Malta is a a tiny island nation in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea. It's unique location and geography have brought it to prominence as a center for Mediterranean corsairing, then as a strategic ally during World War II, and, more recently, as a hub in the world bluefin tuna mariculture trade.  Malta's rocky Mediterranean coastline also make it an interesting and dynamic ecosystem for oceanographic study. The Introduction to Oceanography class had the opportunity to travel throughout the island studying near-coast ecosystems in a day whose highlights included snorkeling along the coast with Professor Alan Deidun an oceanographer at the University of Malta.
