OCEAN CITIZEN

Last December, passionate minds came together in #Tenerife, hosted by Ayuntamiento de Guía de Isora, to explore innovative ways to protect our #oceans. From marine #conservation to #reforestation, every initiative shared is shaping a healthier blue planet. ???? Collaboration is key, and the inspiring projects which had the opportunity to exchange ideas and their contributions to #ocean health are proof of what we can achieve together. Even small, targeted efforts can have a big impact on ocean health: we believe that protecting our ocean isn’t just an environmental issue, it is a responsibility we all share! ?? Dive into the highlights of the encounter, read more on our website: https://lnkd.in/dJhKCNAJ Innoceana,?Underwater Gardens International, Plántalo FUNDACIóN SQUARE, Canary Green, Oceana in Europe,? Clément Trystram, #OceanCitizen #MissionOcean #OceanDecade #HorizonEurope #GenerationRestoration #OceanScience #BlueEconomy #2030Agenda

?? Just a few months ago, in the waters off La Gomera (Canary Islands), a multidisciplinary team of scientists from CNRS?(France), the University of Bologna (Alma Mater Studiorum – Università di Bologna)?(Italy), and ECOAQUA?(Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain) embarked on a mission to collect samples of #sponges, #blackcorals, and #gorgonians. ?? The four-day expedition to explore shallow and deep waters had as its primary goal the gathering of data on the distribution, abundance, and population structure of gorgonians and black corals: check out all the details in this article https://lnkd.in/ddANpjfK The fieldwork contributes to OCEAN CITIZEN's Work Package 2 (WP2), which focuses on developing #restoration strategies informed by natural ecosystem dynamics. The samples are being analysed in laboratories, with findings shaping #protocols for #restoring key marine habitats around Tenerife. Stay tuned for more updates! ?? Lorenzo Bramanti? #scientificexpedition #scientificdiving #lagomera #canaryislands?#OceanCitizen #MissionOcean #OceanDecade #HorizonEurope #GenerationRestoration #OceanScience #BlueEconomy #OceanLiteracy #2030Agenda #biodiversity #marinescience

?? Interesting seminar alert! ?? European Macroalgae Management: The Case of Norwegian Kelp Forests ?? March 19, 14:00–15:15 CET ?? Register here: https://lnkd.in/epYUFY5n Kelp forests are crucial for biodiversity, blue carbon storage, and coastal resilience, yet they face increasing pressures. This webinar brings together leading experts to discuss: ? The current state and evolution of Norwegian kelp forests. ? Restoration techniques – what works, what doesn’t? ? Governance and management – balancing conservation & industry. ? How EU research & innovation is shaping blue carbon strategies ?? Speakers: ???Ivan Conesa Alcolea (EU Science, Research and Innovation) – European R&I in support of marine coastal blue carbon ecosystems. ?? Kjell Magnus Norderhaug (Havforskningsinstituttet) – Evolution & present status of Norwegian kelp forests. ?? Eli Rinde (NIVA) – Kelp restoration techniques: opportunities & challenges. ? Gunnar Sander (NIVA) – Kelp governance & management, from harvesting to restoration. ??? Sindre Langaas (NIVA) will moderate. The webinar is co-organized by Horizon Europe projects BlueMissionAA, A-AAGORA - Atlantic Arctic Agora, ACTNOW , C-BLUES EU, Invest4Nature & MARHAB, alongside the Norwegian Blue Forests Network (NBFN). This session is particularly relevant for researchers, policymakers, and professionals working in blue forests, blue carbon, and marine ecosystem restoration. We also encourage participation from projects such as MaCoBioS, CLIMAREST, REST-COAST, ESA Coastal Blue Carbon Project, MarineSABRES, MARCO-BOLO, OBAMA-NEXT Project, BIOcean5D, OCEAN CITIZEN, The Seaquester Project, POMP - Polar Ocean Mitigation Potential, ReWrite, and more.

?? As part of marine #restoration efforts, the Universitat de Barcelona?(UB) conducted a #monitoring campaign last month in the #gorgonian restoration area. This work aligns with the objectives of the OCEAN CITIZEN project, which aims to track environmental variables in the region. To achieve this, University of Barcelona's researchers carried out water column #sampling using a CTD along a transect spanning 10 to 50 meters in depth, crossing the restoration zone. The CTD was deployed at 12 stations to measure temperature, conductivity (to estimate salinity), turbidity, photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), and pH. ?? This monitoring will be repeated monthly for a year to assess environmental conditions and support the restoration of gorgonian populations. Dept. de Dinàmica de la Terra i de l'Oceà?#OceanCitizen #MarineRestoration #CTD #MarineScience #MissionOcean #OceanDecade #HorizonEurope #GenerationRestoration #OceanScience #BlueEconomy #OceanLiteracy #2030Agenda #biodiversity

On #IWD2025, we celebrate women’s contributions to the EU #MissionOcean & Waters ??! From policy makers to researchers & project coordinators, women are?driving?our Mission to restore and protect our ocean and waters by 2030 ??. ?? https://lnkd.in/dYng4tnZ ?#AccelerateAction CINEA - European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency EU Science, Research and Innovation EU Environment and Climate Elisabetta Balzi EcoDaLLi Project BlueMissionAA BlueMissionMed Blue Mission Banos Project #IWD2025 #InternationalWomensDay

Missed the third #MissionOcean & Waters Forum? Don’t worry – you can read all about the insightful discussions and inspiring speeches on marine ecosystem protection and restoration, pollution prevention, a sustainable blue economy, the European Digital Twin of the Ocean that that took place at the event ??. ?? Learn about the progress and achievements of the Mission, ?? Find out which projects have received technical support in ports, islands and fisheries, ?? Explore how projects can secure funding from EU, national, regional, and local sources for their initiatives. Read about what you missed during the #MissionOcean and Waters Forum??? https://lnkd.in/dAYwCPfC CINEA - European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency EU Science, Research and Innovation EU Environment and Climate Elisabetta Balzi EcoDaLLi Project BlueMissionAA BlueMissionMed Blue Mission Banos Project

Here are some key points and takeaways from today’s work at the #MissionOcean Forum, which was quite an intense day: 1. #Localengagement is vital for achieving conservation; we must trust society as an agent of change. 2. Enhance #collaboration between lighthouses and projects for better outcomes. 3. Learn from #successfulstories; adapt proven practices rather than reinventing them. 4. Promote #oceanliteracy through education and inclusivity to inspire conservation actions. We will continue to work in OCEAN CITIZEN to make this essential ideas pillars of this project.

Several members of our consortium are attending this week the #EuropeanOceanDays, in Brussels. Each day features distinct sessions focused on various key #ocean-related themes. Moreover, this year’s edition is a key component of the preparation of the European Ocean Pact, a reference framework for all EU ocean-related policies. Stay tuned for updates! ?? #OceanForum? ? Our project coordinator, Sergio Rossi Heras?(Università del Salento) took part in a highly productive meeting on the first day, focused on the protection and restoration of #marine and freshwater ecosystems and biodiversity. #EUOceanDays #oceanliteracy #generationrestoration?Mission Ocean?CINEA - European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency?EU Science, Research and Innovation?European Economic and Social Committee?EU Environment and Climate?BlueMissionMed?BlueMissionAA? #OceanCitizen #MissionOcean #OceanDecade #HorizonEurope #GenerationRestoration #OceanScience #BlueEconomy #OceanLiteracy #2030Agenda #biodiversity #marinescience