SeaCras is proud to announce a unique partnership with the Rewilding Velebit Foundation, introducing Croatia’s very first sea quality app in Zavratnica Bay and the neighbouring Jablanac. This innovative project brings together advanced technology and nature conservation, setting a new standard for transparent, accessible environmental data, and regenerative tourism.
Information boards with QR codes are now placed above and around Zavratnica cove.
How It Works
This summer, visitors to Zavratnica and Jablanac will notice information boards with a QR code placed near the coves, together with stickers and flyers distributed in the surrounding area. By simply scanning the code, or visiting our sea quality link here, anyone can instantly access interactive, up-to-date maps displaying sea cleanliness and possible pollution or algal blooms.
Interactive application is easy to use for all age groups and accessible on any device – from anywhere and at any time.
Scan and take a look at one of the most recognisable and beautiful Adriatic bays in Croatia, famous for its crystal-clear water– seen from space!
What makes this system unique is the use of high-resolution satellite imagery and state-of-the-art artificial intelligence. SeaCras’ technology analyzes the latest data and updates the application timely, giving swimmers, locals, and tourists reliable, free information about the sea quality in real time.
Why This Matters
Zavratnica and Jablanac are among the Adriatic’s most famous and beautiful natural treasures. By providing open, real-time data, this project protects not only swimmers and visitors, but also encourages sustainable tourism and the preservation of sensitive marine environments.
The initiative is made possible thanks to the collaboration between SeaCras and Rewilding Velebit, with the support of the Velebit Nature Park. Rewilding Velebit is a non-profit foundation dedicated to nature conservation in the Velebit region, focusing on the restoration of natural processes and habitats, as well as increasing wildlife populations.
They promote coexistence between people and nature and aim to strengthen biodiversity in the long term – a goal that depends on public involvement, from the youngest to the most experienced members of society. Rewilding Velebit is the local partner of the Rewilding Europe initiative in Croatia.
Experience the future of sea protection – scan the QR code in Zavratnica or Jablanac, or visit this link for real-time sea quality data.
A Model for the Future
This is the first project of its kind in Croatia to make data transparent and available as a public good on a public beach, all powered by our sea quality app – serving swimmers, local communities, and nature. The service will be freely available to everyone throughout the summer of 2025.
“We are excited to show how technology and nature protection can go hand-in-hand. We hope this will inspire responsible enjoyment of the Adriatic,” says Rewilding Velebit.
Smart use of technology combined with the power of science and nature conservation creates an opportunity for Croatia to become a model of sustainable ocean management. This initiative gives the public a hands-on tool that highlights the importance of protecting nature, offers clear insight into the real-time sea quality, and sparks the growth of regenerative tourism.
Overlooking Zavratnica beach, with its narrow bay, clear turquoise water, and steep rocky cliffs
We’ve been featured as one of the top 10 European spacetech startups to watch in 2025 by four European VC funds! These funds recognised our work and selected SeaCras as one of their top picks, which they shared with Sifted, Europe’s leading startup media brand, backed by the world-renowned Financial Times.
This recognition places SeaCras among Europe’s top spacetech innovators using satellite technology that tackle pressing global environmental challenges.
Our Coastal Intelligence system delivers scalable, non-invasive solutions for climate security aspects, including pollution detection, waterway monitoring, and the identification of ecosystem threats for public and CBRNE applications. All this is made possible by using satellite imagery and artificial intelligence to monitor and protect marine and coastal environments.
What this means is that these insights empower decision-makers to respond faster to climate risks and take action to protect marine biodiversity more effectively.
With over 630,000 startups in its database, Siftedtracks the most promising ventures shaping Europe’s innovation landscape. Of these, around 500 operate in the fast-growing spacetech sector. SeaCras’ selection as a standout company highlights our strong vision and impactful environmental mission.
The recognition has also gained local and regional attention, with many Croatian media outlets and news portals featuring SeaCras’ achievement. We’re thankful for being highlighted to represent the region on the European innovation map and for developing technology that can contribute to global sustainability efforts from our base in Croatia.
Also, we’re immensely proud to be developing solutions that are not only crucial for the Mediterranean but have global significance. Being named among the top 10 spacetech startups by the VCs confirms the value of our mission — to make coastlines more resilient through data, science, and innovation.
Finally, this milestone marks a major step forward for SeaCras, affirming our place as a key player in the future of environmental monitoring and coastal intelligence.
In July 2025, the Josip Juraj Strossmayer Water Institute and SeaCras, signed a cooperation agreement in the field of research and development of technologies for the analysis and monitoring of the state of marine and inland waters, strengthening efforts in water protection.
This partnership brings together expert knowledge in the management and analysis of all types of water bodies, on-site sampling capabilities, centralised data fusion systems, and state-of-the-art artificial intelligence models for environmental monitoring.
All this is enhanced through the integration of very high-resolution satellite imagery and enriched with various meteorological and anthropogenic descriptors within a digital twin infrastructure.
The transfer of knowledge and technology between partners will support the monitoring of all aquatic ecosystems, including marine environments and inland waters such as lakes, rivers, reservoirs, and dams.
Particular emphasis is placed on improving monitoring practices and understanding the short- and long-term impacts of treated wastewater discharges on water quality descriptors in urbanised areas.
This partnership adopts an approach fully aligned with key EU and international strategic frameworks and policies, including:
Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (UWWTD) – 91/271/EEC
Bathing Water Directive (BWD) – 2006/7/EC
United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – particularly Goals (Good Health and Well-being), 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), 13 (Climate Action), and 14 (Life Below Water)
This initiative also contributes to the priorities set by the European Commission in the fields of digital transformation, Green Deal objectives, and Smart Specialisation Strategies (S3), especially in the domains of climate resilience, AI-powered environmental monitoring, and data-driven water governance.
The Josip Juraj Strossmayer Water Institute, established by the Government of the Republic of Croatia, is renowned for its expertise in the fields of natural, biotechnical, and technical sciences, particularly in chemistry and biology, with a focus on water science and quality assessment.
