The WestMED 2023 factsheet is out listing its major achievements.
Goals, priorities, governance, stories, number of projects supported and much more in one quick overview
Download your copy from the publications page
On 26 On January 2023, CINEA together with DG MARE, launched the ‘Community of Practice on Maritime Spatial Planning for the Mediterranean’, with the support of the WestMED Initiative, the MSP Assistance Mechanism and Union for Mediterranean.
This is a voluntary, enthusiastic group of experts from EU and non-EU countries working on MSP in the Mediterranean.
It was established based on a growing need from the MSP Community for a continuous and structured dialogue at sea basin and sub-sea basin level.
The main objective of this MED-MSP-CoP is to establish a permanent exchange between MSP practitioners across borders (i.e. planners, technical experts, researchers), to share knowledge and relevant experiences in the region, reach a shared perspective on MSP topics of common interest and enhance the cooperation between the north and the south shore of the Mediterranean.
In its first year, 3 workshops and 4 thematic webinars have been organised – mostly online. Participants indicated the added value of this platform and plans are underway to continue with these meetings in the years ahead.
If you want learn more and/ or join this Community of Practice, all information can be be found on the MED-MSP-COP webpage
Maritime industry leaders and enthusiasts gather in Marseille from 30 January to 1 February 2024, to discuss the latest developments in the maritime and river sectors at EUROMARITIME which has been both a showcase and a business accelerator since its creation in 2020.
The event serves as a vibrant forum for stakeholders to engage in discussions surrounding current issues, technical advancements, and political developments. EUROMARITIME provides a unique platform for economic, industrial, political, and institutional players to address the challenges and opportunities within maritime transport, shipbuilding, ship repair, port economics, and the future of maritime technologies with the end goal of developing a sustainable and low carbon Blue Economy.
It will also mark the launch of the first EurAfrican Maritime Forum (FoMEA), dedicated to promoting blue economy and maritime development in Africa and is therefore strongly linked to the activities of the WestMED Initiative on the Southern shore of the Mediterranean.
This event within an event, which will bring together African maritime players with projects, institutions, port authorities and shipping company managers, will take place on Thursday 1st February 2024.
Visit us for new maritime project ideas, collaborations, and initiatives
Fully aware of the growing importance of sustainable practices within the maritime industry and following the previous attendance from the WestMED French National Hub in 2020 and 2022 editions, the EU Sea Basins Assistance Mechanism – France (representing the WestMED Initiative and the Atlantic Action Plan) will be exhibitor at EUROMARITIME. With various maritime sectors transitioning towards sustainability, the European Commission has recognized the need for concerted efforts in fostering a safer, smarter, and more resilient blue economy.
Supporting and implementing strategic blue economy initiatives for the Atlantic, the Western Mediterranean, and the Black Sea, the EU Sea Basins Assistance Mechanism brings together maritime experts from all these sea basins. These experts offer practical support to SMEs, research institutions, policymakers, and academia, in the different steps to develop their blue sustainable projects, both in terms of accessing potential EU funding and finding project partners.
Workshop by the French national hub of the EU Sea Basins Assistance Mechanism | 30 January (14:00-17:00)
On 30 January (afternoon), the French national hub of EU Sea Basins Assistance Mechanism will organise a national event at the EuroMaritime. This will take the form of a dedicated workshop highlighting their activities with a focus on 2 main topics:
It will be also the opportunity to recall opportunities and discuss blue project ideas supporting the EU strategies for both seabasins.
Key Activities of the EU Sea Basins Assistance Mechanism:
As EUROMARITIME unfolds in Marseille, the convergence of maritime industry leaders and the presence of the EU Blue Economy Assistance Mechanism promise to spark new ideas, collaborations, and initiatives that will shape the future of the maritime industries.
For those eager to explore the forefront of maritime innovation and sustainability, visit the official EUROMARITIME website
Meet the EU Sea Basins Assistance Mechanism at the stand of Pole Mer Mediterranee (B06).
Follow us online for the latest information regarding planned exhibition activities:
X (Twitter): WestMED | Atlantic
LinkedIn: Atlantic
Newsletter: WestMED | Atlantic
You can also contact the Assitance Mechanism’s National Hub in France directly via france@westmed-initiative.ec.europa.eu | france@atlantic-maritime-strategy.ec.europa.eu
The new guide on financing opportunities for the Green Energy Transition of Fisheries and Aquaculture is out!
