On a beautiful summer day, Oliver and Estrela, two biologists from Centre of Marine Sciences (CCMAR), dived into the Ria Formosa to investigate the species that live in the Ria. These biologists had the goal to collect data and samples to evaluate the state that the animals who live in Ria Formosa were in.

   As soon as they dived, they were delighted by the beauty of their surroundings. It looked like they had entered a marine paradise. The green of the aquatic plants, the schools of fish and so many other species that they saw, left them amazed.

- So much beauty! 

- shouted Estrela.

- It 's true! 

- answered Oliver.

- How do people have the courage to pollute a place with so much life and beauty? 

- continued Oliver.

Is anyone there?

At that moment they realised that something was moving nearby…

- Is anyone there? - asked Olive, scared.

From behind a rock a long white bearded octopus emerged.  It was really old so it knew about everything that was happening in the Ria. 

- Good morning my dear, I am octopus Armando, the oldest animal of this Ria. I’ve seen and lived a lot!! - said the octopus, introducing himself. And continued:

- I heard your conversation. It 's true! Humans are unaware that they are the greatest enemy of the world. They use the Ria for whatever they want and it is contaminating the plants and animals! They throw garbage and toxic waste into the Ria, use it as sewage… Anyway, if they don't change their attitude, they will end up destroying our habitat.

At that point, Oliver and Estrela were completely in shock, astonished. They didn’t even want to believe it! A talking octopus? They quickly understood that they had entered a magic world…

- You are absolutely right! And that's exactly why we're here.

- We want to get to know your world better and understand the impact of pollution on the lives of the species that live here. - answered Estrela.

We know that there is a population of seahorses here. Where are they? - asked Oliver.

- Oh, those poor guys, almost disappeared! - replied the octopus with a great sigh.

Where are the seahorses?

In my youth there were two species and they were millions: the Guttulatus and the Hippocampus. They lived happily in the marine prairies of the Ria Formosa! Now... I hardly see them! They are now one of the endangered species here in the Ria.

- What happened to them? Where did they go? - asked Estrela.

- More than ninety percent of seahorses have disappeared in the last 20 years! That means two millionof them are no longer here… and they continue to disappear every day! - clarified the octopus Armando.

- But why? - The biologists wanted to know, showing a worried face.

Then the old octopus explained:

- As I've already told you, I think it's the humans' fault! They use the Ria without showing any care for the preservation of those who live here. 

 ... others die trapped in fishermen's nets, still others are taken by holidaymakers as a souvenir or to decorate their homes.

Poor seahorses! Some are caught to be sold to Asian countries that consider them to have “magical” powers, ...

Many die due to high levels of pollution... Once again, it is the fault of humans who throw everything into the estuary and degrade our habitat. Indeed, we are also suffering the effects of climate change that have caused the water temperature to rise.

Estrela and Oliver were sad and shocked by what they heard. Could they help? Estrela asked:

- Oh octopus, can you show us where the sea prairie is, where the seahorse colony lives?

The octopus was thinking... What did these humans want? Was their intention good?

- Okay… - replied the octopus…

- But you can't hurt them! - warned the octopus.

When they arrived at the scene, they did not see any seahorses. Where would they go?

- We don't see any... Where are they octopus? - Oliver questioned.

 - They must be hidden among the algae. You know they have the ability to camouflage themselves and go unnoticed, don't you? - asked the octopus. - I'll call them!

The octopus used a secret language to tell the seahorses that everything was fine and that they could come.

Help us!

Suddenly, several little heads were seen peeking through the seaweed.

- Come! - said the octopus. - These humans will not harm you! They came to help us!

- Hello everyone, we want to help! It is necessary to find out what is possible to do and spread it among the inhabitants of Olhão. - Oliver clarified. - What do you think we should do to protect you?

The head of the colony approached and said:

- I am Marina, the leader of the seahorse population that inhabits the Ria Formosa. - She replied, and continued… 

- I know how you can help us! Follow me, I'll show you something.

And off they went...

After they had swam about a hundred meters, Marina whispered the following to them:

- Now don't make any noise or sudden movements, because I'm going to show you something spectacular!

Shiuuu...don't make any noise!

Falem 

baixinho.

Then Oliver and Estrela found themselves in a snug corner among the seaweed, where there was a small hatchery for seahorse pups.

- See this? – asked Marina – If we don't do anything to protect them, none will survive! None will reach adulthood and, therefore, will not reproduce. - She explained. – Another step towards our extinction!!!

- So let's think about what we can do to help! - exclaimed Oliver.

- Let's build a sanctuary where seahorses are more protected! – proposed Estrela.

- What is a sanctuary? - asked some of the seahorses, confused.

- A sanctuary is a restricted area, a refuge, that serves to protect seahorses. 

Nobody can enter there without authorization, fishermen cannot enter that area and nobody can dive. Only biologists will be able to enter there to study your species. – Oliver clarified.

