PHAROS Kick-off: Secure Launching Marine Ecosystem Protection and Restoration

• September 11, 2024

The PHAROS Project is setting sail with its Kick-Off Meeting, scheduled from September 25th to 27th, 2024, with a detailed agenda that spans press engagements, presentations, site visits, and workshops.

This event marks a crucial starting point in the collaborative effort to enhance the sustainability of marine ecosystems, focusing on the Atlantic and Arctic basins.

The PHAROS Project aims to combat marine pollution and enhance the health of ocean ecosystems through innovative, cross-disciplinary approaches. As pollution threatens marine biodiversity, climate regulation, and food security, PHAROS emerges as a solution to address these urgent issues. The kick-off meeting will lay the groundwork for the strategic roadmap that will guide the project’s objectives and initiatives over the coming years.

The Programme of PHAROS Kick-Off

The Kick-Off Meeting spans three days, involving various presentations, discussions, and workshops focused on marine ecosystem preservation. Here’s what to expect:

• Day 1 (September 25th): Opens with a Press Event, introducing key project stakeholders and offering insights into the PHAROS mission. The day progresses with an in-depth presentation by PLOCAN and partners, including elevator pitches from 24 participants, followed by work package (WP) presentations that will cover methodologies, stakeholder engagement, and action plans for specific initiatives like Fisher Guardians and Citizen Litter Entrepreneur programs.
• Day 2 (September 26th): A visit to PLOCAN, interactive workshops to discuss WP collaborations, Gantt chart preparation, and presentations on European missions such as Blue Mission AA. The day ends with the NBSEduWORLD session, a community engagement activity under the MacaroNight 2024 event.
• Day 3 (September 27th): Site visits to key project locations such as EcoAqua and BEA, along with a tour of the Mogán Marina Underwater Park, showcasing innovative marine research and technologies. The day concludes with a networking lunch and optional walking tour of the historic Vegueta.

The event is organised in a hybrid format, combining in-person presentations, networking dinners, and site visits, alongside recorded sessions for wider dissemination. Stakeholders will discuss methodologies, action plans, and work packages critical to the project’s success. Collaboration is key, with extensive cross-sector involvement from environmental scientists, marine researchers, policymakers, and community leaders.

The meeting is organised by PLOCAN, a leading marine research institution, in collaboration in collaboration with CMC and ICoRSA and all PHAROS Project partners, which include universities, research institutions, governmental bodies, and private sector stakeholders. The event brings together experts from diverse fields to collectively tackle the issue of ocean sustainability and protection.

The PHAROS Kick-Off Meeting serves as the launchpad for an ambitious journey towards restoring and protecting marine ecosystems through innovative practices and international cooperation.