Shows millions of Macrocystis gametophyte cells self-propagating. They remain vegetative until the environment is changed to turn them fertile, producing sporophytes. This is enough to seed hundreds of kilometers of Macrocystis farm.
Hortimare
Hortimare, a Dutch-based company, is one of the few companies in the world specialising in the genetics, breeding and propagating of seaweed. Hortimare works with Kelp Blue to create starting material, increase yield and research on best growing techiniques of the Macrocystis pyrifera specie.
Holtimare has a state-of- the art lab in The Netherlands as well as a highly trained experienced team which specializes in seaweed breeding and propagating. Hortimare is an external technical consultant that is helping Kelp Blue set up and develop a hatchery in Namibia and to train a local workforce to run it. They also work together with Kelp Blue in sourcing, collecting and cultivation methods. They are also co-creating a giant kelp seedbank for future use.
The breeding of kelp seedlings is an essential first step in the cultivation of seaweed. There is no public Macrocystis seed bank so Kelp Blue has had to work with partners around the world to sustainably collect spores from wild kelp beds and transport them back to The Netherlands where Hortimare then optimizes Kelp Blue's hatchery system and seeding technique to get to predictable and consistent yield. They share all the information that is needed to make the farm successful. This as a win-win for both parties. Hortimare gets more and more reliable data and knowledge to be able to develop a certain standard and Kelp Blue can translate their findings to predictability of operation.
Sustainably sourcing material, a breeding programme and a property set up hatchery are the cornerstone of any seweed farmer's project.
Supporting the formulation of institutional recommendations at regional scale
Online regional meeting of National Focal Points of the Western Mediterranean to define the regional roadmap on MSP and sustainable blue economy.
MSPglobal, IOC-UNESCO
Themes of the regional roadmap on MSP and sustainable blue economy.
MSPglobal, IOC-UNESCO
This Building Block aimed to develop a regional roadmap on MSP and sustainable blue economy agreed by the seven beneficiary countries, as well as neighboring countries involved in another regional activity focused on blue economy (WestMED Initiative): Algeria, France, Italy, Malta, Morocco, Spain, Tunisia, Libya, Portugal and Mauritania. National Focal Points were invited to provide recommendations according to their relevance to five specific themes; these recommendations were then compiled in a survey and prioritized by the National Focal Points and other National Experts. The most voted recommendations were selected and rephrased (when necessary) to compose the regional roadmap.
Increasing relevance of MSP and sustainable blue economy in the national, regional and international agendas
Pre-existing collaboration between governmental institutions at national and regional levels
Building capacity: Before proposing regional meetings, it is important to provide capacity building at national level so that national representatives are better prepared for regional discussions
Building cooperation: Before proposing an activity to develop regional recommendations, it is important to organize prior meetings at regional level so that national representatives can meet and get used to working with each other
Showcasing key results through a simplified and interactive storytelling tool
Storytelling tool about the Western Mediterranean: tab about the pilot project.
MSPglobal, IOC-UNESCO
Storytelling tool about the Western Mediterranean: tab about activities and pressures.
MSPglobal, IOC-UNESCO
Storytelling tool about the Western Mediterranean: tab about activities and pressures.
MSPglobal, IOC-UNESCO
Storytelling tool about the Western Mediterranean: tab about synergies and conflicts.
MSPglobal, IOC-UNESCO
Storytelling tool about the Western Mediterranean: tab about future scenarios.
MSPglobal, IOC-UNESCO
This Building Block aimed to develop a multilingual storytelling tool to showcase both existing conditions and scenarios for the pilot in the Western Mediterranean. The objective was to present the data and information in a simplified and interactive way, and as such to turn complex concepts into notions easily understood by all stakeholders.
Professionals with previous experience in developing an online storytelling tool with spatial data visualization
Technical reports with the necessary data and information published in advance
Teamwork: Those involved in the development of the reports need to work in close collaboration with those responsible for developing the tool to ensure that the key results are properly selected and displayed
Structure: Organize the story through different themes, titles, taglines and sections
Be concise: Limit the size of the texts to the key messages. If the user is interested in learning more, reports with the full information should be available
Technical terms: Whenever possible, avoid using difficult and/or technical language (including acronyms) that might be incomprehensible for a wider audience. If it cannot be avoided, better to add the meaning
Responsive web tool: Depending on the type and format of the content, it might be difficult to ensure that the tool is sufficiently responsive across different internet browsers, resolutions and electronic devices
Beta version: It is recommended to develop a beta version (pre-release) and then ask some users to play with it before the launch
Building scenarios for MSP and sustainable blue economy
Trend scenario of different activities already in place in the Western Mediterranean.
