France,Nice Snorkeling

During my time in Nice as part of a CIEE marine biology and sustainability program I went snorkeling in Antibes and went on a boat ride near Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. Our biology classes involved mostly hands-on field work doing things like snorkeling. This was such a special experience because the water in the mediterranean was so much clearer than any beaches I’ve been to in America. When we were snorkeling one of the most interesting things I observed was a species of seagrass native only to the mediterranean. This plant, known as posidonia, forms expansive underwater meadows that are home to hundreds of species of marine animals. In beaches with regulations on things like littering and boats loitering these fields were lush and a healthy green. On the other hand, In beaches with more polluted waters the posidonia would be a pale, almost white green. I’m so grateful I had a chance to see the difference in person because these are more then just plants. Posidonia is often referred to as the green lungs of the sea purely because of how much oxygen they produce. Not even mentioning how many ecosystems it supports and hosts. However, they are currently under threat from pollution and chemical runoffs that are bleaching them. Seeing how gorgeous they are naturally and how severely they’ve been affected I can clearly understand now how important it is to put in measures to protect them.