The international, environmental NGO, MEDASSET (Mediterranean Association to Save the Sea Turtles), working to protect sea turtles and their marine and coastal habitats
in the Mediterranean, launched its new, online game “TEAM TURTLE” at the 37th International Sea Turtle Symposium in Las Vegas, USA, on the 20th of April, 2017.
Reflecting the global reach of the online space, the global nature of the threats to sea turtles, and the global activities of the shipping industry, a global gathering of sea turtle experts was chosen as the forum for the official launch of the new game.
In an innovative new partnership, the game’s development has been sponsored by one of the world’s leading designer-manufacturers of ballast water treatment systems – Korean company, NK.
Oceanking SA, who are the exclusive representative of NK in Greece, played a pivotal role in bringing their client together with the Greece-based NGO. As a leading supplier of all types of marine systems to the shipping industry, Oceanking immediately recognised the synergies between a technology designed to protect vulnerable marine ecosystems from the damage caused by invasive alien species and the 30-year-long efforts of MEDASSET to conserve sea turtles in the Mediterranean.
The aim of TEAM TURTLE is to bring marine life and the challenges faced by endangered sea turtles right into the living space of young people, and to excite and educate them through an activity they would naturally choose for themselves – playing a game! The design team’s approach was to enable players to take on the role of “rescuer” or “guardian” of the little hatchlings they see struggling to survive on screen. Once they do that, an emotional bond begins to form; a small but crucial step on the road to building a lifelong, caring relationship between an individual and the life of the sea.
Costis Hassiotis, CEO of Oceanking SA stated: “We are all responsible for keeping our oceans healthy. Oceanking and our partners, NK, are proud to support MEDASSET’s work and the development of tools, like this engaging game, that help to cultivate the environmental awareness we need if we’re to build a sustainable future for ourselves and the generations to come. Such initiatives are part of Oceanking’s social responsibility strategy.”
Anna Stamatiou, MEDASSET’s General Secretary and member of the TEAM TURTLE development team observed: “We don’t have opportunities to experience the mysterious and ancient reality of a living sea turtle every day. What makes us first start to care about something? When we put time and effort into it; investing a part of our life”.
In addition to being simply a fun game to play, TEAM TURTLE can be used by education professionals as an enjoyable part of any lesson plan focusing either on sea turtles or, more generally, on marine life.
Key facts about TEAM TURTLE:
• TEAM TURTLE is free to play and link to, and is available via www.medasset.org/teamturtle
• The game is designed to be enjoyed primarily by children of primary school age.
• It is currently only available in English
• Conservation organisations are invited to include a link on their own websites.
• Companies are invited to recommend the game to staff members and their families.
All species illustrated in this edition of TEAM TURTLE can, in line with MEDASSET’s own mission, be found within the Mediterranean basin. Other, geographically distinct, “marine scenes” are an ambition for the future. Likewise, additional “game zones” are already at concept stage and are ready to be developed in cooperation with interested partners.
To play the game, visit: www.medasset.org/teamturtle