Subject: MPA4Change Newsletter #2 - Get ready to face the climate emergency!

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Interreg Euro-MED MPA4Change

Newsletter #2

April 2025

Under the surface of Brijuni National Park, Croatia - Photo by Dalibor Andres

Get ready to face the climate emergency!

Dear reader,

Some months have passed since the release of the first MPA4Change newsletter. In this second issue, we are thrilled to share with you some exciting developments that will get Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) ready to adapt to climate change.

First of all, we are pleased to announce the launch of the MPA4Change Training programme on climate change adaptation in Marine Protected Areas. This capacity building programme aims to provide MPA managers and other support experts to implement climate change adaptation plans in MPAs and it is available since last March both in online and hybrid formats.

Second, in the coming months we will be officially launching the 100MPA MedAlliance, an initiative that aims to build a more resilient Mediterranean sea by supporting the integration of climate change adaptation plans in 100 MPAs of the Mediterranean basin by the year 2030.

Hence, for those MPA professionals engaged in the MPA4Change Training programme, the 100MPA MedAlliance will be an opportunity to further engage in the implementation of climate change adaptation plans, get support from experts in the matter and, later on, share their experience with other MPAs that want to follow their steps.

To end with, as in the previous edition, in this newsletter we would like to highlight the work of some of our partner organisations that are leading the way forward in regards to climate change adaptation in the Mediterranean Sea. Likewise, you will find a selection of news articles portraying our partner´s work and project updates as well as the newly released MPA4Change project video, which we think would be of your interest.

Happy readings,

The MPA4Change team

Get to know our partners

Data collection of marine life species in Linosa, Sicily, Italy - Photo by CNR

Future Oceans Lab - University of Vigo, Spain

The Future Oceans Lab of the University of Vigo, Spain, is the part of the Marine Research Centre which develops a multi-disciplinary approach to understand the challenges of marine management under climate change.

Its activities cover resilience, vulnerability and risk assessments of nature-based solutions to climate change, and particularly focus on policy change, stakeholder involvement and consultation, participatory workshops and co-creation, as well as decision support tools.

In previous projects, the Future Oceans Lab has successfully implemented seven vulnerability assessments for Mediterranean MPAs via the development of an interactive tool currently being transferred to different Mediterranean contexts under MPA4Change. This tool is also being used to engage citizens and effectively raise awareness on climate change while providing managers and policy makers with specific actions to include in their adaptive planning of marine spaces.

DAN Europe Foundation, Malta

DAN Europe is the leading entity in diving in Europe and the Middle East. As such, it has implemented several citizen science programmes in Mediterranean MPAs and developed a series of guidelines and tools for diving operators on how to involve recreational divers into climate change monitoring.

Among their achievements, DAN Europe, in collaboration with PADI, has built 2 different capacity-building programmes: "Basic Research Diver" (BRD) and “Snorkeler Research Operator” (SRO). Both programmes aim to explain scientific protocols and train divers on how to collect ecological data and share data through the “Observadores del Mar” marine citizen science platform while fostering the implementation of citizen science activities in a reliable way across Mediterranean MPAs.

To end with, DAN Europe is one of the two providers of MPA4Change online training resources, which is articulated through a dedicated online learning platform tailor made for this project.

National Research Council - CNR, Italy

The National Research Council - CNR is the largest research public body of Italy, with 88 Institutes distributed all over the country and an overall expertise in promoting MPA adaptation and in enhancing MPA management effectiveness to face climate change.

Its involvement in MPA4Change project is carried out through the Institute for Marine Biological Resources and Biotechnology (IRBIM) with the support of the Institute of Marine Sciences (ISMAR).

The IRBIM provides expertise in marine resources management, biology and ecology of marine organisms, including alien species, with a focus on sustainable fishery and aquaculture, biodiversity conservation and an extended experience in communication, dissemination and public engagement. Additionally, the ISMAR focuses on oceanography, coastal system and human impacts, climate, ecosystems and technology - data management and geoportals.

Within MPA4Change, the CNR is a key player for the transfer of monitoring protocols of climate change impacts.

Featured resources

Tools for underwater monitoring of climate change impacts - Photo by EUROPARC Federation

Training programme on climate change adaptation in Marine Protected Areas

A capacity building programme resulting from years of experience that lead to the development of tools and methodologies aiming to empower Marine Protected Area managers to face climate change.

The Training programme on climate change adaptation in Marine Protected Areas is an opportunity for MPA managers and marine conservation experts to acquire new knowledge and skills aiming to implement climate change adaptation plans in MPAs.

It is divided in different modules that focus on different aspects of climate change adaptation in MPAs, from monitoring to management actions, and are available both in online and hybrid formats.

The training programme started last March with the release of the first Module on Monitoring Protocols, a specialised module tailored made for the Mediterranean basin that provides participants with validated tools to assess climate change impacts in marine ecosystems. Whilst the practical part of this module is currently being organised and will take place in Portofino MPA, Italy, the online training is available for interested participants through the MPA4Change online learning platform.

Additionally, a new Module on Citizen Science has been released, organised by DAN Europe as part of a wider initiative aimed at fostering collaboration between scientists, divers, NGOs, and the public to co-create knowledge and inform marine conservation efforts.

Hybrid training on Citizen Science

This hybrid training is designed to empower individuals and organizations to engage in Citizen Science initiatives focused on assessing the impacts of climate change on the marine environment.

The training integrates theoretical sessions with practical fieldwork through recreational diving activities, enhancing participants’ understanding of marine ecosystems and promoting participatory research.

