them.
The project was carried out with financial support from the City of Krk, Punat Municipality and Marina Punat.
Monitoring of seagrass habitats and settlements (Posidonia oceanica) 2019 and 2020
As part of the BIUS fieldwork on Zlarin island in 2019 and Marine biology groups independent fieldwork on Kornati island, we participated in the project “Monitoring of seagrass posidonia habitats at Natura 2000 ecological network sites in Šibenik-Knin Country” with our mentors from Marine Explorers Society 20000 leagues. On Zlarin, in addition to the monitoring, we also participated in a beach cleanup initiative.
Mariculture industry – Cromaris field trip
We went to Zadar County to visit the company Cromaris, the leading European industry for the cultivation of white fish and shellfish, to get acquainted first hand with the mariculture industry. In the new hatchery in Nin, we learned about methods of breeding and encouraging spawning by regulating the photoperiod in sea bream, sea bass, and some lesser-known species. We visited the facility for the production of all stages necessary for the growth of young fish: from live food – algae, shrimp, and shrimp, to fish larvae and young fish, which when it grows enough are sent to larger cages in the sea. The next day we were ready to sail from Zadar to Ugljan by ferry to see up close the sea cages for breeding and an experimental platform for scientific research.
Ocean plastics pollution workshop
A lecture “How does plastic pollution affect the organisms living in the sea?” was held at the Lush store in Petrinjska 4, as part of Lush’s global campaign to raise awareness about plastic pollution in the sea. It was held by Korina UjÄŤić, a member of the group for marine biology. We talked about ways we can reduce the use of plastic in our everyday life. We were delighted with the children’s interest in this important topic, and we were especially pleased with their knowledge of processes and concepts that not even many adults know that much about!
Section e-mail:Â bius.biologijamora@gmail.com
Section leader:
- Daria Trinajstić (daria.trinajstic@gmail.com)
Section mentors:
- Hrvoje ÄŚiĹľmek, mr. biol., Marine Explorers Society “20.000 leagues” (hcizmek@gmail.com)
- Pavel Ankon, mr. oecol. et prot. nat., Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb (pavel.ankon@biol.pmf.hr)