At the heart of Europe's efforts to restore and preserve our waters, lies the progress made by Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). During the 2nd Annual Forum of the ‘Mission Restore our Ocean and Waters’, held in Brussels on 5 March 2024, two deserving winners were honoured for their dedication and achievements in marine conservation: Côte Agathoise (France) and Torre Guaceto (Italy).
Côte Agathoise, nestled along the French coast, and Torre Guaceto, a pristine reserve in Italy, stood out among the contenders for their exemplary efforts in marine protection. Both MPAs were lauded for their commitment to sustainable management practices, innovative solutions and active community engagement.
The accolades were presented by Kestutis Sadauskas and John Bell, representatives from the European Commission, who commended the exceptional achievements of the two winners. Côte Agathoise stood out for its comprehensive approach to MPA management, highlighting the local political commitment, innovative technical solutions and collaborative efforts with maritime stakeholders. Managed by the town of Agde, under the authority of the Préfecture Maritime de la Méditerranée and the Préfecture de l'Hérault, the MPA has been a beacon of effective governance and environmental stewardship.
Similarly, Torre Guaceto's win was hailed as a testament to 20 years of dedicated work in marine conservation. The reserve's innovative approach to management, involving the Reserve Management Consortium and active stakeholder engagement, garnered praise from the European Commission representatives.
The significance of these awards extends beyond mere recognition; the two wins symbolise a collective commitment to safeguarding our marine ecosystems for future generations. Michele Emiliano, President of the Apulia Region, hailed Torre Guaceto's achievement as a testament to the region's dedication to environmental protection and innovation.
As Europe's coastal communities strive to address the challenges of marine conservation, the achievements of Côte Agathoise and Torre Guaceto serve as inspiring examples of effective management and dedication. These awards reaffirm the importance of collaboration, innovation, and community engagement in achieving our shared goals of restoring and preserving our ocean and waters.