The guide is set to support the sectors through EU funding under the 2021-2027 financial framework and NextGenerationEU. The comprehensive guide aims to elucidate diverse funding options for the energy transition by targeting a broad audience, including enterprises, public administrations, research institutions, and civil society organisations. It distinguishes itself by offering a tailored approach, swiftly aiding stakeholders in identifying and assessing applicable EU funding sources. Covering areas like vessel innovation, energy-efficient gear, and aquaculture management, the guide complements existing European Commission tools and undergoes regular updates to incorporate newly identified funds.
All information can be found in the Energy Transition Partnership
This year marked the first edition of the Sun&Blue Congress; an international conference and exhibition focused on Blue Tourism Innovation. It took place in Almería, Spain from 15-17 November 2023.
Marta Pascual (WestMED National Hub Spain) has been very much involved in both the preparation of this event, as part of the Technical Committee, as well well as its execution. She organised and participated in multiple workshops to promote and facilitate the sustainable Blue Economy within the tourism sector.
The WestMED Iniatiative was given a special Award Mention for having helped on the Internationalization of the entire SUN&BLUE Congress. Also the ‘Maritime Tourism’project, supported by the WestMED Initiative was awarded with a special mention award for Sustainability
This conference provided an excellent platform to promote the WestMED Intiative within the tourism sector resulting in numerous requests for support. It also resulted in a major step forward regarding the creation of a National Marine Tourism Network and led to a first encounter with the city of CEUTA authorities as a basis for possible follow-up.
Here is an overview of the different WestMED Sun&Blue events:
Turismo Marinero (16 November 2023)
Within the framework of WestMED, and more specifically from its Spanish National Hub, work is done to establish a National Maritime Tourism Network. Its main objective is to promote sustainable maritime tourism and the diversification of fishing activity towards other activities that promote the economic development of coastal and marine areas when, for various reasons, they cannot carry out their fishing activity.
This network seeks to diversify fishing activities to promote authentic and environmentally friendly experiences. By doing so, it is intended to contribute to local economic development, the conservation of marine ecosystems and the promotion of fishing culture and tradition in the Western Mediterranean region. Hand in hand with this important initiative of the European Commission, we will learn about the importance of maritime tourism and all the development it is having at the European and national level.
This session served to present 3 examples of Spanish companies and/or initiatives around Maritime Tourism with Pablo Mariño (Bluscus); Shonia Cruz (La Mar Consultoras-LMC) and Inmaculada Torres (GALPEMUR). This to understand what they offer and what opportunities and barriers they have encountered when developing their activities.
WestMED Initiative presentation
This presentation kicked off with explaining to a large audience what the WestMED Initiative is, what the work areas are and the activities carried out so far. Also opportunities for collaboration and financing for blue economy were elaborated on.
After the presentation a number of participants approached Mrs. Pascual to inquire about support for their project ideas. The most concrete ones are currently being followed through to assess needs and possibilities.
Blue Breakfast session (17 November 2023)
This was an invitation only event attended by public and private organisations. After explaining the Initiative and funding opportunities, Mrs Pascual provided direct guidance on where to find funding for their work and future interests. It also led to some project ideas that are currently being reviewed for further support by the National Hub.
Reunión / Workshop: Presentación Proyecto de “Red Nacional de Turismo Marinero” (17 November 2023)
This private meeting/workshop brought together the main fishing political agents (MAPA), national fishing agents, local Fishing Action Groups (FLAGs), fishermen’s federations, fishermen’s guilds, fresh fish producer organizations, companies of marine tourism and foundations related to marine tourism. At the meeting, the idea/project of creating a National Marine Tourism Network, its vision, objectives, values, lines of action, activities, and governance proposals for said network were presented.
The meeting served as a starting point for the creation of this network and its subsequent presentation within the framework of the European WestMED Initiative as a good example and practice to potentially be replicated in other countries of the Western Mediterranean.
There will be a follow-up to create and launch of the Red Nacional Turismo Marinero in Spain, through bi-lateral discussions on each of the axes proposed for the network.
The meeting was exclusive for those in the field of marine tourism and required registration.
Exhibition stand
For the duration of the event, the WestMED exhibition stand drew many visitors to pick up a leaflet, watch the project video and inquire about possibilities.
Sun&Blue 2024
Next year’s event is already planned: 20-22 November 2024. Visit the Sun&Blue event website
Press coverage
This event has received a lot of press coverage like these articles in the national newspaper El Mundo and La Voz de Almería.
Or this video on the opening from Ayuntamiento de Almería:
EIB, EBRD, UfM, EC, AFD, CDP, KfW, donors and beneficiary countries sign cooperation agreement at COP28
At COP28, partners and donors involved in the Blue Mediterranean Partnership reinforced their support for developing the sustainable blue economy in the southern Mediterranean region. The parties involved signed a letter of intent to make their participation in the Partnership official and to make the Partnership operational in early 2024.
