Past Events
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!
CCMS represented MSP4BIO & BLUE CONNECT projects at the Mission Arena 3
Two weeks ago, the Mission Arena 3 of the BlueMission Banos took place in Amsterdam, organized by the coordinator SUBMARINER Network, Berlin, Germany. With over 200 participants addressing challenges in the Blue Circular Economy, the MSP4BIO and BLUE CONNECT were proud to be showcased along with BLUE4ALL and MPA Europe projects.
On November 26-27th, 2024, during the 3rd Blue Mission Arena in Amsterdam, the panel session "Connecting Seas: Cooperation and Tools for EU Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)" brought together leading voices from EU-funded projects to address critical challenges and opportunities in marine conservation. This session united representatives from the MSP4BIO&BLUE CONNECT projects, including from CCMS, as well as BioProtect, BLUE4ALL and MPA Europe. Each project showcased groundbreaking tools and methodologies designed to safeguard marine biodiversity while fostering sustainable governance and stakeholder collaboration in Marine Protected Areas across Europe.
Read more: CCMS represented MSP4BIO & BLUE CONNECT projects at the Mission Arena 3
Fifth MSP4BIO General Assembly showcased main achievements
Partners from MSP4BIO got together for the Fifth General Assembly Meeting held on 5 and 6 of February 2025 in an online format event. The two days meeting was filled with intense presentations on the main results achieved in the MSP4BIO and discussions on fine-tunning the outcomes and their widespread communication and promotion across the six test sites and beyond.
On the first day, in active interactive sessions partners discussed and contributed to socio-ecological management framework for MPAs and MSP integration and to the formulation of recommendations on Strategic Environmental Assessment process for MPA and MSP integration. In the afternoon the recent updates on the ESE Integrated Framework, feedbacks from MSP4BIO Communities of Practice and next steps were presented and discussed among partners to fine-tune the ESE tools, ecological and socio-economic criteria and measures for better alignment of MSP and MPAs. Afterwards, policy solutions for each test sites and results from the Think Thank science-policy events were presented and brainstormed to facilitate the biodiversity mainstreaming in MSP and to address the gaps in EU and Regional Seas Policy Frameworks for improved integration of biodiversity protection in a science-based MSP.
Read more: Fifth MSP4BIO General Assembly showcased main achievements
CCMS at the MSP WEEK, MSP-GREEN & REGINA-MSP Final conferences & MSP4BIO think-thank science-policy dialogue in Marseille, 22-24 October 2024
On 22nd of October 2024 “A Decade of European MSP – Stakeholder Conference”, an exciting and dynamic conference exploring the evolving landscape of MSP was conducted in Marseille, France. The conference brings together experts, policymakers, and industry leaders from across the European Union and beyond, to foster dialogue, share best practices, and chart a course towards more integrated and sustainable maritime planning. Over five engaging sessions, the accomplishments of the last decade, lessons learnt, challenges, and future direction of MSP, highlighting the critical role of stakeholder engagement, regional cooperation, and innovative technologies were explored. The discussions covered a wide range of priority topics, from the impact of the European Green Deal on MSP to the integration of climate-smart trends and cutting-edge technologies, how MSP plans are being updated to address contemporary issues such as climate change and multi-use conflicts, the benefits and challenges of data-driven innovations like digital twins for marine environments.
Read more: CCMS at the MSP WEEK, MSP-GREEN & REGINA-MSP Final conferences & MSP4BIO think-thank...