The Mission Ocean and Waters community convened in Brussels on 5 March for the highly anticipated second Annual Mission Ocean and Waters Forum. The event served as a platform to reflect on the accomplishments of the past year and chart the course for the future in safeguarding Europe's waters.
With an impressive turnout of scientists, entrepreneurs, policy makers and other interested actors, the forum celebrated a year marked by an extraordinary mobilisation effort. During 2023 and the first months of 2024, projects, local authorities and relevant initiatives have joined forces to take on the challenge of protecting Europe’s ocean, seas and waters. At the event, a total of 339 attendees were present in person, with several hundred more tuning in online, providing the opportunity to hear from 27 inspiring and thought-provoking speakers.
Pascal Lamy, Chair of the Mission Board, Mission “Restore our Ocean & Waters” welcomed our growing community to the second Annual Forum.
The discussions at the Brussels Annual Forum were both enlightening and inspiring. Panel sessions and keynote addresses delved into successful collaboration models and shared innovative approaches for engaging local communities. From enlisting the help of local scuba diving enthusiasts in planting underwater flora to sparking the interest of school children, strategies for effective community involvement were at the forefront of the conversation.
Looking ahead, the next focus for Mission Ocean and Waters is on implementation. Attendees had the opportunity to experience first-hand the ground-breaking innovations developed by Mission Ocean-funded projects at an on-site exhibition, featuring 32 exhibitors from the Mission Ocean projects. These innovations spanned GPS tags capable of tracking lost fishing nets, to platforms harnessing micro-algae for water purification, to sensors that are monitoring heavy metals in water.
32 exhibitors from the Mission Ocean projects showcased their innovative solutions at the on-site exhibition
In the months to come, these innovations will continue pilot testing, with careful monitoring of their impact. The ultimate aim is to scale up deployment, addressing the pressing challenge of safeguarding Europe's waters. However, a unanimous consensus was clear amongst Forum participants – local buy-in is indispensable for our success.
Charlina Vitcheva, Director-General, DG Maritime Affairs and Fisheries outlined ways in which collaboration is being fostered.
Local engagement
A significant portion of the Forum's agenda was dedicated to emphasising the importance of local engagement and winning the support of communities. Recognising the concerns of those reliant on fishing for their livelihoods, as well as those who those who enjoy the sea for recreation, all attendees agreed that long-term solutions must safeguard these activities, that are part of our European way of life. Although it is evident to all advocates for marine conservation that current practices are unsustainable, there was unanimous consensus at the Forum that change should be pursued collaboratively with coastal communities, rather than imposed upon them.
Participants left with a real sense that the Mission has built a community of partners, joining together to serve the purpose of protecting Europe’s waters. As we move onto the next phase, optimism and a renewed resolve are fuelling determination to tackle the challenges ahead and ensure a brighter future for marine environments.
Matchmaking event and meeting MEPs
The day preceding the Forum saw a matchmaking event, bringing together Charter Actions and projects funded by Mission Ocean, as well as Foundations. This gathering facilitated fruitful interactions and collaborations, resulting in an enriched and fortified Mission community. Participants engaged in vibrant discussions, forging new partnerships and laying the groundwork for collaborative efforts.
Mission projects and Charter Actions representatives had the opportunity to meet several members of the European Parliament President Roberta Metsola conveyed a positive message of support to the Mission by the whole European Parliament. This occasion provided another valuable platform to engage with key decision-makers, discussing the Mission's objectives and to pursuing the path toward a Blue Green Deal.
The next steps for the Mission?
The next step for Mission Ocean marks an exciting expansion, with the projects set to increase from 40 to 66. These projects are diligently gearing up to implement their diverse and pioneering solutions, spanning water basins from the North Sea to the Mediterranean. The Mission is poised to go from strength to strength, evidenced by the high-level participants at the recent Forum and the recognition of political support at the highest institutional echelons. With this robust backing, Mission Ocean is set to deliver event greater impact in this next phase.
John Bell, Deputy Mission Manager and Director of Healthy Planet, DG Research and Innovation and Sadauskas Kestutis, Deputy Director General, DG Maritime Affairs and Fisheries provided the closing remarks.