WORDS FROM UNDERWATER GARDENS INTERNATIONAL
Welcome to the fourth edition of the OCEAN CITIZEN newsletter!
By Isabelle Peeters and Clara García
In this edition, we are thrilled to take you to the project’s main site: Tenerife.This volcanic island in the Atlantic Ocean is not only a stunning location but also a place where our restoration actions will come to life, driven by the vital engagement of the local community.
The success of OCEAN CITIZEN hinges on the participation and enthusiasm of the diverse people who call Tenerife home. The local community’s involvement is essential for the long-term success of our restoration efforts, and that’s the reason why it takes such a central place in the project. This desire to commit was reflected during the first event held in April, where Innoceana and UGI met with various stakeholders. During this heartfelt gathering, many attendees shared childhood memories of Tenerife’s rich and diverse marine life, and how they saw the coastal ecosystem degrade under the many pressures the island is facing.
The passion and determination of the local communities to protect and restore their coastal area were truly inspiring. Responses to the survey conducted in April confirmed their desire to see tangible measures implemented, and eagerness to be actively involved in these efforts. We are already integrating local participants into our initiatives; for instance, divers all around the island have been interviewed to help us assess the historical ecology of Tenerife, providing valuable insights.
As we move forward, we hold a message of hope for Tenerife. With the support and involvement of stakeholders, we believe in the resilience and recovery of its marine ecosystems. Together, we are laying the groundwork for a brighter, healthier future for Tenerife’s coastal environment.
We look forward to sharing more of this journey with you.
THE NEED FOR A REGENERATION PLAN FOR THE OCEAN
To fully understand the critical need for a regeneration plan for the ocean, it’s important to recognise why conservation alone isn’t enough. Explore how holistic regeneration efforts, combined with community involvement, are essential for restoring our ecosystems. Discover the OCEAN CITIZEN approach and its seven pillars driving innovative and sustainable marine restoration.
ECOLOGICAL ENGINEERING APPROACHES IN CORAL REEF RESTORATION
Human activity and climate change are causing significant harm to coral reefs, making innovative restoration methods crucial. Professor Buki Rinkevich from Israel Oceanographic & Limnological Research examines ecological engineering approaches. Explore how these methods contribute to OCEAN CITIZEN’s goal of sustainable coastal restoration.
CONNECTING PILOT SITES WITH A SPECIAL COMIC
World Ocean Day is a time to reflect on the vital role of the Ocean. Last June 8th, we introduced the first comic of our project, OCEAN CITIZEN, a storytelling initiative dedicated to raising awareness about the threats our ocean faces and the hope that lies in our collective action.
FORGING UNITY: BUILDING THE OCEAN CITIZEN COMMUNITY IN TENERIFE
The initial meeting with Tenerife’s local community was held on Wednesday, April 17th, at the Centro Cultural de Playa San Juan. This event marks the start of ongoing efforts to engage and inform the community, which is central to OCEAN CITIZEN’s mission.
ESTABLISHING BASELINES FOR COASTAL BIODIVERSITY: THE ROLE OF eDNA ANALYSIS BY AWI
Establishing a baseline of local biodiversity is crucial for monitoring the re-establishment of animal communities in target areas. Learn how the Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research (AWI, Bremerhaven) plays a pivotal role in this essential task.
OCEAN CITIZEN AT THE OCEAN DECADE CONFERENCE IN BARCELONA: PROMOTING COLLABORATION AND ENGAGEMENT
From April 10th to 12th, Barcelona hosted the 2024 United Nations Ocean Decade Conference, a key event bringing together over 1,500 participants and thousands more online. Co-organised with UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, the conference reflected on the Ocean Decade’s first three years and shaped future goals.
OCEAN CITIZEN played a prominent role, contributing to discussions and showcasing our project at the “Life on Shore” event. Discover how our participation and innovative communication strategies are driving sustainable coastal restoration and aligning with the UN Ocean Decade challenges.
EUROPEAN CORAL REEF SYMPOSIUM
Several partners, including Lorenzo Bramanti from LECOB-CNRS, Marta Ribes from ICM-CSIC, Nuria Viladrich from Universitat de Barcelona and Martina de la Torre from CoNISMa, attended and participated in the European Coral Reef Symposium (ECRS) in Naples during the first week of July. Additionally, as a keynote speaker, Sergio Rossi, OCEAN CITIZEN Coordinator, presented ‘Marine Animal Forest in the Anthropocene’, highlighting our contributions to the symposium.
This ECRS 2024 has clearly demonstrated that we are all in, working for adaptation and understanding of global change affecting the planet’s reefs. Even if we showed realistic numbers about the synergic impacts in different habitats, the scientists agree that it is time to continue applying solutions at the local level.
V-CORALS AT INTERZOO
Interzoo, the world’s leading pet industry trade fair, showcases the latest trends and innovations in pet care. V-Corals’ participation at Interzoo directly aligns with the OCEANCITIZEN project’s goals of promoting sustainable coral practices and coral restoration efforts.
By participating in Interzoo and engaging with these professionals, V-Corals were able to disseminate information about the OCEAN CITIZEN project’s goals and advocate for sustainable coral practices within the industry.
iMERMAID PROJECT OPEN CALL 1
The iMERMAID project focuses on protecting the Mediterranean Sea from chemical pollution by developing innovative solutions. An open call has been announced for regional and local public authorities in EU Member States and Associated regions.
