Last week, we participated in European Maritime Day (EMD) 2026 in Limassol, Cyprus, contributing to a vibrant and collaborative presence through a joint booth with the MPA Community Network, and projects PHAROS, BLUE CONNECT, BLUE4ALL, and MSP4BIO. Over two dynamic days, the event brought together marine professionals, policymakers, and stakeholders from across Europe, fostering exchange on the future of marine protection and sustainable ocean management.
Visitors to our booth had the opportunity to explore a range of innovative tools and initiatives developed under EU-funded projects. We presented the BioProtect Marine Planner, designed to support more informed and integrated ocean decision-making processes. The tool attracted strong interest from stakeholders seeking practical solutions for marine spatial planning and biodiversity protection.
Alongside BioProtect, the PHAROS project engaged participants through an immersive Virtual Reality experience, while projects BLUE CONNECT, BLUE4ALL, and MSP4BIO all contributed valuable insights on stakeholder engagement strategies, ocean literacy approaches, and community-led restoration efforts. In addition, the EFFECTIVE project introduced its COSEA App and showcased a range of innovative outputs supporting ecosystem-based management.
Overall, the engagement and exchange of ideas at EMD 2026 underscored the growing momentum behind collaborative approaches to marine conservation in Europe. We leave Limassol inspired by the connections made and the shared commitment to advancing sustainable ocean management.
Looking forward to continuing this dialogue at European Maritime Day 2027 in Santander, Spain!
