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Get to know the Mission Ocean Basins and Lighthouses

Mission Ocean Basin

To tackle environmental challenges in Europe, Mission Ocean works through four sea and river basins: Atlantic-Arctic, Mediterranean Sea, Baltic-North Sea, and Danube River basin. Each of the basins addresses challenges specific to its region and supports Mission Ocean objectives. 

The four sea and river basins have been selected to address specific Mission Ocean objectives through Coordination and Support Actions (CSAs). The CSAs leading the basins ensure smooth cooperation between Mission Ocean projects and foster an environment for knowledge sharing. Here is an overview of each of the basin’s objectives and the projects working to achieve them. 

BlueMissionAA is working to protect and restore marine and freshwaters ecosystems in the Atlantic and Arctic basin. More specifically, the basin aims to: 

  • Protect a minimum of 30% of the EU’s Sea area and integrate ecological corridors. 
  • Strictly protect at least 10% of the EU’s Sea area. 
  • Contribute to relevant upcoming marine nature restoration targets. 

BlueMissionBANOS is coordinating the Baltic and North Sea basin, which aims to make the blue economy carbon-neutral and circular. In more detail, to: 

  • Eliminate greenhouse gas emissions from maritime economic activities in the EU and sequester those emissions that cannot be avoided. 
  • Develop zero-carbon and low-impact aquaculture, and promote circular, low carbon multi-purpose use of marine and water space. 

BlueMissionMED, coordinating the Mediterranean Sea basin works to prevent and eliminate pollution by: 

  • Decreasing microplastics released into the environment by at least 30%. 
  • Reducing plastic litter at sea by at least 50%. 
  • Reducing nutrient losses, chemical pesticide use, and associated risks by at least 50%.  

EcoDaLLi is coordinating the Danube River basin, which aims to protect and restore biodiversity to: 

  • Restore at least 25,000 km of free-flowing rivers in Europe. 
  • Contribute to nature restoration targets. 

The CSAs are working with local authorities, communities and stakeholders to support innovation in our mission to protect and restore our ocean and waters. Learn more about each basin and its goals here.