TRAININGS: A shared vision across pilot sites
24/02/2026
BIOPRESSADRIA Trainings: Building Knowledge to Protect the Adriatic Sea
Within the BIOPRESSADRIA project, training activities represent a core action to strengthen capacities across pilot sites and translate scientific knowledge into effective coastal governance. The courses took place between November 2025 and February 2026 at the Italian project pilot sites, in two different coastal areas: Southern and Northern Adriatic. The training programmes share the same strategic objective: protecting marine and coastal habitats from anthropogenic pressures through innovative monitoring tools, marine spatial planning approaches and strengthened participatory governance.
By investing in knowledge, skills, and collaboration, BIOPRESSADRIA is seeking to build a more resilient and sustainable management of the Adriatic Sea.
Capacity Building in Southern Adriatic: Porto Cesareo MPA
The first training cycle was completed at the Marine Protected Area of Porto Cesareo, where a seven-module course on marine monitoring techniques ran from November 2025 to January 2026.
Promoted within BIOPRESSADRIA and coordinated by CoNISMa, the programme strengthened the scientific and operational skills of MPA operators and research technicians. Under the scientific coordination of Prof. Antonio Terlizzi (University of Trieste), and with contributions from experts from ARPA Puglia and the Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, participants received high-level academic and technical training aligned with European monitoring standards and the Marine Strategy Framework Directive.
The course combined theoretical sessions with field activities, transforming the Porto Cesareo MPA into a living laboratory. Participants had the opportunity to enhance their expertise in phytoplankton and zooplankton sampling, fish population assessments, microplastics and eDNA monitoring, beach litter surveys, underwater monitoring of benthic habitats, and restoration techniques for degraded seafloors such as seagrass meadows.
Beyond technical competence, the training enhanced the capacity to generate policy-relevant data — a crucial step for informed marine spatial planning and adaptive coastal management.
From Knowledge to Governance: Monfalcone Pilot Site
The two-day workshop focused on protecting seagrass meadows and translating ecological knowledge into concrete coastal management solutions. Bringing together administrators, local authorities, researchers, operators and students, the training fostered cross-sector dialogue and participatory approaches to governance.
High-level experts provided in-depth insights into the ecological role of Posidonia and Cymodocea meadows, their ecosystem services, and the main human pressures affecting them. A key outcome was the recognition of the need for a paradigm shift: seagrass meadows must be understood as strategic marine ecosystems essential to biodiversity, coastal resilience and the overall health of the Adriatic Sea.
The second phase of the training moved from theory to action, introducing planning tools, participatory governance models, co-creation exercises and operational recommendations for Integrated Operational Plans. Particular attention was given to practical solutions, such as eco-friendly anchoring systems that can reduce direct impacts on sensitive habitats. During the 2-day training course, the participants had the opportunity to test their knowledge in participatory labs.
A Shared Vision Across Pilot Sites
While differing in structure and duration, the Porto Cesareo and Monfalcone trainings are complementary expressions of the same project vision.
In Porto Cesareo, the focus was on strengthening advanced monitoring skills and scientific standardisation. In Monfalcone, the emphasis shifted towards governance, spatial planning and co-designed management solutions.
Together, they contribute to a coherent capacity-building pathway that empowers professionals, institutions and stakeholders to address anthropogenic pressures through both concrete technical tools and conceptual innovations — from improved environmental monitoring and eco-mooring systems to marine spatial planning and participatory coastal governance.
Through these actions, BIOPRESSADRIA is fostering a more knowledgeable, connected and proactive Adriatic community — equipped to protect marine and coastal habitats today and in the years to come.