Blue Connect Project

Happy #BalticSeaDay to our friends in the region. Thanks for all you do!

🤿 Exciting opportunity for #diving and #snorkeling enthusiasts in the area of L'Albera, Spain! Two chances to participate in a #bioblitz or photographic census of this incredibly biodiverse space. 🪼 Free to join, find out more below. 📍Check timetables and register at: 👉 https://lnkd.in/dKCBnHhi #CitizenScience #MarineProtectedAreas #BlueConnect

🌊 Happy #MPADay! Today we’re shining a spotlight on the amazing people driving #MarineProtection across Europe! 💪 In the Blue Connect project, 12 demonstration sites are showing just how powerful co-managed MPAs can be. 🤝 🌍 5 interlinked focus categories are at the core of the project; key #MPAManagement activities that shape how each site tackles marine protection, depending on local needs and priorities. 1️⃣ Passive Restoration: Community supported measures  2️⃣ Monitoring: Incorporating community knowledge  3️⃣ Ecological connectivity: Local inclusion in protecting blue corridors  4️⃣ Active restoration: Community engaged recovery  5️⃣ Co-management and engagement: Inclusive stewardship Together, we’re proving that protecting #biodiversity and supporting #ClimateResilience works best when people are part of the plan. 🐟 #MarineProtectedAreas #ClimateAction SUBMON, HELCOM - Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission

🇳🇴 🐋 Blue Connect was present at the #MPA in #MSP conference in Bodo, Norway, last week! Débora Gutierrez 🌊 Creative Solutions/ Project Management from the University of the Azores and Demo Site Lead for #Macaronesia in our project presented our work with the local stakeholder engagement groups through the talk “Stakeholder engagement in the Blue Connect project: Bridging gaps in Marine conservation”. Read more below 👇 https://lnkd.in/ex3zNZmj

🌊 Strengthening Marine Protection Through Collaboration 🌊 Last month, the coastal town of Arendal, Norway, hosted over 45 participants for the BlueConnect Second General Assembly. This project event, held at the Visitor's Centre across from Raet National Park—one of BlueConnect's 12 demonstration sites—brought together experts from across Europe to advance #marineconservation efforts. Key activities included: 🪸 Interactive Sessions: Engaging discussions on stakeholder engagement strategies and the development of the BlueConnect Blueprint for marine conservation planning. 🐋 Collaborative Insights: Presentations from projects like MSP4BIO, Blue4All, BioAgora, and the MPA Community Network highlighted synergies and shared goals in marine protection. 🦐 Community Engagement: A boat tour through Raet National Park allowed participants to connect with local stakeholders, emphasising the importance of community involvement in conservation efforts. As we approach the 2030 biodiversity targets, with only 12.3% of European marine areas currently protected, initiatives like BlueConnect are crucial for driving meaningful change. 🔗 Learn more about the assembly and its outcomes: https://lnkd.in/dBFFM3up #BlueConnect #MarineConservation #MPA #Biodiversity2030 #StakeholderEngagement #EUProjects

📣Exciting news! 🌊 The BLUE4ALL project is joining Blue Connect Project’s General Assembly online right now, reaffirming our commitment to this strategic partnership. 👉🏻In this hybrid gathering, we are building directly on the robust foundation that BLUE4ALL has laid—fostering innovation, exchanging valuable insights, and accelerating our shared progress toward #SustainableBlueSolutions. 🙌🏻We’re thrilled to collaborate with MPA managers, local communities, and stakeholders to co-develop science-based conservation measures, drive strict protection and restoration of marine ecosystems, and craft a scalable blueprint for effective marine conservation under the Blue Connect Project ´s mission. #Blue4All #BlueConnect

🌊 Day 1 of the Blue Connect Project General Assembly - Arendal 🇳🇴 🔵 Over the next two days, partners from across Europe — including MPA managers, authorities, industries, and local communities — will work together in fully interactive sessions, sharing experiences from our 12 Demonstration Sites and beyond. Blue Connect Project, funded under the EU Mission Ocean, is addressing one of the most urgent challenges of our time: protecting and restoring marine habitats and ecosystems to meet EU and global restoration targets by 2030. Through co-development and cross-sector collaboration, we are demonstrating a systematic approach to marine conservation planning — where science, policy, and practice meet. 🌍 The energy in the room is high — let’s make these days count! #BlueConnect #MissionOcean #GeneralAssembly

🌐 Blue Connect Project onboard the METEOR at #UNOC2025 🌊 👉🏻During last wednesday 's MPA Community Network workshop, Mariana Mata Lara presented the MPA Community Network, outlining its components and ambition to serve as a one-stop shop for MPA managers. 👉🏻Later, as facilitator, she supported participants through a highly interactive #MPACorridorDesignGame. 30 participants explored ecological priorities, trade-offs and stakeholder interests — delivering three very different proposals. 🔗 More details: https://lnkd.in/eM7_7_3P #MPACommunityNetwork #MarineProtection #Collaboration

🔵 It’s happening now! The Blue Connect Project´S General Assembly is officially underway. 🌊 👉🏻Our partners are gathered online and will gathered in person next week to review project progress, exchange knowledge, and coordinate next steps in advancing #MarineConservation, #Restoration, and governance across #EuropeanSeas. 🙌🏻Together, we’re working to strengthen protected marine areas, test nature-inclusive solutions, and support EU biodiversity targets through science-based, collaborative approaches. 👉 Learn more about Blue Connect Project: https://lnkd.in/dpj6Ae9E CINEA - European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency European Research Executive Agency (REA) Mission Ocean

🌊 Today at #UNOC3! Blue Connect Project is taking part in the interactive workshop: "Aboard METEOR: From Science to Ocean Action" 🗓 11 June 2025 | 🕐 13:00–15:00 CET 📍 Port Lympia, Quai Île de Beauté, Nice Together with MPA Community Network and partner EU projects — BioProtect Project, BLUE4ALL, Blue Connect Project, MSP4BIO, #PHAROS & MarinePlan— we’re co-developing approaches to design MPA corridors balancing ecosystem connectivity, socio-economic needs, and industry realities. A unique opportunity to test innovative tools and contribute to the EU Mission Ocean objectives directly from the field! 🚢 #BlueConnect #UNOC3 #MissionOcean #MarineConservation #EUProjects #MPAs #BlueEconomy #MarineSpatialPlanning #30x30 #OceanGovernance