Close
Enter your
text here

Canary Islands Living Labs Mega Event Report

PHAROS Living Labs: MarCoLab Gran Canaria and MarCoLab Lanzarote organised the first PHAROS Mega Event, an engaging three-day event held from 29 to 31 January 2026.

Members of the Atlantic and Arctic Lighthouse community came together to promote marine restoration, ocean literacy and the blue economy in the Canary Islands.

Gran Canaria Living Lab Event

Working Together for Ocean Health!

The Canary Islands Living Labs Mega Event brought together government representatives, researchers, innovators, educational institutions, businesses, investors and local communities, and marked the launch of the two Living Lab communities: MarCoLab Gran Canaria and MarCoLab Lanzarote. Together, participants worked collaboratively to address marine ecosystem restoration challenges and contribute to a healthier ocean.

What is MarCoLab?

Mar-Co-Lab is a blue economy innovation space whose name sums up its mission: Mar as the ocean, Co as collaboration, cooperation and co-creation, and Lab as a living lab; the word Marco within its name explicitly refers to a framework, a shared structure where, through the quadruple helix, innovation and awareness around nature-based solutions are fostered to balance the economy and environmental protection.

THREE-DAY PROGRAMME SHORT REPORT

Thursday, January 29, 2026

The Mega Event began with a focus on marine waste, featuring a panel of experts in the blue economy and waste recycling. PHAROS organised the 3rd Litter Entrepreneurs Seminar/Webinar series, this time at the Clúster Marítimo de Canarias. The seminar, titled From Waste to Worth (in Spanish), explored the valuation process of ocean waste. Later, participants visited the port and learned more about Fisher Guardians. The programme also launched recycling bins for fishers’ plastic waste at San Cristóbal port, promoting more sustainable fishing practices.

Friday, January 30, 2026

The focus of the day was on learning and developing skills through hands-on activities, such as a workshop sharing useful tips and best practices from other Living Labs in achieving Mission Ocean and broader sustainability goals. MPA Managers held a workshop on key digital tools to support their work, as well as another session for those responsible for managing protected sea areas. Both sessions took place at the Canary Islands Marine Research Centre, Clúster Marítimo de Canarias in Las Palmas. At Plataforma Oceánica de Canarias (PLOCAN) in Telde, Gran Canaria, educators shared experiences from Blue Schools and supported both new and experienced schools in enhancing ocean literacy. The Round Table on Permitting engaged attendees in addressing research challenges, while academics and universities were invited to explore how MINKA was creating opportunities to collaborate with citizens in their research.

Saturday, January 31, 2026

The final day of the programme offered participants the chance to become citizen marine scientists at the BioBlitz. Qualified divers helped collect biodiversity data at one of three dive sites in Gran Canaria or at Museo Atlántico in Lanzarote. Participants also received guidance on using the MINKA app, shared their findings, and actively took part as citizen scientists.

WORKSHOPS, SEMINARS, ROUNDTABLE REPORTS

Litter Entrepreneurs Webinar “From Waste to Worth”

Thursday (29.01.2026): This in-person seminar introduced best practices for becoming ocean entrepreneurs. Participants learned how to transform plastic litter into sustainable businesses through innovative solutions, training, and tools for circular economy ventures.

LEARN MORE

Best Practices in Living Labs Workshop

Friday (30.01.2026): This interactive training workshop empowered stakeholders to co-develop marine biodiversity solutions. It shared effective engagement methods, citizen participation strategies, and governance approaches for the implementation of Living Labs.

LEARN MORE

FISHER GUARDIANS: Launch of Recycling Containers With Fishers

Thursday (29.01.2026): Fisher Guardians engaged fishers as ocean protectors through the use of port-side recycling containers for old or unused fishing nets. The initiative promoted the circular economy, reduced marine litter and pollution, and demonstrated how the fishing industry could contribute to protecting the sea.

LEARN MORE

ROUND TABLE: Permitting Challenges & Opportunities for Academia and Collaborative Projects

Friday (30.01.2026): The round table brought together key stakeholders, including local authorities, marine spatial planners, regulators, academic institutions, and project teams, who discussed R&I permitting barriers and explored possible collaborative solutions.

LEARN MORE

MPA Managers – Overcoming Challenges Workshop

Friday (30.01.2026): The session focused on the co-creation and further development of the Blueprint Platform, a collection of tools designed to support MPA managers that are being developed under the Blue4All Project and will be further enhanced by PHAROS. 

LEARN MORE

Blue Schools Seminar

Friday (30.01.2026): This seminar was organised for teachers and educators to share their experiences as Blue Schools. Teachers from the Canary Islands celebrated their achievements and planned the future expansion of the Blue School Network across the Atlantic and Arctic basins. Blue Schools promoted ocean literacy and citizen science engagement, empowering the younger generation to pursue careers in the sustainable blue economy.

LEARN MORE

MINKA Information Session for Academia

Friday (30.01.2026): The MINKA Citizen platform hosted an information session to demonstrate how citizen science data could strengthen academic research and support evidence-based ecosystem management for public administrations and policy-makers.

The session outlined data collection tools and methods, and explored various collaboration opportunities for universities and research groups through networking. It also highlighted real success stories showing how MINKA had already contributed to academic and management projects.

LEARN MORE

Citizen Science Marine BioBlitz Report (Saturday January 31, 2026, 09:00-13:00)

Citizens of Gran Canaria and Lanzarote became scientists for the day, collecting photographs of coastal plants and animals and learning how to upload them to MINKA so they could be used by marine researchers.

1. EL CABRON, Gran Canaria

Shoreline walk to photograph algae and other coastal benthonic communities

LEARN MORE

2. Biotopo de Arguineguín, Gran Canaria

Shoreline walk to photograph algae and other coastal benthonic communities

LEARN MORE

3. Parque de la Atlántida (Mogán), Gran Canaria

Shoreline walk to photograph algae and other coastal benthonic communities

LEARN MORE

4. Museo Atlántico, Lanzarote (replication site)

Shoreline walk to photograph algae and other coastal benthonic communities.

LEARN MORE
AGENDA (ARCHIVE)

GRAN CANARIA LIVING LAB THREE-DAY PROGRAMME (ARCHIVE)

Thu, 29.01.2026

Day 1

TimeActivityLocation / Notes
13:00 – 14:00Arrival at venue / Registration / Coffee
14:30 – 16:00Litter Entrepreneurs: 3rd Webinar – From Waste to WorthCMC
16:00FISHER GUARDIANS – Launch of recycling containers with fishers (Gravity Wave)San Cristóbal (Outdoor)

Fri, 30.01.2026

Day 2

TimeActivityLocation / Notes
08:30 – 09:00Arrival at venue / Registration / Coffee—
09:00 – 09:30Gran Canaria Living Lab Opening Ceremony—
09:30 – 11:00PHAROS MPA Managers WorkshopCMC
09:30 – 11:30Best Practices in Living Labs Workshop CMC
10:00 – 11:00Blue Schools SeminarPLOCAN
11:00 – 11:30Coffee Break—
11:30 – 13:30PHAROS MPA Managers Workshop (continued)CMC
12:00 – 13:00Round Table: Permitting Academia / ProjectsPLOCAN
13:30 – 14:30Lunch—
14:30 – 16:00MINKA Info Session, Academia Experts for Species Identification—

Sat, 31.01.2026 (PLOCAN)

DIVING SITE 1: PLOCAN

TimeActivityLocation / Notes
08:30 – 09:00Orientation & participant sign-inPLOCAN (Register on arrival)
09:00 – 10:00Dive briefing, meet-up & welcome; bus transfer to site; safety introductionMeeting point → transfer to diving site
10:00 – 13:00Diving Site 1 (El Cabrón) – Shoreline walk & photographing algae and coastal bentonic communitiesField activity at chosen site
13:00 – 14:00Lunch + Minka training & photo uploadOn-site / Workshop space

Sat, 31.01 (Arguineguín)

DIVING SITE 2: Biotopo de Arguineguín

TimeActivityLocation / Notes
08:30 – 09:00Orientation & participant sign-inWelcome / Safety introduction
09:00 – 10:00Dive briefing, meet-up & welcome; Bus transfer to site; Safety introductionMeeting point → Transfer to diving site
10:00 – 13:00Diving Site 2 (Biotopo de Arguineguín)Shoreline walk to photograph algae and coastal benthic communities
13:00 – 14:00Lunch + Minka training & Photo uploadOn-site / Workshop space

Sat, 31.01 (Mogán)

DIVING SITE 3: Parque de la Atlántida (Mogán)

TimeActivityLocation / Notes
08:30 – 09:00Orientation & participant sign-inWelcome / Safety introduction
09:00 – 10:00Dive briefing, meet-up & welcome; Bus transfer to site; Safety introductionMeeting point → Transfer to diving site
10:00 – 13:00Diving Site 3 (Parque de la Atlántida, Mogán)Shoreline walk to photograph algae and coastal benthic communities
13:00 – 14:00Lunch + Minka training & Photo uploadOn-site / Workshop space

