How can ocean knowledge translate into better decisions for marine biodiversity?
At the Atlantic Summit in Galway, BioProtect joined researchers, policymakers and ocean stakeholders to explore this question, sharing its tools and connecting its work on marine biodiversity protection and restoration with wider discussions on research, policy and implementation.
The summit brought ocean knowledge and cooperation into focus as essential elements of Europe’s future. Its outcome statement identified three priorities: sustained investment in ocean knowledge, stronger Atlantic partnerships, and the skills and leadership needed to deliver lasting impact. These priorities provided the ideal setting for BioProtect’s contributions, which highlighted how project results can support informed decisions about the marine environment.
Bringing marine planning tools into the conversation
Working in collaboration with the Centre for Creative Technologies, BioProtect hosted a dedicated showcase space where, over two days, project partners demonstrated the BioProtect Marine Planner and BioProtect Engage platforms. Visitors had the opportunity to explore how these digital tools can support marine spatial planning, stakeholder engagement and evidence-based decision-making.
The demonstrations led to conversations about how the tools can be used in practice to support marine biodiversity protection and restoration, alongside the project’s next steps with demonstration sites across Europe and beyond. The BioProtect Marine Planner was also presented to policymakers from the European Commission’s DG Research and Innovation and DG Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, offering a practical example of how BioProtect’s results can contribute to informed marine planning.
A different kind of showcase
Alongside the digital demonstrations, the showcase featured marine-inspired arts and crafts made by people from Galway Bay, including a yarn aquarium. Posters explaining the project and the BioProtect Marine Planner complemented the displays, bringing together marine science, digital tools and local creativity.
For BioProtect, the summit was an opportunity to exchange ideas with researchers, policymakers and marine stakeholders about the future of marine planning and ocean governance. By bringing its tools into these discussions, the project helped connect the wider ambitions for Atlantic cooperation with practical approaches to protecting and restoring marine biodiversity.
Many thanks to our partners at the University of Galway (Insight Research Centre for Data Analytics), the Marine Institute and ICES for representing BioProtect in Galway, to the Centre for Creative Technologies, to the people of Galway Bay who shared their work, and to everyone who visited our space and joined the conversation!
