*THE EXHIBITION HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO FEBRUARY 28, 2026*
From 17 May to 30 October 2025, the Natural History Museum of the University of Pisa will host ‘Biodiversity in the Cetacean Sanctuary’, a temporary photographic exhibition curated by the ‘5 Terre Academy’ association. Through explanatory panels and extraordinary underwater images, taken by some of Italy's most talented photographers, visitors can be surprised by the beauty of the underwater world and reflect on the urgency of preserving it.
The Mediterranean Sea occupies just 0.82% of the Earth's surface and only 0.32% of the volume of the world's oceans. Yet, its biodiversity is extraordinary, with a concentration of marine species unique in the world. In particular, the Corsican-Ligurian-Provençal basin represents a true ecological jewel.
However, this richness is constantly under threat: overfishing, pollution, the introduction of alien species and one of the most intense ‘hotspots’ of global maritime traffic threaten the balance of this fragile ecosystem. To protect it, the ‘Cetacean Sanctuary’ was created, but safeguarding it starts with knowledge.
Inside the exhibition, images of nudibranches, sunfish, stenella and gorgonians will welcome visitors with their vibrant colours, offering a virtual immersion along the Ligurian coast and beyond. An exciting journey to discover a biodiversity that is often hidden, but deserves to be known and defended every day, with concrete actions and awareness.
On the opening day of the exhibition, 17 May 2025, at 5 p.m., it will be possible to take part in a guided tour of the photographic exhibition led by Leonardo D'Imporzano of the 5 Terre Academy association. The event is free admission.