Center for Coastal & Marine Studies
MPS4BIO FINAL EVENT
MSP4BIO Final Event – Venice, 2th- 4th of July 2025
Join us for the MSP4BIO Final Event, an essential gathering for MSP4BIO Communities of Practice and stakeholders, marine planners, marine protected areas managers, policy and decision makers and experts in marine conservation and sustainability. This event is set against the backdrop of Venice’s historic charm and will run concurrently with the MEDIGREEN´s internal workshop event, offering a comprehensive platform for discussion and networking.
Event Overview:
Dates: July 2-4, 2025
Location: CNR ISMAR Headquarter, Venice – Italy
Format: Keynote speeches, interactive sessions, and workshops with projects partners and policymakers.
Why Attend?
Engage with international experts and stakeholders, discover innovative practices in marine planning and conservation management, and connect with peers to forge partnerships for future collaboration.
Upcoming Details: Stay tuned for more information on the agenda, keynote speakers, and special sessions.
Registration: Registration details will be provided soon.
We look forward to welcoming you to Venice for an inspiring three days of learning and collaboration aimed at shaping the future of our oceans.
BLUE CONNECT at the European Ocean Days 2025!
From March 3rd-7th, the EUROPEAN OCEAN DAYS brought together policymakers, researchers, and practitioners in Brussels to discuss the future of Ocean Governance, Marine Conservation, and the Blue Economy. As part of the BLUE CONNECT project, we were there to gather insights on the latest marine protection strategies and challenges, connect with key stakeholders and explore potential collaborations.
One of the highlights was the MPA Card Game, developed collaboratively by BLUE CONNECT, BIOPROTECT, PHAROS, BLUE4ALL, Marine Plan, and MSP4BIO.
The game was a hit!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO CCMS: WE TURN 7!
On 9 March 2025 we celebrate seven years of the Center for Coastal and Marine Studies (CCMS)! The past seven years of success, challenges, exchange and learning, has been an incredible experience!
We have accomplished so much, but the best is yet to come!
CCMS was born with the fundamental goal of developing and promoting science, research, knowledge transfer, and innovation technologies in the Black Sea and in the World Ocean by bringing together science, environment, expertise, stakeholders and policy making. Our activities comprise a vast range of coastal and marine research (studies and surveys in the field of modern coastal and marine processes), as well as support to the implementation of the EU coastal and maritime Strategies and Directives (MSP, Blue and Circular Economy, European Green Deal, EU Mission: Restore our Ocean and Waters, etc.), by developing scientific basis and providing knowledge and expertise, project participation, networking and consultancy.
SITE-SPECIFIC GAPS AND OPPORTUNITIES TO SUPPORT KNOWLEDGE-BASED MSP
Authors:
Inne Withouck, Flanders Marine Institute – VLIZ
Isabelle Rombouts, Flanders Marine Institute – VLIZ
Margarita Stancheva, Center for Coastal and Marine Studies – CCMS
Fien De Raedemaecker, Flanders Marine Institute – VLIZ
Natascha Jaspert, s.Pro – sustainable projects
Ivana Stojanovic, s.Pro – sustainable projects
Analysing the coherence of maritime polices and management tools, and their effectiveness for conservation targets is crucial for advancing knowledge-based Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP).
In the six MSP4BIO test sites across five European sea basins, a thorough gap analysis identified several issues, divided into four categories, that hampered the effective integration of marine protection and MSP. This was validated with the Communities of Practice (CoPs) in the test sites made up of MSP and MPA authorities, sectoral representatives, researchers and environmental organisations.
