The conference took place from 21-22 May in Limassol’s historic old town at the Carob Mill, bringing together policymakers, researchers, businesses, public institutions, NGOs, and blue economy actors from across Europe. Through inspiring plenaries, hands-on workshops, interactive exhibitions, and lively networking moments, participants explored the future of maritime Europe — all united by a shared ambition to accelerate a more sustainable, innovative, and resilient blue economy.
Right in the middle: The MPA Community Network brought together PHAROS, Blue4All, BLUE CONNECT, BioProtect, MSP4BIO and the EFFECTIVE project at a shared booth to showcase project solutions and excite the maritime community about science-based and collaborative ocean conservation. The booth offered visitors a glimpse into how science-based tools, collaborative approaches and EU-funded project results can support more effective Marine Protected Area planning and management. It also introduced the MPA-CN as a growing space for connecting MPA-related projects, managers, stakeholders and conservation experts across Europe and beyond, helping to share knowledge, reduce fragmentation and strengthen cooperation across the marine conservation community.
Visitors explored the MPA Solutions Hub demo, learning how managers can access practical tools for Marine Protected Area planning, governance, funding, and stakeholder engagement. They also experienced an immersive PHAROS virtual reality dive into the Gran Canaria demo site, featuring artificial reefs and underwater restoration. Through BioProtect’s work, they discovered ecosystem-based MSP and participatory mapping.
MSP4BIO highlighted outputs on integrating ecological and socio-economic criteria into marine spatial planning processes, while BLUE CONNECT showcased restoration and engagement stories, including seagrass recovery in Spain, oyster reef restoration in Belgium, and ocean literacy and co-management tools designed to better connect communities with MPA action. Together, these activities showed how Europe’s marine
What We Brought to the Table
Visitors explored the MPA Solutions Hub demo, learning how managers can access practical tools for Marine Protected Area planning, governance, funding, and stakeholder engagement. They also experienced an immersive PHAROS virtual reality dive into the Gran Canaria demo site, featuring artificial reefs and underwater restoration. Through BioProtect’s work, they discovered ecosystem-based MSP and participatory mapping.
MSP4BIO highlighted outputs on integrating ecological and socio-economic criteria into marine spatial planning processes, while BLUE CONNECT showcased restoration and engagement stories, including seagrass recovery in Spain, oyster reef restoration in Belgium, and ocean literacy and co-management tools designed to better connect communities with MPA action. Together, these activities showed how Europe’s conservation projects are turning planning frameworks into practical, inclusive and visible action for healthier seas.
From Conversation to Conservation
Beyond the demonstrations, the booth created space for valuable conversations with policymakers, MPA managers, researchers, educators and stakeholder representatives. For the MPA Community Network, the event was an important opportunity to listen, connect and identify new ways to support collaboration across Europe’s MPA community. We returned home with our luggage full of inspiring ideas, valuable new connections, and renewed opportunities to strengthen the community, build on our shared efforts, and bring the MPA community across Europe and beyond closer together.
