An online meeting held in the morning gathered 8 representatives from the municipalities of Llançà, Colera and Portbou, regional authorities from the Government of Catalonia, NGOs and research institutions to review the tools currently under development within the project. These tools, including connectivity and pressure analyses, aim to support decision-making, particularly in the context of a potential expansion of the marine protected area. Participants welcomed the progress made so far and provided valuable feedback, helping to validate the tools and identify additional data that could strengthen the ongoing analyses. The importance of coordinating BLUE CONNECT’s actions with ongoing local initiatives related to the potential creation of a new Natural Park was also highlighted.
An in-person session was also held in Llançà that afternoon, with 11 members of the local community, including representatives of the fishing guild, environmental NGOs, local naturalists and members of an open-water swimming club. The discussion focused on validating the project’s tools and maps, identifying data gaps and integrating local knowledge. Participants actively contributed by using printed maps of the area to provide feedback on pressures and spatial information, helping to refine the project’s spatial analyses and datasets.
The proposed co-management scheme was also presented in both sessions. While participants agreed that collaborative management would be the ideal model for L’Albera, they also acknowledged the challenges involved, particularly the need to balance different interests and ensure strong institutional commitment. A follow-up meeting with representatives of the three coastal municipalities and local stakeholders is planned to explore synergies and future steps, strengthening coordination around future governance of the area.
Finally, this 2nd LSWG meeting provided an opportunity to discuss and validate again the Demo site Implementation Plan (DSIP), and to share preliminary results from the 2025 active restoration of Posidonia oceanica meadows, as well as to plan the actions for 2026. Restoration efforts will resume in March, including a collaborative collection day of naturally uprooted shoots together with the local community.
Together, these exchanges helped to validate some of the tools that are being developed in BLUE CONNECT with the local actors, identify key data gaps, confirm the Demo site implementation approach and strengthen collaboration between administrations, stakeholders and the local community, contributing to a more participatory and informed marine governance in L’Albera.