Target Audience

Recreational and technical divers interested in marine conservation.
University students (marine biology, environmental science, archaeology).
NGO representatives and environmental educators.
Local community stakeholders and eco-tourism operators.
Marine Protected Area staff and environmental authorities.

Required Skills and Knowledge

Valid recreational diving certification (minimum Advanced Open Water Diver).
Basic knowledge of marine biology and ecology (recommended but not mandatory).
Interest in environmental issues and citizen engagement.

Dates and Location

Practical workshop (in person): 9-11 July 2025, Ustica Island, Italy. Organised in collaboration with the local Marine Protected Area authority and diving centres on the island. The practical applications that will take place in the water focus on four Citizen Science protocols: Fish Visual Census, Mass Mortality, Pinna nobilis and Posidonia oceanica.
Online sessions (self-study via the e-learning platform): The BRD manual is available on the dedicated e-learning platform and can be downloaded. Once participants have completed the self-study, the certificate of completion should be downloaded and sent by email in order to participate in the practical sessions in person.

Selection Process

Participation is free of charge for access to the e-learning platform and teaching materials, workshops and practical applications in open water, but places are limited:

Relevant experience or study background.
Diving qualifications and experience.
Commitment to attending the full programme (online on the e-learning and in-person).
Application Deadline: 15 June 2025.

Selected candidates will be notified by 20 June 2025.

For questions or additional details, please contact: mcasabianca@daneurope.org

Other Modules

Later on this year, new modules will be open including methodologies on Vulnerability Assessment, Participatory Approaches, development of Climate Change Adaptation Plans and other aspects related with climate change adaptation.

For more information, visit the MPA4Change Training programme page through the button below:

+ Training programme information

Coming soon - the 100MPA MedAlliance

An initiative aiming to enhance the resilience to climate change and effectiveness of at least 100 Mediterranean MPAs by the year 2030 through the integration of MPA4Change adaptation toolkits.

The 100MPA MedAlliance is an initiative created in the framework of MPA4Change project. It is designed to drive action in order to raise awareness on climate smart MPAs, encourage stakeholder involvement, foster synergies and attract resources to achieve an ambitious objective: the integration of MPA4Change climate change adaptation toolkits into 100 Mediterranean MPAs by the year 2030.

By integrating climate adaptation strategies into MPAs management plans across the Mediterranean, the 100MPA MedAlliance ensures to support their resilience and long-term sustainability, enhancing their capacity to address climate challenges effectively.

The first action of the 100MPA MedAlliance is the release of the aforementioned Training programme on climate change adaptation in Marine Protected Areas, which will allow the transfer of MPA4Change toolkits to other MPAs.

Afterwards, the MPAs engaged by the 100 MPA MedAlliance will serve as lighthouses, guiding neighboring MPAs in adopting climate adaptation strategies and improving management effectiveness.

Further information and resources on the 100MPA MedAlliance will follow on the coming months!

MPA4Change project - video presentation

Recently, MPA4Change has published a short project video featuring some of the actors involved in the project and the objectives being sought. A useful resource to learn more about the project and the 100MPA MedAlliance that we are pleased to share with you.

Please support MPA4Change by promoting the video among your networks!

Project news

Female Mediterranean parrotfish (Sparisoma cretense) - Photo by Giovanni Ombrello

A new climate change vulnerability assessment tool co-developed with MPAs

28/04/2025 - How vulnerable is your Marine Protected Area to climate change? Discover a new tool developed by researchers in collaboration with Marine Protected Area managers to assess climate change vulnerability. The final version will be launched this summer – and it will be free to use. Full article

The Mediterranean red gorgonian shows limited adaptation capacity to climate change

14/04/2025 - A new study highlights the limited adaptive capacities of this iconic Mediterranean species to extreme climatic events that are increasingly frequent and intense. Full article

Climate change monitoring programme at Cavo Greco MPA: Strengthening Climate Resilience

14/03/2025 - AP Marine is undertaking the next phase of the MPA4Change programme with the implementation of robust monitoring protocols at Cavo Greco MPA, Cyprus. These monitoring efforts aim to contribute to tracking and enhancing the resilience of Mediterranean MPAs to climate change, fostering long-term sustainability. Full article

Diving into Citizen Science: Arkadiusz Srebnik’s Journey in Marine Conservation

10/02/2025 - Arkadiusz Srebnik, a diving instructor from Poland working in Malta, has used DAN Europe’s programmes to contribute to marine conservation through citizen science. In this interview, he shares his journey into diving and conservation, his experiences with DAN Europe’s training, and the significance of projects like MPA4Change. Full article

To read all the MPA4Change project news, please visit our news section at MPA4Change website by clicking the button below:

+ MPA4Change news

What´s next?

Serranus scriba - Photo by Rok Kovacic

In the coming months, we will continue releasing new modules of the MPA4Change Training programme on climate change adaptation in Marine Protected Areas, with the opening of the Module on Vulnerability Assessment and Adaptation Plans scheduled on July - stay tuned to new releases at the Training programme webpage!

Additionally, before the summer, we aim to publish the first policy brief with key recommendations on climate change adaptation and continue advocating for the inclusion of MPA4Change toolkits into relevant policy frameworks and representing the project interest at key events.

As previously mentioned, the 100MPA MedAlliance will be soon officially launched with the publication of a dedicated webpage and other communication resources designed to foster the engagement of more MPAs and supporting institutions in MPA4Change´s activity.

To end with, we would like to invite you to spread the word and encourage contacts of your networks to register to the MPA4Change mailing list - let's build a more resilient Mediterranean all together!

Visit MPA4Change website

For any questions or comments, please contact MPA4Change Communication team: mpa4change@interreg-euro-med.eu