From March 4th to 8th, 2024, Brussels became the epicenter of marine conservation efforts with the inaugural edition of European Ocean Days, a week-long series of events focusing on Europe’s seas. The NETTAG+ project participated in several events, showcasing its innovative approaches to marine litter mitigation and engaging with policy-makers, researchers, and other stakeholders.
The week kicked off with a gathering of coordinators from over 40 EU-funded projects under the EU Mission Ocean and Waters initiative. This pivotal meeting brought together representatives from the European Commission and project leaders, including NETTAG+, to discuss progress and align efforts for the Mission’s ambitious goals. In the afternoon, the matchmaking side event at the Sparks building offered an excellent opportunity for NETTAG+ to connect with fellow projects, philanthropists, and Charter signatories. These interactions laid the groundwork for potential partnerships and synergies.
The momentum continued on March 5th with the 2nd Annual Mission Restore our Ocean and Waters Forum. NETTAG+ highlighted its work by showcasing the acoustic tag, a cutting-edge solution to reduce fishing gear loss. Project coordinator Sandra Ramos (CIIMAR) and partner Jeff Neasham (UNEW) were interviewed by CINEA, sharing insights into the project’s objectives and achievements.
March 6th featured the session “Where Next for Europe’s Seas”, with discussions about the future priorities for Europe’s marine environment. A poster presentation illustrated the NETTAG+ project’s innovative solutions to tackle marine litter from fisheries. That afternoon, NETTAG+ joined a group of Charter signatories at the European Parliament, meeting with Members of the European Parliament (MEPs).