- Excellent idea!!! – replied the octopus excitedly. By the way, remind your human friends not to pollute the estuary, nor walk around here with those huge machines that stir up the sands and drag the aquatic plants that feed us, protect us and provide us with oxygen!

- Yes, please do it! – begged one of the seahorses.

- Of the few that exist in our species, many are already sick. - moaned another seahorse with a very fragile appearance.

- Don’t worry, we will deal with this with the competent authorities! – he promised Estrela with conviction.

- Now we have to continue our journey through this beautiful estuary…. Will you accompany us, octopus? – Oliver asked expectantly, looking at the old octopus.

- Of course I do! Let 's go!

And the three went on their way…

They swam, swam and found several marine species. They were still delighted with what they saw... Shoals of anchovy, sea bream and flounder appeared! 

Passing through those marine treasures was really wonderful!

Suddenly, they felt the water moving, but Oliver and Estrela didn't understand what was happening and, scared, asked:

- Is anyone there?

- Don't worry, it's a Chilreta Barreta. – explained the octopus.

- Can we talk to her? Can it talk to us? – Oliver questioned, a little confused by that magical world.

- Yes, let's find out more about your species! - added Estrela.

- Walk before it returns to land. – informed the octopus. – It is a bird and only comes to the bottom of the sea to get her food.

Then the octopus grabbed them with one of its eight tentacles and they swam faster to the little bird.

- Who are you? - questioned the bird with a suspicious face.

- Calm down, they came to help us! - the octopus calmed her. - They are thinking of building a sanctuary for seahorses!

- Yes, it's true... We are here to help Ria Formosa! - said Estrela, very confident.

- I'm Chilreta Barreta, the leader of the pack! - the bird introduced itself. - I can't breathe anymore... 

Come with me to the coast.

And they all went to the coast, 

however, the octopus 

stayed by the sea, because

it couldn't stay out of the

water, since it's an aquatic animal.

- Be careful, in that place are

 my eggs! - cried the little bird,  very alarmed..

- Oh sorry! We didn't know...- Oliver said embarrassed.

- It's a good thing 

you didn't step on them...

because most of the time you

humans step on them  and don't even know it...

- added the Chilreta Barreta.

- We will also help  you and excuse the attitude of some humans. - Lamented Estrela.

- Sorry to insist, but there are people who are not really careful! They take their animals to the beach and they destroy our eggs, stepping on them or eating them.

Children also play by the sea with the shells and they don't see that our eggs are there and end up stepping on them. - the Chilreta warned, saddened.

- You're right, but they came here to find a solution. - assured the octopus Armando.

- If they continue to destroy our eggs, there won't be many of us in a few years! We really need help! - said the Chilreta.

- Don't worry, we will inform the RIAS so that it can raise awareness among children and adults so that they become aware of what is happening to you. - Said Oliver.

- Yes, RIAS has a project “Life Ilhas Barreiras” to help the endangered animals of the Ria Formosa. - Said Estrela.

- Good to know that humans are valuing the Ria Formosa and trying to help endangered species. – added the octopus Armando, thrilled that there was some change in human beings.

- You know... In schools, students are also doing beautiful works about the Ria Formosa. - informed Oliver.

- It's true, there are even many children who want to help... and they care a lot about cleaning the beaches and animal welfare. - continued Estrela.

- We have to go back to the depths of the Ria because the tide is going out and I won't be able to stand it! - complained octopus Armando.

- Will you follow us for more discoveries? - suggested Oliver and Estrela.

- Of course we will! - replied the two in chorus.

And the four friends went along the Ria Formosa, but Chilreta went flying over the blue water…

The scenery was worth seeing! The blue of the sky accompanied the blue-green of the temperate waters of the Ria. It seemed that both blues were touching and that the fine dust, stirred by a gentle breeze, served as curtains for that meeting of blues!

The biologists smiled, inspired, talked, looked around and, above their heads, the Chilreta Barreta fluttered freely. This small tern, agile and fast, with a long yellow beak, impressed the two biologists, 

as its fishing technique proved to be accurate.

Look Estrela, look!!!

- Look Estrela, look! Watch the taunting speed as it hunts down its prey!

- Don't spare them, Oliver! Whenever it dives, a small fish or crustacean hangs from its beak. – Assesses the biologist, looking sideways at the wavy-flying migratory bird, so as not to disturb its action.

- It is true! I try not to think about it when it comes to food. It's a matter of survival! – added the tern, now with a more composed stomach.

Armando, the octopus, tried to organize the conversation, so that the biologists' work could be greater and more vigorous, since the tide threatened to ebb and he couldn't stay dry...

Everyone hurried, until a crawling noise was noticed.

- Is anyone there? asked Estrela hesitantly.

- Shiuu! Everyone be quiet! – asked Oliver. – I see a chameleon hanging on that branch!

- A chameleon? A lizard, you mean! – said Armando, showing some fear of the animal.

