On April 4, the MAELSTROM Consortium gathered national stakeholders at the Centre for Environmental Monitoring and Interpretation (CMIA) in Vila do Conde.
On April 4, the MAELSTROM Consortium gathered national stakeholders at the Centre for Environmental Monitoring and Interpretation (CMIA) in Vila do Conde to share and discuss the project’s activities and objectives for the region.
The initiative, organised by Vila do Conde Town Council and CIIMAR-UP brought together the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA), Fisheries Secretariat, Docapesca – Portos e Lotas, SA, Autoridade Marítima Nacional – Capitania de Vila do Conde, The Institute of Marine Sciences of the National Research Council of Italy (CNR-ISMAR), The Great Bubble Barrier (TGBB), University of Malta (UM-ISE), CMIA-Vila do Conde and Alpha Consult.
Researchers from the MAELSTROM team of CIIMAR-UP Isabel Sousa-Pinto, Luis R. Vieira and Isabel Iglesias were present.
The meeting was a fundamental step to discuss and align the needs and suggestions of all stakeholders regarding the implementation of a technology for the removal of Marine Debris – the Bubble Barrier. The challenges, opportunities and next steps were widely discussed, ending with a unanimous consensus in favour of the local implementation of this innovative and sustainable technology in Vila do Conde.
CIIMAR-UP is the Portuguese representative of the Consortium, and its main activities have been directed to the research, identification and implementation of innovative solutions for marine litter, involving the main societal actors, promoting community awareness in the adoption of good practices and responsible solutions, behaviours and choices, in a joint mission to achieve Goal 14 of the United Nations Agenda – Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development – and to actively support the European Union (EU) Mission “Restore our oceans and waters”.
