Success stories

Each year, billions of disposable hygiene products, mostly made from plastics, lead to significant environmental waste, taking hundreds of years to break down and spreading harmful microplastics.

For decades the rayed pearl oyster (Pinctada imbricata radiata) has quietly thrived beneath the Mediterranean waves. Yet, despite its abundance, this oyster remained absent from markets in Greece—not due to a lack of quality, but because Greek law didn’t officially recognise it as a commercial speci

Understanding fish populations is critical to managing Europe’s marine resources sustainably. Yet, for years, stock assessment scientists have struggled with a missing piece of the puzzle: genetic data of fish populations.

Thanks to EU support, the Swedish start-up company KOASTAL is testing an innovative business model for large scale sustainable sugar kelp cultivation on the west coast of Sweden. The idea is to create a franchise concept where small-scale players, including fishers, will be assisted with everything

As the climate crisis worsens, the ocean is both at risk and a source for solutions. Indico Capital Partners, a venture capital firm from Lisbon, is championing ocean-based innovation and develops it on a global scale.

Algae may be small, but their potential is huge. From sustainable food to marine restoration and bioplastics, algae offer innovative solutions that benefit both people and planet.

Dutch company SeaQurrent uses the steady power of tides for sustainable energy. Their TidalKite System works underwater, moving in figure eights like a flying kite, to capture energy.

Around 550,000 tonnes of fishing gear have accumulated in the European Economic Area, with 12,000 tonnes added annually. The Fishing Without Plastic (PE.S.PLA) project aimed to combat this by developing biodegradable materials for artisanal fishing gear, reducing environmental impact.

Blue Career Centre for Aquaculture Education supported by a gamification approach and distance learning platform. The BlueAquaEdu project kicked off in September 2023 as one of the blue careers project supported by the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF).