PHAROS at European Maritime Day 2025: Aligning Innovation with Ocean Policy

• July 1, 2025

PHAROS project representatives Pablo Reche García and Gordon Dalton from PLOCAN attended the European Maritime Day (EMD) 2025, held in Cork, Ireland, an important event that gathered leaders, innovators, and policymakers from across Europe’s marine and maritime sectors. This year’s event came at a particularly significant moment for the future of European marine governance, with many discussions centred on the development of the forthcoming European Ocean Pact.

The conference brought the importance of integrating sustainability into the blue economy.

Throughout the sessions, the need to create a more coherent EU vision on marine affairs was clear. The Ocean Pact was described as a strategic tool to unify fragmented policies, align national efforts, and drive both environmental and economic priorities. A key message that resonated through many panels and workshops was that the ocean is central to our planet’s health and economic resilience, and the blue economy is one of the most promising pathways to achieving both.

PHAROS took the opportunity to engage with various sister projects under the Marine Protected Area (MPA) community umbrella, such as Blue4All, BioProtect, BlueConnect, MSP4Bio, ProtectBaltic, MarinePlan, and MPAEurope. These interactions helped reinforce a shared vision and collaborative spirit across the wider EU ocean innovation network.

A notable highlight was the interactive MPA Card Game hosted at the Submariner booth, where Gordon and Pablo joined other stakeholders in a hands-on discussion about MPA planning and governance.

PHAROS Interactions

Throughout the event, PHAROS showcased how nature-based solutions like seagrass restoration and sustainable aquaculture can offer scalable tools for ocean restoration and economic transformation. Discussions with project partners and new stakeholders revealed an increasing institutional interest across Europe in expanding these nature-based approaches, ranging from coral and bivalve restoration through artificial reefs, to renewable energy transitions within fisheries, aquaculture, and marine transport sectors.

Yet, regulatory diversity across countries emerged as a challenge. While the vision of a unified blue economy is clear, implementing these solutions across different national legal frameworks continues to pose obstacles. Other cross-cutting issues identified include the need for stronger gender equality and the inclusion of younger generations in marine professions.

PHAROS participation also included technical sessions like the “Energy Transition Partnership for Fisheries and Aquaculture,” where presentations were delivered by Charlina Vitcheva (Director-General of DG MARE), Vincent Favrel (Head of Unit at CINEA), and Gerardo González (Puerto de Vigo), who discussed decarbonisation of marine vessels. Julie Maguire of Bantry Marine Research Station shared insights on the role of algae cultivation in the energy transition, closely aligned with PHAROS goals in marine innovation.

Notable moments also included networking with partners from the H2Heat sister project and attending a workshop on “The Role of Aquaculture in the Multiuse of the Sea” with contributions from PHAROS members Javier Roo (ULPGC) and Alex Ziemba (Deltares). The closing ceremony celebrated the future of maritime collaboration, with Yiannis Armeftis, mayor of Limassol (EMD 2026 host city), and Jose Ramón Saiz, representing Santander (EMD 2027 host city), expressing their commitment to this evolving blue vision.

The EMD Reception offered a more informal yet impactful close to the week, where PHAROS representatives connected with officials such as the Lord Mayor of Cork City, Cllr. Kieran McCarthy, Monica Quesada from CMC Canaria, and Victor Martínez from Consulta Europa.

EMD 2025

The presence of PHAROS at EMD 2025 helped raise visibility for the project and strengthen alliances within Europe’s ocean innovation ecosystem. As the European Ocean Pact moves forward, PHAROS stands ready to contribute science-based, data-driven strategies that bring together biodiversity restoration, climate resilience, and blue economic growth.