- Calm down, Armando! - asked Estrela. – The chameleon is a harmless animal. And it's very curious, if you want to know…

- Curious? What do you mean? - asked Chilreta, showing willingness to learn something new.

- Yes, curious! It's a different animal. It likes to camouflage itself in nature, to protect itself from danger and, for that, it has the ability to change color, according to where it is. – said Oliver.

- Oh! It likes to deceive those who seek it and want to harm it?! – the octopus Armando was surprised.

- Yes, it adapts to the environment. 

– clarified the Estrela.

- It is a reptile with a very long tongue to be able to capture its food. – added the biologist Oliver.

- They eat dry leaves and insects, don't they? - asked Armando.

- Yes, very good! They eat 

locusts, ladybugs, beetles, butterflies… - Butterflies?! 

Ladybugs?! Oooohhh… 

I love ladybugs so much! 

Why the hell do chameleons

 eat ladybugs? Can't they

 just eat flies or beetles?! 

- asked the Chilreta.

- No, they can't! Food should be varied, right? You don't just eat shrimp, do you? - asked the Estrela.

- Of course not! What fun would that be?

- See? Just as you don't want to eat shrimp, the chameleon also wants to taste different flavors. – said the octopus, with an air of delight.

- Well, now be quiet and just stand there! We have to try to get to the chameleon, without him thinking that we want to mistreat him. - said the biologist, in a firm tone of voice.

And there they all fell silent. In “freeze” mode, they stopped and did not blink anymore.

The chameleon was still there, swinging on the fragile branch of the bush that hid him and let him entertain himself. 

It thought of its family, friends and Ria which front was dressed in blue-green. It dreamed of a trip to the bottom of the sea and imagined itself wearing a super-protective suit, which would take it to visit the marine prairies.

It was dreaming of the air bubbles that would come out of its mouth when Oliver stroked its head.

He quivered. Froze. Tried to move, but preferred to play dead. He sprawled on the branch and held his breath.

Then he looked him in the eyes and asked: 

- Help? I've needed help from men like you  for a long time… 

But, unfortunately, 

nobody cares 

about my species. 

We are almost

 extinct. 

Almost alone...

I don't know what to do, to be able to counter all the evils that have kept us from living longer.

- I can guess how you feel… 

But we are here to help you! 

– answered Oliver, calmly.

– What 's your name? First, I need to know what you'd like to be called.

- I’m  Sebastião and I live here with my brother..

- These are my friends: Estrela, Chilreta and Armando. 

They all waved and   smiled at him. They all comforted and reassured him.

 - Look Sebastião, we are marine biologists. We are here to figure out how we can maintain the species that live in this beautiful Ria. - added Estrela. 

- We decided to come talk to you, to start acting, protecting you from all the evils of humans. And, therefore, we decided to create the Commission for the Protection of Animals in Danger. We need a President for that Commission, so that we can collect your suggestions to act, quickly. We want your well-being! After all, this is your home!

- Sebastião, moved, gave Oliver and Estrela a hug. Armando, a little further away, was waving, euphoric, with his eight long arms.

And Chilreta was doing pirouettes in the air, as if she was performing acrobatics similar to those of RedBull planes.

Everyone held hands and decided that the President of the Commission would be Armando, since he has eight arms and, with them, he will be able to perform more tasks.

However, screaming, Armando was saying:

- Easy, people! I may have more arms, but I'm not much of a thinker… I need everyone from the Ria to help me take care of this house!

Everybody laughed!

Everyone came together, for a cause, which is in everyone's hands. And, as part of a party, Sebastião changed clothes (which is how to say, color!).

Everyone raised their arms and shouted:

Our House is BEAUTIFUL

And in the country she is famous!

Together we will survive

And happy we will return to BE!

This book is born in the context of the Erasmus+ Project dynamics "We Share One Future: Learning and Acting to Transform".

It is a story that combines scientific knowledge and students' imagination, in a collective textual production resulting from research and interdisciplinary activities, developed in the context of the classroom.

Producing this book was a demonstration of our commitment to prevent pollution and the threat of extinction of some animal species in our beautiful Ria Formosa.

Its existence is the result of collaborative work between Students, Teachers and Parents.

Together we will help to save the Ria Formosa!

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Book Title: Is Someone There?...Meetings in the Ria Formosa

Text Production: collective work of students from the 3rd year classes of EBI/JI JCM (school year 2020/2021)

Text Revision: 3rd year teachers and students of EBI/JI JCM (2020/2021 school year)

Illustrations: All Primary School and Preschool classes at EBI/JI JCM in Olhão, EB1 in Brancanes and EB1 in Quelfes and 1 class in Elementary School Eb2, 3 Professor Paula Nogueira (Agrupamento de Escolas Professor Paula Nogueira)

Audio production: Parents and students

Editing: Teachers from the School Group Professor Paula Nogueira

RIA FORMOSA