Eko Kamp Kornati 2026 was successfully held for the fourth consecutive year with the aim of raising awareness about the importance of preserving the marine environment, promoting responsible behavior toward nature, and actively involving young people in the protection of the Adriatic Sea.

Based on the results of the contest, this year’s project participants were students from the Šibenik Medical School, who won a free trip to Kornati National Park and the opportunity to participate in the Eco Camp program.

During their stay on the Kornati Islands, the high school students participated in educational workshops. The first-aid workshop was led by members of the Zadar Red Cross, while the malacology workshop was led by Alen Petani, an amateur malacologist from Zadar, who introduced the students to the world of shellfish and the importance of preserving marine organisms.

As part of the educational program, students also actively participated in a beach cleanup at Levrnaka alongside other volunteers. While high school students taught and helped clean the beach, divers from four diving clubs cleaned the seabed.

Four diving clubs were tasked with saving the marine environment! They cleaned up the seabed and shoreline in Lojena Bay, including its western inlet, which is particularly prone to the accumulation of beach debris due to the influence of southerly winds. The cleanup continued on the southwestern side of the Mana islet, at the Levrnake marina—where tourist boats dock—and in Anica Bay.

During the cleanup, approximately 2 m³ of various types of waste was collected. Most of it consisted of plastic and glass packaging, car tires, old ropes, nylon waste of various kinds, as well as old fishing gear such as hooks, lines, and pieces of nets.

Particular attention was drawn to the removal of an illegal and unmarked fishing net found in the area of the Mana islet. The net had been set at depths ranging from 6 meters to 52 meters and was approximately 100 meters long, posing a serious threat to the marine ecosystem. The trapped fish were freed from it, and the seabed was relieved of a long-standing threat.

The Eko Kamp Kornati 2026 project has once again demonstrated how much collective effort, education, and volunteer work can contribute to the preservation of our sea.

Many thanks to all the participants whose dedication contributed to the success of the campaign: the Murter-Kornati Diving Club, KPA Drava from Varaždin, the Sv. Roko Bibinje Diving Club, the Puntar Diving Club from Split, the students of the Šibenik Medical School, the Zadar Red Cross, volunteers, and all other participants.

The project is co-financed by the Ministry of Regional Development and European Union Funds and the Fund for the Environment and Energy Efficiency.