In a collaborative effort to foster a sustainable, modern, and competitive blue economy in the Black Sea region, the Black Sea Common Maritime Agenda Stakeholder Conference 2023 took place in Bucharest on 22-23 November. Organised under the auspices of the CMA Romanian coordination, alongside the Black Sea Assistance Mechanism and the European Commission, the event drew active participation from about 200 stakeholders.

On 13 December, the CMA Steering Group met to take stock of progress and discuss the next steps in implementing the initiative. Check out the full article to discover all the topics discussed.

Bulgaria hosted in Varna their 2nd National event of the year, "Blue Skills for the Future - Challenges, Career Opportunities and Prospects in the Blue Economy," known as Blue Careers Day. The event operated as a “marketplace” for skills development, career orientation, sharing of success stories, and meetings with professionals in traditional and emerging sectors of the blue economy.

This recently launched platform serves as a centralised information hub for Smart Specialisation Strategies (S3s) throughout the European Union. Users can easily filter and compare S3 priorities of EU regions and Member States, accessing contact details and links to the respective strategies in an intuitive manner. Check it out!

The Atlantic Project Awards spotlight exceptional initiatives, successful collaborations, and accomplishments aligned with the implementation of the Atlantic Action Plan 2.0. Stay tuned for the unveiling of the Black Sea projects that got awarded at the 2023 edition of the CMA stakeholder conference in the next number of our newsletter.

The European Maritime Day (EMD) is an annual two-day event where the maritime community of Europe gathers to network, discuss, and collaborate on maritime affairs and sustainable blue economy initiatives. Next year, the event will take place in Svendborg, Denmark on 30-31 May 2024.

The European Maritime Day (EMD) 2024 is taking place again as a fully-fledged physical event, in Svendborg, Denmark on 30-31 May 2024. As every year, this will not be the only action to celebrate our seas and oceans and the sustainable blue economy. EMD In My Country 2024 events will also take place all over Europe from 1 April until 31 October 2024. Submit your application! Deadline: 29 February 2024.

The inaugural Symposium of the Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership will bring together experts and professionals for a major European event focused on promoting a sustainable blue economy. It will address the objectives of projects funded under the first Joint Transnational Call and set out priorities for the next call. Participants will hear from leading figures in science, policy, and business during panel discussions, offering new insights and opportunities to expand professional connections.

The GFCM Forum on Fisheries Science in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea (Fish Forum) is a key event where scientists gather to discuss fisheries and related issues in the area. Its main aim is to encourage conversations and teamwork among researchers and policymakers to provide scientific advice. The forum covers different aspects such as oceanography, social sciences, and economics in fisheries research.

The European Commission is pleased to invite you to the European Ocean Days! European Ocean Days will be a week of events from March 4th to March 8th, 2024, on European marine topics. Various events are foreseen, including: Matchmaking event for Mission actions and projects – Monday 4 March (upon invitation only), Mission Restore our Ocean & Waters Forum – Tuesday 5 March, What’s next for Europe’s Seas? – Wednesday 6 March, BlueInvest Day – Thursday 7 March, Ocean Literacy in Action – Friday 8 March. You can find more information, as well as register for the event.

BlueInvest Day has been the cornerstone event for the European Union's blue economy since its inception in 2018. As it gears up for the seventh, hybrid edition in 2024, BlueInvest invites you to be a part of this unparalleled gathering of visionaries, entrepreneurs, and investors committed to fostering innovation and sustainability in the EU Blue Economy, taking place at the occasion of the European Ocean Days.

Read the full fact sheet with the most important facts and figures about the Common Maritime Agenda for the Black Sea.

The 2023 special edition of the GFCM's flagship publication, "The State of Mediterranean and Black Sea Fisheries," provides updated statistics and information on the status and management of fisheries and aquaculture in the region.

This comprehensive guide serves as a valuable resource to map the diverse funding options available to support the energy transition of EU fisheries and aquaculture. It caters to a wide range of stakeholders, including small and large-sized enterprises, public administrations, research institutions, and civil society organisations seeking EU funding for their energy transition projects.

This research is based on an extensive examination of existing literature, a survey, and in-depth interviews to explore the potential of 10 microalgae and macroalgae production systems in meeting animal feed needs in the EU. It provides a comprehensive overview of the current understanding regarding biomass, nutritional yields, costs, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.