Center for Coastal & Marine Studies
Building the ecological foundations of the Blue Connect Integrated Framework
BLUE CONNECT framework: a step-by-step approach for advancing effective, ecologically-based management of Marine Protected Areas
Work Package 2 (WP2) of BLUE CONNECT Project is dedicated to creating a practical framework to guide the formulation of conservation and restoration goals and targets for Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), grounded in ecological principles. This ecological emphasis is intended to establish a solid, quantifiable reference point that other work packages can later enrich with socio-economic and governance elements. Deliverable 2.1 introduces the building blocks of the Blue Connect Integrated Framework, outlining an operational, ecology-driven methodology to assist MPA managers in defining conservation and restoration goals and targets, while also highlighting the knowledge gaps that will be addressed in the following phases of the project. The framework draws upon findings from a systematic review of scientific and grey literature compiled by project partners and incorporates feedback from stakeholders, ensuring it is both evidence-based and applicable in real-world contexts.
Read the full news here and follow the BLUE CONNECT website!
Photography Contest 2025: What Does Marine Protection Mean to Me?
Organised by: SUBMARINER Network under the Blue4All project and Blue4All Partner Organizations
About the Contest
This Europe-wide photography contest invites all individuals to reflect on their personal connection to the ocean and showcase what marine protection means to them. Oceans and seas play a vital role in sustaining life on Earth, and marine protected areas (MPAs) are essential tools for conserving biodiversity and ensuring long-term sustainability. Everyone is invited to submit photographs that highlight the beauty, value, and need for protecting Europe's marine and coastal environments. Whether it’s a quiet moment by a stormy shore, marine life glimpsed on a dive, or a powerful seascape that evokes your connection to the sea, we want to see the world through your lens.
How to Participate
Submit up to 3 photographs. Each entry must be submitted individually through the online submission form.
Deadline: 26 August 2025, 23:59 CET
Participation is free of charge. Each submission must include:
- A high-resolution photo (preferably 300dpi or higher; JPG or PNG format; max 10MB)
- A title and short description (max 150 words)
- Your name, country the picture was taken in, and email address.
Welcome to the MSP4BIO Flash Newsletter 2025 Summer Edition!
We entered to the final month of the MSP4BIO project, so we would like to share some reflections on our Final Event, along with some key insights and outcomes from the past three years.
MEDIGREEN & NESBp Workshops 01-02 July
The Blue Week kicked of with internal workshops from the MEDIGREEN and NESB project who then joined the first day of the MSP4BIO Final Event focusing on Cross-fertilisation and knowledge transfer. A great opportunity to reflect on synergies and build on partnerships.
MSP4BIO Final Event, 02-04 July
- Closing the MSP4BIO chapter with lasting Impact
In the first week of July, Venice brought together marine planners, policymakers, researchers, and sister projects for three days of collaboration, validation, and future planning during the MSP4BIO Final Event. From cross-project exchanges, validation sessions and interactive workshops to strategy sessions on long-term uptake, the event marked a major milestone in biodiversity mainstreaming within Maritime Spatial Planning.
- Key Takeaways include:
1) Strong collaboration across projects is vital to harmonize methodologies and maximize impact.
2) Building trust with stakeholders fosters inclusive, transparent, and long-term planning efforts.
3) Achieving policy coherence across sectors and jurisdictions is indispensable for meaningful change.
4) Embracing ecosystem-based approaches ensures that maritime spatial planning supports both biodiversity conservation and human well-being.
Read the full story on our website: MSP4BIO Final Event
MSP4BIO Final Conference took place in Venice, Italy 02 – 04 July 2025
Last week 02 – 04 July 2025., the final event of MSP4BIO took place in Venice, generously hosted by CNR-ISMAR Institute of Marine Sciences in synergy with the MEDIGREEN and NESBp workshops.
This three-day event brings together a rich community of project partners, policymakers, marine planners, MPA managers, Communities of Practice, and sister project representatives to reflect on biodiversity mainstreaming in Marine Spatial Planning (MSP), for discussion and validation of project results, interactive sessions on their exploitation and upscale, with keynote speeches, and hands-on workshops. The event run alongside MEDIGREEN’s internal workshop and NESBp Multi-Use workshop on Maripark scenario building, offering extensive opportunities for cross project dialogue and networking against the unique backdrop of Venice’s historic Arsenale.
Showcasing the results in the six MSP4BIO test site session was led by Margarita Stancheva (CCMS), as coordinating the development of site-specific planning solutions supported by the application of the MSP4BIO integrated Ecological an Socio-Economic Framework (ESE) and the cutting-edge Decision Support Tools (DSTs).