Sat, 31.01 (Lanzarote)

DIVING SITE 4: Museo Atlántico, Lanzarote

TimeActivityLocation / Notes
08:30 – 09:00Orientation & participant sign-inWelcome / Safety introduction
09:00 – 10:00Dive briefing, meet-up & welcome; Bus transfer to site; Safety introductionMeeting point → Transfer to diving site
10:00 – 13:00Diving Site 4 (Museo Atlántico, Lanzarote, replication site)Shoreline walk to photograph algae and coastal benthic communities
13:00 – 14:00Lunch + Minka training & Photo uploadOn-site / Workshop space
VIEW AGENDA
Islands Forge Path to Healthier Seas: Canary Islands Living Lab Launch and the PHAROS Mega Event
 Islands Forge Path to Healthier Seas: Canary Islands Living Lab Launch and the PHAROS Mega Event 1024 681 PHAROS Project

LAS PALMAS, Gran Canaria – For three days at the end of January 2026 (28-31), the Canary Islands became the focal point for a concerted effort to rethink how we protect and restore marine environments. The first PHAROS Mega Event, hosted by the MarCoLab initiatives on Gran Canaria and Lanzarote, brought together a broad cross section…

The Heartbeat of the Ocean: How a Canarian School Turned a Musical Dream into a Blue Revolution
 The Heartbeat of the Ocean: How a Canarian School Turned a Musical Dream into a Blue Revolution 1024 575 PHAROS Project

January 30, 2026, Las Palmas, Gran Canaria: A public school in Gran Canaria has earned a recognition through PHAROS project after turning a teacher’s offhand comment into a full-scale musical about ocean conservation. “The Heartbeat of the Ocean,” written and performed by students at the CEIP Maestro Félix Santana, has shown how arts education can…

MPA Managers Forge Path Forward at Landmark Atlantic-Arctic Workshop
 MPA Managers Forge Path Forward at Landmark Atlantic-Arctic Workshop 1024 768 PHAROS Project

Marine Protected Area (MPA) practitioners from across the Atlantic and Arctic regions gathered on 29th January 2026 in Gran Canaria to tackle the sector’s most persistent challenges, from governance fragmentation to critical funding shortages. The workshop, held with both onsite and online participation, served as a collaborative forum to share solutions and directly shape the…

Citizens Become Scientists in Canary Islands “BioBlitz”
 Citizens Become Scientists in Canary Islands “BioBlitz” 1024 768 PHAROS Project

On 31 January 2026, families, snorkellers, and divers came with a purpose to document what lives in the water during the BioBlitz day.

Marine BioBlitz Day at the Museo Atlántico, Lanzarote
 Marine BioBlitz Day at the Museo Atlántico, Lanzarote 640 356 PHAROS Project

Beneath Lanzarote’s waters, 300 sculptures have transformed into living reefs. Citizen scientists reveal how art accelerates ocean restoration.

Best Practices in Living Labs Report
 Best Practices in Living Labs Report 1024 594 PHAROS Project

The first “Best Practices in Living Labs Implementation” workshop, organised at the Clúster Marítimo de Canarias on January 30, 2026, and forming part of the PHAROS Project series, brought together a consortium of European projects.

Spanish media reported on Fisher Guardian initiative
 Spanish media reported on Fisher Guardian initiative 1000 563 PHAROS Project

A circular economy initiative focused on recycling end-of-life fishing gear has been launched in San Cristóbal, Gran Canaria. The project, named “Fisher Guardians,” is driven by a collaboration between the Oceanic Platform of the Canary Islands (PLOCAN), the company Gravity Wave, and the local San Cristóbal Fishing Cooperative (Pescatobal). It operates under the broader European-funded…

Marine BioBlitz Day at El Cabrón Marine Reserve
 Marine BioBlitz Day at El Cabrón Marine Reserve 940 430 PHAROS Project

Gran Canaria’s El Cabrón Marine Reserve hosts 400+ species. PHAROS scientists use this natural reef as the gold standard for artificial reefs.

How PHAROS Project Turns Gran Canaria Fishing Nets Into Value Products
 How PHAROS Project Turns Gran Canaria Fishing Nets Into Value Products 1024 768 PHAROS Project

SAN CRISTÓBAL, Gran Canaria. On 29 January 2026, local fishermen gathered to discuss what happens to their nets when the fishing is done.

