The YouSea Institute is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the beauty and diversity of marine ecosystems. Our mission is to protect marine biodiversity through concrete initiatives such as the Sea Oasis Piran and Blue Schools, while raising public awareness about the importance of safeguarding the marine environment and promoting actions that support this cause.

We believe that healthy seas and oceans are vital for a thriving planet, benefiting all life forms. Therefore, protecting these ecosystems is a shared responsibility for current and future generations. We focus on implementing sustainable practices in mariculture and fishing, encouraging environmentally friendly behaviors to ensure the long-term health of our seas and oceans. Our goal is to preserve habitats for all species that inhabit these waters while enabling people to live and work in cleaner, healthier environments.

The vision for an artificial underwater reef was first conceived in 1990 by Ugo Fonda, a marine biologist, diver, and passionate advocate for the sea. A true visionary, he inspired many with his bold ideas and tireless enthusiasm. However, the project closest to his heart — creating an underwater reef that would serve as a sanctuary for disappearing species of fish, crabs, mollusks, and other marine organisms, remained unfulfilled.

Today, the urgency to realize this carefully planned project is greater than ever, as marine pollution, exploitation, unsustainable tourism, and overfishing continue to take a heavy toll on our oceans. The increasingly degraded seabed of Piran Bay, impacted by human activity and sedimentation, no longer provides suitable habitats for many marine creatures. With the support of our main sponsor and partner, BAUHAUS, the YouSea Institute is now bringing Ugo Fonda’s vision to life in a renewed and enhanced form, with even greater potential for impact.