📍DS Macaronesia
Thais Macedo, from the Fundação Maio Biodiversidade (FMB), and Natali Santos, from the University of the Azores (UAc), jointly coordinated a week-long programme with the local projects PaMAR – Strengthening Marine Conservation in Cabo Verde, led by Fauna & Flora, and the Management of Threats to Marine Ecosystems project of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, coordinated by the National Directorate for the Environment (DNA). This joint effort highlights the importance of partnerships between regional and local initiatives in advancing effective marine conservation across the Cabo Verde archipelago.
From 6–8 July, MPA managers attended Modules 4 and 5 of the second phase of the Training Programme, focusing on Ecosystems & Biodiversity and Communication & Public Engagement. The programme is designed to strengthen the technical and practical capacities of MPA managers and practitioners by providing tools and methodologies for evidence-based conservation planning, stakeholder engagement and adaptive management. Two additional modules, covering Legislation and Financial Management of Marine Protected Areas, are planned for early September and will complete the training programme later this year.
Over two days, participants exchanged experiences, discussed current management challenges and explored collaborative solutions to improve the effectiveness of MPAs. Through interactive sessions and participatory exercises, the workshop strengthened institutional coordination while fostering a shared vision for the sustainable management of Maio’s unique marine and coastal ecosystems.
Together, these week-long activities reinforced the BLUE CONNECT project’s commitment to building local capacity, strengthening cooperation between scientific institutions, conservation organisations and public authorities, and supporting evidence-based marine conservation throughout the Macaronesia region.
By combining technical training with participatory governance, the Macaronesia Demo Site continues to promote more resilient Marine Protected Areas while contributing to the long-term conservation of Cabo Verde’s marine biodiversity and the sustainable management of its MPAs and UNESCO Biosphere Reserves.