Citizen Science Marine Day at the Biotopo de Arguineguín
 Citizen Science Marine Day at the Biotopo de Arguineguín 1024 576 PHAROS Project

Since 1991, Gran Canaria’s Biotopo de Arguineguín transformed barren seabed into thriving reef. PHAROS scientists reveal what 34 years teaches us.

Sunken Civilisation and Living Reefs: Parque de la Atlántida
 Sunken Civilisation and Living Reefs: Parque de la Atlántida 300 300 PHAROS Project

Gran Canaria’s underwater park proves artificial reefs work. PHAROS citizen scientists document how concrete ruins became thriving ecosystems.

What Happened at The Blue Schools Seminar at PLOCAN
 What Happened at The Blue Schools Seminar at PLOCAN 1024 768 PHAROS Project

The Canary Network of Blue Schools was presented as a permanent space for partnerships and ocean literacy in Gran Canaria classrooms.

Webinar, From Waste to Value: (Micro)Plastics Reduction & Turning Plastic Into Value
 Webinar, From Waste to Value: (Micro)Plastics Reduction & Turning Plastic Into Value 1024 576 PHAROS Project

The PHAROS Project hosted its third Oceanpreneur webinar on 29 January 2026 with Impact Hub Athens, CMC and ICoRSA.

MarCoLab Officially Launched: We can transform the coast of the Canary Islands
 MarCoLab Officially Launched: We can transform the coast of the Canary Islands 1024 768 PHAROS Project

Government officials, scientists, and industry leaders gathered at the Canary Islands Maritime Cluster (CMC) to inaugurate MarCoLab, a new “Living Lab” for the PHAROS project, with a simple yet powerful message: protecting the sea is no longer a task that can be left to experts alone. The press conference (on January 30, 2026) marked the official…

From the classroom to the ocean: Integrating the sea into Gran Canaria’s school curriculum
 From the classroom to the ocean: Integrating the sea into Gran Canaria’s school curriculum 1000 563 PHAROS Project

The Oceanic Platform of the Canary Islands (PLOCAN) has driven the launch and consolidation of the Canary Network of Blue Schools, a strategic initiative to strengthen ocean literacy in Gran Canaria’s classrooms. The network aims to connect educational centres with scientific and maritime entities, facilitating access to pedagogical resources, practical experiences and new funding opportunities.…

A Round Table on Permitting Challenges & Opportunities for Academia and Collaboration
 A Round Table on Permitting Challenges & Opportunities for Academia and Collaboration 1024 577 PHAROS Project

The Blue Economy is strategically vital for European economic development and resilience. Climate adaptation is more urgent rather than merely important.

MINKA Session: From Citizen Observations to Publishable Research and Actionable Evidence
 MINKA Session: From Citizen Observations to Publishable Research and Actionable Evidence 1024 455 PHAROS Project

Discover MINKA’s citizen-generated data strengthen academic research and support evidence-based ecosystem management for public administrations & policy-makers.

About the Organiser: PHAROS Project Consortium

The PHAROS Consortium consists of 24 scientific and research institutions from Spain, Portugal, Ireland, Belgium, Italy, Iceland, Denmark, the Netherlands, France, Greece, Ukraine, and Norway, all active at the European level, covering the spectrum of marine ecosystem restoration, ocean pollution prevention, and sustainable blue economy initiatives.

Find Out More

PHAROS is an EU-funded project, led by the Canary Islands Ocean Platform (PLOCAN), and implemented by a consortium of 24 organizations from September 2024 to August 2029, which aims to provide nature-based solutions for restoring ecosystems and biodiversity while tackling climate change and human impacts in the Atlantic and Arctic maritime regions. These goals align with the European Union’s ambitious Ocean Mission objectives.

Funded by nearly 9.5 million euros in European funds, the PHAROS project aligns with the European Union’s Ocean Mission. This mission focuses on protecting and restoring marine ecosystems and biodiversity, eliminating pollution, and achieving a sustainable, carbon-neutral, and circular blue economy by 2030.

Privacy Preferences

When you visit our website, it may store information through your browser from specific services, usually in the form of cookies. Our Privacy Policy can be read here.

Here you can change your Privacy preferences. It is worth noting that blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience on our website and the services we are able to offer.

Click to enable/disable Google Analytics tracking code.
Click to enable/disable Google Fonts.
Click to enable/disable Google Maps.
Click to enable/disable video embeds.
Our website uses cookies, mainly from 3rd party services. Define your Privacy Preferences and/or agree to our use of cookies.