Success stories

In the heart of the Bay of Biscay, where the azure waters meet the Spanish Basque Country, the BLUENET project set sail to tackle lost fishing gear, upcycling the ominous 'ghost-nets'.

The Bulgarian-based startup 13 Mari develops innovative drag reduction solutions for improved fuel efficiency and cleaner waters.  The company received coaching through the EU BlueInvest Readiness Assistance Programme and was able to secure more than USD 500,000 in funding.

The growth of the European recreational boating sector and maritime tourism has spurred the demand for sustainability and innovation. This is where the Austrian-based startup Seasy comes in.

As the ancient Nautilus Shell - symbol of renewal, evolution, and growth - the EU-funded Nautilus project developed an innovative training methodology for instructors of water sports tourism.

The Fisheries Tourism Network is an online platform that offers tourists unique opportunities to visit and learn more about the cultural heritage of fisheries areas in Romania.

Have you ever wondered what whales and dolphins hear in the depths of the ocean? Does it change with the seasons? These are just some of the questions behind an EU-funded underwater noise study led by Marine Scotland Science off the west coast of Scotland.

Sinay is a French start-up specialised in maritime data solutions. It transforms complex maritime data into easily understandable indicators that maritime stakeholders can use to address environmental challenges and optimise operations at sea. 

At the foot of the Rhodope Montains, in Bulgaria, an aquaculture family business had to cope with its fish getting eaten away by cunning birds. But in this Natura 2000 Protected Area, fighting back and attacking the birds was out of question – on account of the bird killing ban put in place

Much to the fishers’ dismay, cod populations in the Baltic Sea have been decreasing since the 1990s. The reasons are many, including habitat degradation. The same decade also saw the start of a potential solution to habitat loss.