22 September, 2025

Presentation of the Galician Network of Blue Schools, promoted by the NEREIDA project

• CETMAR supports the Galician Network of Blue Schools, an initiative aimed at training new generations in the protection of aquatic ecosystems and in the use of scientific knowledge as a tool for sustainability and adaptation to climate change.

The Redeiras Building of the University of Vigo hosted this Thursday, September 4, the presentation of the Galician Network of Blue Schools, an initiative promoted through the NEREIDA project with the collaboration of CETMAR, both in the project and in the organization of the event.

The Galician Network of Blue Schools is aimed at educational centres that incorporate ocean and aquaculture culture into their activities through projects linked to the sea, rivers, and lakes that involve the educational community.

Through this Network, participating schools receive support to develop blue projects, access specialised materials, take part in teacher training programmes, and obtain information on funding opportunities. The goal is to engage students and the local community, fostering practical and critical learning about aquatic ecosystems. It also seeks to raise awareness of the fundamental role of the ocean in climate regulation and biodiversity.

The presentation day was held today at the Redeiras Building of the University of Vigo, located in O Berbés. The programme included the institutional presentation of the network, examples of good practices in already accredited schools, a participatory workshop for project creation, and spaces for dialogue and sharing of conclusions. Six schools from the network and seventeen interested schools took part in the initiative, bringing together around 40 participants.

This initiative is part of the Network of European Blue Schools (NEBS), promoted by the European Commission within the framework of the EU4Ocean coalition and coordinated by the European Marine Science Educators Association (EMSEA). It thus contributes to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals 4 and 14 (quality education and life below water) and to the objectives of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development 2021–2030, led by UNESCO.

The NEREIDA project is funded by FECYT and coordinated by the CIM of the University of Vigo. In addition to CETMAR, collaborators include the Institute of Marine Research IIM-CSIC, the Port Authority of Vigo, FUNDAMAR, 13 Grados, and Northwind.

The Xunta highlights CETMAR’s trajectory as a hub of innovation and research in the maritime and fisheries sector

• Rosa Chapela stressed that investing in Cetmar means investing in the future of the sea of Galicia, in its people, its economy, and its identity.
• The Cetmar Foundation presented the results of its 24 years of activity, highlighting its contribution to marine science, the blue economy, and the international projection of the region.

The director of the Marine Technology Centre–Cetmar Foundation, Rosa Chapela, appeared today before the 8th Commission of the Galician Parliament to present the entity’s trajectory and future challenges, as it approaches its 25th anniversary.

In her address, Chapela underlined Cetmar’s strategic role in the ecosystem of marine science and innovation, and called on parliamentary groups to maintain a commitment that ensures Cetmar can continue to be a useful tool for both the sector and society. The head of the centre, which depends on the Consellería do Mar, stated: “Investing in Cetmar means investing in the future of the sea of Galicia; it means investing in jobs, sustainability, and useful, applied science.”

Cetmar was created in 2001 through an initiative of the Xunta and the Ministry of Science and Innovation as a public foundation of Galician interest. Based in Vigo, but with a clear international projection, its mission is to connect universities, research centres, the fishing and shellfishing sectors, companies, administrations, and society. Cetmar acts as a cooperation platform that, through scientific research, provides practical solutions to the problems of the sea and its people.

Today, the centre has a team of 54 professionals with a wide diversity of profiles, reflecting its interdisciplinary nature. Among them are marine biologists, engineers from different fields, economists, lawyers, chemists, anthropologists, political scientists, and specialists in training and knowledge transfer. This combination of skills allows for integrated work on complex projects, ranging from applied research to international cooperation, always with a practical approach tailored to the needs of the sector and Galician society.

Two decades of research and action

Over more than two decades, Cetmar has actively participated in local, European, and international projects, contributing to strengthening Galicia’s position in the blue economy. The results back this track record: 939 partners in 61 countries, cooperation in 31 states, 122 actions underway with a 61.5% success rate, €11.1 million mobilised with 31 funders, and more than 2,000 students trained at the A Aixola training centre since 2004.

Its activity spans seven specialised areas: control and management of marine resources, fisheries product technology, marine technology unit, promotion and transfer of technology, fisheries socioeconomics, international cooperation, and training.

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Examples of ongoing projects include controlling populations of Pacific oyster and analysing mussel seed, tackling marine litter and emerging pollutants, implementing observation systems in collaboration with Portugal, conducting economic impact studies of fisheries and aquaculture, training more than two thousand professionals, and cooperating with African countries through the FAO. Chapela placed special emphasis on two ongoing projects: training maritime professionals through the A Aixola training centre and the overall coordination of the Marine Sciences of Galicia project, framed within a national initiative with a global and ambitious focus on marine well-being.

Cetmar is also part of leading international networks and groups, such as the Technical Expert Group for MSP (DGMARE), the European Marine Board, PtPROTECMA, NOR-WATER, FAMENET, the RCG Secretariat, and ECON ICES, which strengthen Galicia’s presence in marine governance at both the European and global level.

Automatic translation with AI

Galicia defines its Marine Observation Strategy for a more efficient and sustainable use of resources

The Marine Sciences Programme of Galicia is developing the Strategy for the Observation and Monitoring of the Marine Environment of Galicia, a plan that will allow for a better use of existing resources, address identified needs, and anticipate the environmental, social, and economic challenges affecting our sea.

The aim is to establish a more efficient, coordinated, and sustainable observation system, one that will be useful not only for the scientific community but also for productive sectors, public administrations, conservation entities, as well as tourism and outreach. The Strategy will include proposals to improve the efficiency, responsiveness, governance, and communication of marine monitoring systems, and will be completed by the end of 2025.

Its design is based on a broad collaborative process launched three years ago. In previous meetings, experts in oceanographic, biological, socioeconomic, and other types of observation were consulted to identify needs and define priorities for action. The Marine Sciences Programme of Galicia has its own website where progress can be followed.

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Within this framework, CETMAR hosted the third participatory workshop. The event brought together 33 representatives from a wide range of entities and sectors, including MeteoGalicia, the General Subdirectorate of Research and Scientific-Technical Support of the Consellería do Mar, INEGA, GALP, the Institute of Marine Research (IIM-CSIC), the Spanish Institute of Oceanography (IEO-CSIC), the University of A Coruña, the University of Vigo, CIMA, IGAFA, the Port Authorities of A Coruña and Vigo, the fishermen’s guilds of Pontevedra and Cambados, the Galician Federation of Fishermen’s Guilds, CEMMA, BDRI, INTECMAR and CETMAR. The diversity of profiles involved ensures that the future Strategy will be a useful and realistic tool, addressing the needs of all stakeholders linked to the sea in Galicia.

*Automatic translation with AI. Original version in Galician: https://cetmar.org/programa-de-ciencias-marinas-de-galicia/