The Blue Mediterranean Partnership aims to tackle the threats the Mediterranean Sea faces by coordinating the financing of blue economy projects in the Mediterranean and Red Sea regions, focusing initially on Egypt, Jordan and Morocco.
Through a new multi-donor fund managed by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the Blue Mediterranean Partnership seeks to secure additional funding from sovereign donors for project preparation and blended finance. Today in Dubai, the European Commission announced a contribution of €1 million, the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) contributed SEK 75 million (€6.5 million), and the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) announced a €2 million contribution. In the coming months, Germany and Spain are also expected to announce donations, with additional donors to follow.
The European Investment Bank (EIB), AFD, Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW), Cassa Depositi e Prestiti (CDP) and the EBRD – will act as implementing financial institutions and cooperate to co-finance blue economy projects, which will benefit from the grants provided by the Partnership, mobilising also existing financial resources provided by the European Commission through the Neighbourhood Investment Platform and the European Fund for Sustainable Development Plus (EFSD+).
Lastly, the beneficiary countries (Egypt, Jordan and Morocco) will lead on identifying strategic blue economy projects in their territories, while the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) will act as facilitator of the political and regulatory dialogue.
Read the full article on the website of the EIB
The Call for workshops for the EMD 2024 in Svendborg Denmark, is now open!
The European Maritime Day (EMD) is the annual two-day event during which Europe’s maritime community meet to network, discuss and outline joint action on maritime affairs and sustainable blue economy.
Stakeholder workshops are at the core of the conference. Each workshop lasts 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Workshop organisers design and manage their own workshop.
For the EMD 2024, 18 high-quality workshops will be selected (with several workshops running in parallel).
All that is necessary is to fill in this form and submit your online application before 8 December 2023 at 17:00 CET.
The EMD is the place where ‘Ocean Leaders Meet’. It provides an engaging and completely interactive experience to catch up on the current state of play on a broad range of issues concerning the blue economy and the marine environment and to discuss ways of moving forward. It features a large number of inspirational speakers, thematic sessions, stakeholder workshops and pitch sessions organised by stakeholders and the European Commission. The EMD targets professionals from businesses, governments, public institutions, NGOs and academia as well as EU citizens interested in the sea.
European Maritime Day 2024 will take place in Svendborg, Denmark on 30 and 31 May 2024.
For more information, visit the EMD event website
Today, the Commission adopted its proposal for fishing opportunities for 2024 for the Mediterranean and the Black Seas. The proposal promotes the sustainable management of fish stocks in the Mediterranean and the Black Seas and delivers on the political commitments made in the MedFish4Ever and Sofia Declarations.
The Commission proposes to use the same tools that were introduced in the 2022 and 2023 fishing opportunities, based on the latest available scientific advice. These tools include fishing effort for trawlers and longliners as well as catch limits for deep-water shrimps. These measures were established under the Western Mediterranean multiannual management plan (MAP) for demersal stocks, with the aim of reaching by 1 January 2025 at the latest the maximum sustainable yield (MSY), i.e., the maximum amount of fish that fishers can take out of the sea without compromising the regeneration and future productivity of the stock.
Most fishing opportunities will be proposed at a later stage, based on the results of the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) annual session (6-10 November 2023) and the scientific advice for demersal stocks covered by the Western Mediterranean Multiannual Management Plan (MAP), which is expected towards the end of October.
In the Mediterranean Sea, the proposal keeps unchanged measures for red coral. For blackspot seabream and deep-water shrimps this year’s proposal continues a gradual reduction in catches for both species, in line with the newly agreed GFCM management plans from 2022. The proposal for common dolphinfish and other stocks with GFCM transitional measures that expire at the end of 2023 will be updated after the 2023 GFCM annual session.
Read the full press release on the EC website with additional information
This week, the European Commission and 20 EU and Mediterranean states renewed their commitments to deliver on their sustainability pledges made in the MedFish4Ever Declaration.
The 2017 MedFish4Ever Declaration has been a cornerstone in regional fisheries governance, catalysing action to build a regulatory framework for sustainable management and development.
Six years down the road, Mediterranean states met again in Malta to review progress and renew their commitment to live up to the promises of the Declaration, while looking into the future challenges that this region is facing in pursuing sustainable fisheries and aquaculture.
Special adviser to Commissioner for Environment, Fisheries and Maritime Affairs, Karmenu Vella, speaking on behalf of Commissioner Sinkevičius, set the tone:
“Halfway through the 10-year roadmap, we can say with confidence that MedFish4Ever has changed the way we manage our fisheries in the Mediterranean! Forever and for the better!”
