Key outcomes from 2nd EU Blue Parks Community workshop

The 2nd EU Blue Parks Community workshop on 7 March 2024 in Brussels was a landmark event, showcasing pivotal steps in marine protection across Europe. It offered a stage for discussing the management of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), sharing best practices, and revealing insights into the EU's evolving policy landscape. Read here for more detailed workshop outcomes, directions and presentation slides.  

This gathering, aligning with the European Ocean Days, drew diverse participants – from policymakers to practitioners, emphasising the collective push towards the EU's 2030 marine protection and management targets. The commitment was clear: To not just designate, but to manage, conserve and restore marine areas effectively, to support biodiversity and communities alike.  

A key focus was understanding local contexts and bringing together diverse stakeholders. Participants recognized the necessity of robust governance, local community involvement, and data-driven approaches for successful MPAs. Innovative methods and experiences shared here are sowing seeds of optimism – effective management can yield rich ecological and social returns.  

The discussion went beyond protection, delving into the restoration of marine habitats. Nature-based solutions, along with innovative artificial and hybrid techniques, are proving effective in reviving degraded marine ecosystems. One striking realisation was the commonality in challenges and solutions across diverse European ecosystems, from the Baltic to the Mediterranean. This is what makes the EU Blue Parks Community such a potent hub for sharing, learning, and adapting practices that can be applied across varied marine environments.  

For more in-depth insights, explore the summary report of the workshop. And there’s more to come – the EU Blue Parks Community will continue fostering partnerships and knowledge exchange in marine protection and restoration. Stay tuned for announcements on our next workshop on the Mission Portal. 

Join the EU Blue Parks Community today to be part of this crucial mission here. As a member, you'll have access to our technical helpdesk and FAQ page, offering both inspiration and practical solutions.