Center for Coastal & Marine Studies
BLUE CONNECT: ENABLERS, BARRIERS, AND INSIGHTS FROM DEMONSTRATION SITES
BLUE CONNECT project relies on its 12 Demonstration Sites (DSs) to test and demonstrate a systematic approach to marine conservation planning and management. A crucial first step in this process is conducting a scoping and baseline analysis of the DSs, providing a clear picture of their biodiversity, human pressures, governance structures, and conservation challenges.
The scoping aimed at capturing the full picture of each demonstration site:
Nature: species, habitats, and ecological data.
Pressures: human activities such as fisheries, tourism, transport, and other uses.
Protection & management: legal status, conservation measures, and the presence of a management body.
Participation: involvement of local communities and stakeholders in decision-making.
Monitoring & restoration: technologies, ongoing initiatives, and financial or institutional mechanisms.
Strict protection measures, Funding tools: ………..
By identifying both enablers and barriers, the assessment provided a comprehensive overview of each site’s challenges and opportunities.
Online Course: Integrated Ocean Planning - Marine Protected Areas, Multi-Use and Business Pathways
Have you ever wondered how MPAs & ocean multi-use can shape the future of the ocean, business opportunities & career pathways?
This course, organized by SUBMARINER Network, Germany explores the role of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and ocean multi-use strategies in building a resilient and thriving blue economy.
Over four weeks, youwill dive into how conservation, governance, and entrepreneurship intersect in the planning and use of ocean space. From understanding Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) to exploring multi-use pilots across European sea basins, you’ll gain practical insight into how the ocean is managed—and how new solutions are developed.
You’ll also discover how MPAs support biodiversity, climate resilience, and local economies, while opening doors for sustainable ventures. Through real-world case studies, interactive exercises, and strategic tools, you’ll learn how to evaluate MPA effectiveness, engage stakeholders, and integrate conservation into business models. Along the way, you’ll explore innovative financing, circular economy principles, and leadership strategies that enable scalable solutions.
Whether you are a student, innovator, or professional, this course will help you understand the governance and business opportunities shaping the future of ocean protection, and your role within it!
Explore the course here!
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.