The parties confirmed their renewed commitments to reinforce efforts in reaching these objectives:
Special adviser to Commissioner for Environment, Fisheries and Maritime Affairs, Karmenu Vella, speaking on behalf of Commissioner Sinkevičius, reiterated the commitment of the EU to the goals of MedFish4Ever Declaration:
“Today, the GFCM stands stronger than ever. We have built a robust framework with the 2030 Strategy and its action plan. Now we need to continue showing political will to fully implement our commitments.The EU’s commitment to deliver on MedFish4Ever and the GFCM 2030 Strategy remains unabated, now and for the future!
It is up to us to create a resilient future for our local communities, to restore and to protect the stocks and marine ecosystems, and to create a sustainable and a dignified working environment for generations to come – the future they all deserve.”
All these commitments will require additional resources, as well as keeping up the exemplary cooperation and partnership among all the countries and among all the stakeholders in the region.
The European Union, as main donor for the implementation of the MedFish4Ever Declaration, reconfirmed its financial support through the dedicated GFCM Grant of €8 million, calling upon new donors to join.
6 projects were awarded for their work:
Innovation in fishing technology category:
Innovative practices in aquaculture research category:
Innovative practices in the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing category:
Read the full press release on the EC website with additional information
Press release: Cátedra de Economía Azul,
On October 20, 2023, the presentation of the Blue Strategy Proposal of the Valencian Community took place, at The Ocean Race Museum in the Port of Alicante, organized by the Càtedra Interuniversitària d’Economia Blava-UA- UMH-Generalitat Valenciana.
The event has had the notable presence of numerous authorities, including the Hon. Mayor of Alicante, Luís Barcala; the Magnificent Rector of the University of Alicante, Amparo Navarro; the General Director of Economy, José Vicente Todolí; the General Director of Coasts, Ports and Airports, Vicente Martínez Mus; and the Autonomous Secretary of Innovation, Jerónimo Mora, among other distinguished positions.
At the opening of the event, the Hon. Mayor of Alicante shared his vision of the maritime vocation of the city and its port, highlighting them as essential elements of Alicante. Furthermore, he committed to collaborating with all sectors with the aim of promoting this maritime capital.
The Rector of the University of Alicante highlighted the preparation of the UA in areas such as marine sciences, biology, geography and tourism, among other degrees and postgraduate degrees. He highlighted the university’s commitment to the Chair of Blue Economy and its willingness to work together with the Public Administration to establish the research bodies necessary for the development of the Blue Economy in the Valencian Community, in collaboration with other universities, including the University Miguel Hernández (UMH).
Succesful blue strategies in the Mediterranean and the EU
Subsequently, Marta Pascual, head of the WestMed Spain Hub, urged the Valencian authorities to bet on the blue economy, in line with the projects and funds of the European Union. She highlighted that this is a crucial moment for the Valencian Community to develop a Blue Strategy, highlighting the successful results of blue strategies in the Mediterranean and the importance of the Valencian Community joining this dynamic.
For his part, the director of the Càtedra d’Economia Blava, Fernando de Rojas, emphasized that the Proposal presented is the first step towards a more detailed and specific strategy, being a basic document. This Strategy Proposal would place us one step away from the officialization of a Valencian Blue Strategy, from which we have grown so far. This document covers various sectors, such as nautical, fishing, aquaculture, coastal tourism, marine energy, blue biotechnology, ports, coasts, public works and maritime transport. De Rojas highlighted the current relevance of the Blue Economy in the Valencian Community and the importance of working on a transversal strategy that involves all sectors, putting the region at the same level as other autonomous communities and Europe. Furthermore, he expressed the commitment of universities to be centers of research, promotion and dialogue with the companies and sectors involved, making themselves available to the Generalitat Valenciana for this joint effort.
Valencian Blue economy webportal
In the context of this event, the launch of a comprehensive web portal dedicated to the blue economy of the Valencian Community was announced. This portal, which will be available soon, will serve as a central platform to explore and gain insight into the blue economy sector in the region.
Representatives of civil society were also present at the event, including the president of the Chamber of Commerce and various associations of sectors involved such as ANEN, UEN, National Federation of Fishermen’s Guilds, ACNCV, APROMAR, ATEIA-OLTRA Alicante and the Association of Containers Port Alicante. Likewise, there was a notable presence from the academic sector and key companies in areas such as maritime public works, maritime transport, customs, as well as the Business Confederation of the Valencian Community (CEV), represented by its secretary, Ana Gosálvez.
Finally, the significant weight of maritime transport in the Valencian Community and the driving companies in the sector, such as Balearia, JSV, Boluda, among others, were highlighted, emphasizing the importance of taking advantage of this vital impulse not only for the region, but also for all Europe.