Center for Coastal & Marine Studies
BLUE CONNECT: A Wave of Systematic Solutions for Marine Conservation
The Mission-funded BLUE CONNECT project – with the participation of Center for Coastal and Marine Studies (CCMS) - brings together MPA managers, authorities, industries, and local communities to develop sustainable and systemic solutions for Europe’s marine environments. Anchored in the Mission Ocean and Waters, as both a Mission Charter and BPC, this newly launched project focuses on the strict protection, restoration, and co-management of MPAs to improve ecological connectivity.
BLUE CONNECT will make a splash with its Blueprint for Marine Conservation deliverable – a science-based, step-by-step guide for marine conservation planning, designed to support MPA managers, regional seas cooperation stakeholders, local communities, policymakers, business decision makers and marine planners’ efforts and actions. In this holistic modelling framework, the BLUE CONNECT team will integrate biodiversity, ecological functions, ecosystem services, and stakeholder input. Designed to be scalable, resilient, and adaptable across Europe, the Blueprint will evolve over time, considering the impacts of climate change on marine ecosystems. This Blueprint will be based on learnings from demonstrator sites in Europe, conducted under the project:
“Our project will improve the understanding of co-management and co-ownership challenges, gaps, and opportunities at local, national, and European levels and offer solutions based on demonstrated good practices. To achieve this, we are running 12 demonstrators across four sea basins, exploring passive restoration, innovative monitoring, stakeholder engagement, ecological connectivity, and active restoration. For example, at the Macaronesia demo site, we have already established a local stakeholder working group (LSWG) with 15 organisations where we uncovered that most MPAs have outdated Management Plans and limited examples of effective co-management.” Dr. Margarita Stancheva, Director of Center for Coastal and Marine Studies and partner of the BLUE CONNECT project
MSP4BIO Delivers Innovative Solutions for Biodiversity-Centered Maritime Spatial Planning Across Europe
Authors:
Margarita Stancheva, Center for Coastal and Marine Studies – CCMS
Agnese Cosulich, Sustainable Projects GmbH – s.Pro
As European countries move forward with Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP), one challenge remains consistent: how to effectively protect and restore biodiversity while managing the many demands on our marine spaces. MSP4BIO is tackling this head-on with innovative solutions that bridge the gap between theory and practice — ensuring that biodiversity becomes a core element of MSP across Europe.
One Goal, Many Contexts
EU Member States are at different stages of MSP development. Plans vary in scope—national, regional, and transboundary—and address a broad mix of social, economic, and environmental priorities. Recognising this diversity, MSP4BIO is working in six real-world test sites across the Baltic Sea, North Sea, Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea, and Black Sea. These sites reflect a wide range of planning, challenges and offer opportunities to develop and test solutions that are adaptable and scalable across Europe and beyond.
Read the full Blog Post on the MSP4BIO website!
Want to dive deeper into the solutions?
👉 Download the full report here!
👉 Stay tuned and follow us on LinkedIn for more updates from MSP4BIO as we shape the future of marine spatial planning — where biodiversity and human activity go hand in hand.
Registration open: Nature Inclusive Marine Spatial Planning: Insights from MSP4BIO Test sites
We are delighted to announce that registration is now open for the MSP4BIO webinar: "Nature Inclusive Marine Spatial Planning: Insights from MSP4BIO Test sites"
Date: April 9th, 2025
Time: from 13:00 to 16:00 CET
Format: Online Webinar
Join us for this exclusive webinar hosted by CCMS, exploring the latest advancements in Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) and its impact on biodiversity conservation. This session will present key insights from Deliverable 5.3 of the MSP4BIO project, showcasing practical applications and success stories from test sites where tailored MSP strategies have led to effective ecosystem preservation.
What to Expect:
• Expert insights into innovative MSP approaches
• Real-world applications from MSP4BIO test sites
• Collaborative strategies for marine biodiversity conservation
This webinar offers a unique opportunity to engage with leading experts and deepen your understanding of nature-inclusive marine planning.
The Agenda is available here!
Registration is available here!
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.
