Organized within the framework of the MACRO CLEAN Project – Research, Cleaning Methodologies, Economic Valorisation and Pilot Application for Macroalgal Blooms, co-funded by the European Union through the Interreg NEXT Black Sea Basin Programme, the workshop brought together representatives of universities, public institutions, local authorities, NGOs and sector experts to discuss sustainable solutions for macroalgal bloom management in the Black Sea Basin.
The workshop opened with welcome speeches by Merve Ağca, Environmental Management Coordinator and Director of the Sustainability and Climate Change Center of Marmara Municipalities Union, and Ayşe Deniz Arıcan, Expert for EU Affairs at Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Foreign Affairs Directorate for EU Affairs.
During the two-day workshop, project partners and invited experts presented the outcomes of research, field studies and laboratory activities carried out within the project. Sessions covered coastal conditions, eutrophication, scientific monitoring, macroalgae collection and coastal cleaning practices, institutional governance and action planning, as well as the economic valorisation of macroalgae through fertilizer and bioplastic production, biomass quality, supply chains, commercialization and entrepreneurship. Participants also exchanged experiences from international study visits conducted in France, Portugal, China, Japan, Romania and Georgia, together with practical examples from coastal cleaning operations and recent developments in value-added macroalgae applications.
Interactive thematic table discussions were organized on both days of the workshop, enabling participants to exchange knowledge and develop recommendations on key project topics.
The outcomes of these discussions will contribute directly to the preparation of the Joint Action Plan for Macroalgae Cleaning, Pollution Reduction and Economic Valorisation, which will include proposed actions, performance indicators, responsible institutions and monitoring mechanisms. The Action Plan is expected to provide a practical roadmap for improving macroalgae management in the Black Sea Basin while supporting the development of the blue economy and entrepreneurship ecosystem across the region.
The workshop represented an important milestone for the MACRO CLEAN Project by strengthening cross-border cooperation and promoting the exchange of knowledge, experiences and innovative approaches among project partners and stakeholders.