News

From March 5 to 6, 2025, Heraklion (Crete) hosted the mid-term meeting of the ARTEMIS Interreg Euro-MED Natural Heritage project, organized by the Hellenic Marine Research Centre. This was an important moment to assess ongoing activities and outline future strategies for the restoration and conservation of seagrass meadows, which are fundamental for Mediterranean biodiversity. 

The two days were dedicated to project activity updates, involving all partners: MEDSEA, ISPRA, HCMR, The Green Tank, Plan Bleu, Ecoacsa, IME OBSAM, Bax and Denkstatt Bulgaria, and representatives from pilot sites such as Capo Testa - Punta Falcone MPA, Minorca, Azikiany, and Monfalcone. 

Topics discussed included updates on pilot site activities, strategies for seagrass restoration, stakeholder engagement techniques, and ecosystem services valuation. The group also explored funding opportunities and development of payment schemes for Posidonia conservation, as well as future prospects, with a session dedicated to amplification and replicability opportunities. 

The MEDSEA team, led by the project coordinator, Francesca Frau, provided updates on the Sardinian pilot site and project communication. 

Capo Testa - Punta Falcone: Our Pilot Site 

During the meeting, updates were given on ongoing activities at the Capo Testa - Punta Falcone MPA pilot site, with the participation of director Yuri Donno and Santa Teresa Gallura city councilor, Sandro Villani. Here, studies are being conducted on the carbon sequestration and accumulation capacity and biodiversity of Posidonia meadows, in parallel with the other two pilot sites, and restoration of degraded areas is being planned. The goal is to ensure an effective and replicable intervention on a larger scale. 

The Crete meeting represented an important milestone for the ARTEMIS project. Francesca Frau explained, "The discussions and exchanges that took place during these days have strengthened the shared vision: transforming the protection and restoration of seagrasses into a structured practice, supported by adequate financial policies and strong stakeholder involvement". 

Arnaud Terrisse, lead project partner, expressed satisfaction with the Greek days of ARTEMIS. "Here in Heraklion, we are closing the first phase of the project and inaugurating the second, the implementation phase," he stated. "Various issues were addressed and problems solved together with all partners. Now we are ready to proceed with restoration in the different pilot sites, as well as use all the information collected to work on financial and governance aspects, with the aim of leaving a concrete legacy for the restoration and conservation of Posidonia in the Mediterranean". 

The next meeting will likely be at the Monfalcone pilot site in autumn, where the ARTEMIS team will continue to work on consolidating results and expanding the impact of their actions. 

ARTEMIS Team in Heraklion from March 5 to 6, 2025