SUBMON is proud to be an active participant in this initiative, having received the endorsement of Mission Ocean and Waters for three of our key actions. This endorsement not only recognises the importance of our projects but also integrates SUBMON into the broader European commitment to marine conservation and sustainable practices.
Our endorsed actions focus on three crucial aspects of ocean health and sustainability:
- Neptune seagrass restoration:
Through this action, SUBMON works in collaboration with coastal municipalities with mooring fields located over seagrass fields. After diagnosing whether moorings can remain, be relocated, or replaced with low-impact systems, we remove concrete blocks and abandoned equipment from the water. Municipalities receive a detailed map for correct mooring placements, along with training on the importance of seagrass conservation and sustainable mooring practices.
- Improving fisher’s practices with captured protected species
Incidental capture of protected species, such as sea turtles, birds, sharks or cetaceans is an important worldwide conservation problem. SUBMON’s veterinarian specialises in this work, and collaborates with fishers, working on board with them, learning their reality, and adapting the best practices to the particularities of their situation and reality. With this information, we develop training material specifically designed for that fishery. Such work started back in 2007, and is ongoing, both in Europe (Mediterranean Sea) and in America.
- Size and distribution of cetacean populations
For over 10 years we have studied the presence of cetacean (whale and dolphin) species in protected marine areas in the Mediterranean in Spain. Lately, through the CETAMED NORTE project, we aim to expand knowledge on the distribution and abundance of cetacean species, sea turtles, and marine debris in the northern area of the Mediterranean Cetacean Migration Corridor.
By receiving the endorsement, SUBMON has become a signatory of the Mission Ocean and Waters Charter. While this is a non-binding agreement, it connects us to a network of organisations and experts dedicated to ocean restoration.
In addition to our Mission Ocean-endorsed actions, SUBMON is also engaged in two Horizon Europe projects that fall under the Research & Innovation calls of Mission Ocean: OCEAN CITIZEN and Blue Connect. Both projects are part of the EU Blue Parks initiative, which aims to create a network of marine protected areas across Europe. Additionally, SUBMON is part of the SEA2SEE project, which is endorsed by Mission Ocean and Waters.
Through these projects, SUBMON continues to play a crucial role in marine conservation, acting as a knowledge broker by bridging scientific research with local needs and aligning them with national and international strategies to restore Europe’s oceans and waters while promoting sustainable marine practices.
We have also participated in various high-level Mission Ocean and Waters events, such as the Mediterranean Lighthouse in Action event in Palermo in May 2023 and the Digital Ocean Forum 2024 in Brussels. These opportunities underscore the recognition of our innovative work, which is rooted in local action yet has the potential for significant impact at the European level.
What is Mission Ocean?
Mission Ocean, officially titled “Mission Restore Our Oceans and Waters by 2030”, is a key initiative funded under Horizon Europe, the EU’s strategic research and innovation program. This mission is one of five EU Missions, a novel approach introduced by Horizon Europe to tackle some of the greatest global challenges. These missions aim to provide concrete solutions by leveraging research and innovation, combined with new forms of governance, collaboration, and strong citizen engagement.
EU Missions, including Mission Ocean and Waters, represent a fresh model for mobilising efforts across all sectors, fostering pan-European communication and collaboration. They engage society, science, and the economy in joint efforts to achieve long-term, impactful outcomes for Europe’s future.
In particular, Mission Ocean and Waters is focused on protecting and restoring the health of Europe’s oceans, seas, and inland waters by 2030. It does this through an integrated approach that addresses the ocean and waters as one system. The mission emphasises research and innovation, as well as citizen engagement and blue investments. Discover more about Mission Ocean and Waters here.