MSPglobal, IOC-UNESCO
Example of MSP scenario (conservationist) developed for the Western Mediterranean, with a focus on the western part and Strait of Gibraltar.
MSPglobal, IOC-UNESCO
This Building Block aimed to analyze potential future conditions of the Western Mediterranean in order to build three scenarios by 2030: trend scenario; conservationist scenario; and integrated scenario. The developed scenarios DO NOT represent official proposals for the area; instead, they are a starting point for a multi-sectoral and cross-border dialogue about the desired future. A technical report was developed and made publicly available.
Existing regional publications on maritime sectors trends
Existing regional policies about MSP or blue economy covering at least some of the beneficiary countries
Potential areas of development: Identify them based on literature to the extent possible, while using “real-life logic” when it does not exist.
Transparency: Justify the goals and assumptions of each scenario, as well as how they were developed. If they are not official proposals, make it clear whenever presenting the scenarios in order to avoid any issue, such as a governmental stakeholder upset because it was not involved in the process
How to use: Develop some guidelines with suggestions on how to use and adapt the scenarios during dialogue and negotiation with stakeholders at national and regional levels
Analyzing current conditions of the marine environment and maritime uses
Marine conservation and protection measures in the Western Mediterranean.
MSPglobal, IOC-UNESCO
Example of sectoral spatial data relevant for MSP and sustainable blue economy: location of aquaculture farms (Source: EMODnet, adapted by IOC-UNESCO from national sources).
MSPglobal, IOC-UNESCO
Example of sectoral statistical data relevant for MSP and sustainable blue economy: annual aquaculture production in 2018 (Source: adapted from FAO, 2020).
MSPglobal, IOC-UNESCO
Cumulative uses of main sectors identified in the Western Mediterranean.
MSPglobal, IOC-UNESCO
This Building Block aimed to analyze the current conditions of the Western Mediterranean. Policies, data and information on the marine environmental and main maritime uses were analyzed to identify use-use and use-nature conflicts and compatibilities, resulting in the development of a technical report publicly available. Spatial data was compiled to develop the maps about the different uses.
Access to public data sources, especially European and international ones
Data from previous projects developed in the region
At least one member of the team with expertise in spatial data available during the whole initiative in case additional analysis is necessary
Data providers: If the data is not publicly available, care should be appointed when choosing the right contact person (committed and with interest in the project) to request it
Lack of data: Some institutions might not be willing to share data, so it is important to be transparent and acknowledge data gaps
Presentation of the theoretical modules of the training course in Spain.
MSPglobal, IOC-UNESCO
Presentation of the theoretical modules of the training course in Morocco.
MSPglobal, IOC-UNESCO
Practical exercise about developing a fictitious MSP vision and objectives during the training course for French and Algerian experts.
MSPglobal, IOC-UNESCO
Practical exercise about developing a fictitious MSP vision and objectives during the training course in Spain.
MSPglobal, IOC-UNESCO
Practical exercise about developing fictitious MSP plans coherent across borders during the training course in Italy.
MSPglobal, IOC-UNESCO
Practical exercise about developing fictitious MSP plans coherent across borders during the training course in Morocco.
MSPglobal, IOC-UNESCO
One of the tokens of the MSP Challenge Game to identify the zones of the fictitious plans related to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda.
MSPglobal, IOC-UNESCO
Online seminars to target sectoral stakeholders from the Western Mediterranean.
MSPglobal, IOC-UNESCO
This BB aimed to develop activities to improve stakeholders’ capacities on MSP and sustainable blue economy by helping them understand the big picture of the MSP process, as well as the role that they can play in such policy.
I) Training course for governmental representatives included both theoretical and practical sessions. The theoretical ones covered topics such as the concepts of MSP and sustainable blue economy, stakeholder participation and data and information. Moreover, the competent authorities had the opportunity to discuss national initiatives on MSP. Putting theory into practice, participants were divided into groups to play the MSP Challenge Game, representing planners and stakeholders. They defined the vision, objectives, indicators, actions and stakeholders of fictitious countries to simulate an MSP process. After, they developed sectoral plans and used the tokens available to negotiate space and develop an integrated plan coherent with the national objectives. They also had to link aspects of the plan with the achievement of the 17 SDGs.
II) Seminars for sectoral stakeholders
Thematic seminars were organized to highlight the need for MSP in the Western Mediterranean: international cooperation, multi-use of the ocean space, and spatial dimension of aquaculture and port infrastructures.
Training material and course in the language of the stakeholders (whenever possible)
Practical exercises to stimulate the learning process
Content: Beyond learning about concepts, participants are interested in real-life examples
Gender balance: It is important to request that the list of participants invited to the training courses is gender-balanced
Participation: Ensure that the National Focal Point responsible for co-organizing the activities is communicating with partner institutions to guarantee their involvement
