Project Manaia is an innovative marine research NGO based in Austria. Founded by Manuel Marinelli in 2014, our small but growing nonprofit organization is dedicated to ocean conservation and works tirelessly at sea. Our mission focuses on preserving seagrass, investigating invasive species, and clearing out marine debris.

We have achieved significant milestones along our journey, including the acquisition of a research vessel and collaborations with esteemed organizations such as Greenpeace Foundation and Deutsche Stiftung Meeresschutz. Our research and conservation objectives encompass a range of crucial tasks, from creating distribution maps of seagrass meadows to quantifying seagrass shoot counts and carbon stores. Additionally, we work to evaluate the impact of seagrass health on local biodiversity and the presence of marine mammals and sea turtles.

Our efforts extend to quantifying invasive species numbers and removing ocean debris to protect marine ecosystems. Project Manaia provides a platform for marine biologists and researchers to turn their ideas into reality by offering a home, equipment, and resources aboard our research vessel, SY Waya Waya. We are constantly working to provide affordable research opportunities for scientists and welcome supporters who can help fund our projects.

Together, we can make a lasting difference in the preservation of our precious oceans