Success stories

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.

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.

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).

Oil spills pose a severe threat to marine ecosystems and industries that depend on clean water. Inobiostar, a Lithuanian spin-off from Klaipeda University, is addressing this challenge through innovative biotechnological solutions.

Biharugrai Halgazdaság, located in Hungary’s Southern Great Plains, has revitalised its historic fishpond system with European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) investments. As Hungary’s second-largest fishpond system operator, the company combines ecological sustainability with economic growth.

Tackling the skills and labour gaps to improve people’s careers and economic competitiveness is one of the top priorities of the European Union.

RanMarine, a Dutch startup, offers innovative solutions to fight water pollution. It has developed autonomous water-cleaning devices that not only effectively remove plastic waste but also address other major environmental challenges such as oil pollution and harmful algae blooms.

Lambousa is a vessel like no other: it provides a glimpse into the rich nautical past of Cyprus. Once an old wooden fishing trawler, it has been restored and transformed into a floating museum thanks to EU funding. The old trawler is now a showcase of the fishing heritage, culture and traditions of

Porto-Muiños, a family-owned aquaculture producer in Galicia with 25 years of experience in the industry, used EU support to develop a new aquaculture facility, where they use their business’ staple algae products to cultivate sea urchin for restocking local waters.