Bluewave Days Celebrate Their 3rd Edition and Mobilize Thousands to Restore the Health of the Mediterranean
The Bluewave Alliance celebrates its annual event from May 30 to June 8, hosting over 60 activities along the Spanish coast to raise awareness about the need to protect the Mediterranean Sea.
The third edition of Bluewave Days will kick off on May 30 and run until June 8, with activities aimed at protecting and regenerating life in the Mediterranean organized in locations across the entire Spanish coastline. The Bluewave Alliance, driven by ISDIN, which brings together purpose-driven companies, institutions, sustainability entrepreneurs, and the scientific community, is presenting more than 60 actions, expecting the participation of over 2,500 people. The initiative aims to raise awareness about the challenges facing seas and oceans and invites the public to be part of the solution.
The main event of this edition, the Symposium, will take place in Barcelona on June 3 at the new Port Olímpic of Barcelona. The day will feature prominent speakers such as Zafer Kizilkaya, recipient of the 2023 Goldman Environmental Prize for his work expanding Marine Protected Areas along Turkey's coast; Michel André, one of the world’s foremost experts in bioacoustics; and Olivia Mandle, a young environmental activist and ambassador for the European Climate Pact of the European Commission. Committed organizations and entities will also be represented, with participation from the alliance's ambassador, former synchronized swimmer and Olympic champion Ona Carbonell.
Following the symposium, the Bluewave Awards Night will take place to recognize outstanding professionals who contribute to the restoration of the health and beauty of the Mediterranean. This will all take place at the new Bluewave Alliance venue at the Port Olímpic of Barcelona, which will be inaugurated for the occasion.
Beyond the Symposium and Awards Night, the Bluewave Fest will feature more than 60 activities throughout the Spanish Mediterranean coast to raise public awareness and promote the protection and regeneration of seas and oceans. In total, more than 79 organizations and companies across 36 venues are participating, including the Costa Brava Diving Centers Association – Costa Brava Sub, the Costa Brava Girona Tourism Board, Ocean Ecostructures, the Vellmarí Association, Studio 46 Barcelona, the Oceavida Association, Anèl·lides Serveis Ambientals Marins, and IED Barcelona. Additionally, BioMARató activities organized by the Institut de Ciències del Mar (ICM-CSIC) will encourage public participation in documenting marine biodiversity to improve its knowledge and protection.
One example of the activities included in Bluewave Fest is the Bluewave Day for Ocean Week in Barcelona and Málaga, in collaboration with Volvo Ditevo and Caser. This initiative will feature two simultaneous activities: snorkeling guided by marine biologists to explore marine biodiversity and collect waste from the breakwaters, and waste collection on the beach.
In Costa Brava, collective beach and seabed cleanups have been organized in various locations such as Llafranc, Llançà, Sant Feliu de Guíxols, L’Escala, and Blanes. In Palamós, visitors will be able to explore the Marina Palamós SegRegLab and learn about the marine species cultivated in the port to regenerate ecosystems.
Meanwhile, in L’Estartit, Alex Avello, ethologist, environmental educator, and collaborator with National Geographic Spain, will conduct a guided diving course with training sessions on marine conservation, biodiversity, and environmental communication. This will take place in the stunning surroundings of the Medes Islands, Montgrí, and Baix Ter Natural Park. Additionally, in this area, Josep Pascual, a leading expert in marine observation and supported by the scientific community after over 50 years of measuring Mediterranean temperature, will share his experience in a conference.
In other coastal locations, such as Formentera, educational activities will be organized for school groups to identify both good and bad human practices that impact the health of the Mediterranean. Furthermore, Bluewave Fest offers opportunities for public involvement beyond June, such as participating in the planting of Posidonia oceanica on the island.
Other examples of activities during Bluewave Days include the search and identification of orange coral larvae during a full moon night in Almuñécar, organized by MedCoral, and the Young Algaeneers Symposium (YAS) in Almería. This event will serve as a space for exchanging knowledge between professionals in the sector and the study of microalgae and marine algae. In the autonomous city of Ceuta, Bluewave Fest will also be present with an inclusive diving baptism day for at-risk youth.
Related content
A milestone for the Mediterranean: 100,000 posidonia shoots replanted in the Balearic Islands alongside the Vellmarí Association
This historic achievement marks over five years of continuous work restoring the Balearic archipelago's underwater meadows. As one of the foundational projects driven by the Bluewave Alliance with ongoing support from ISDIN since day one, the initiative proves that long-term commitment turns purpose into real impact.
Community in action on World Cleanup Day: over 1,300 cigarette butts and 18 kg of waste removed to fight invisible pollution
A new beach cleanup led by the Bluewave Alliance and ISDIN mobilized volunteers along the coast once again for World Cleanup Day. In just over an hour of coordinated work, the team removed over 18.5 kg of waste and more than 1,300 cigarette butts, highlighting the threat posed by small-scale waste contaminating beaches and marine ecosystems.
Mission Talbot explores the Talbot Bank, a Mediterranean underwater refuge supported by the Bluewave Alliance
Led by researchers and filmmakers Andrea and Marco Spinelli, this scientific campaign analyzed a seamount located between Sicily and Tunisia. Following the expedition, initial observations reveal an ecosystem with low human pressure, abundant biodiversity, and an exceptionally preserved food web.
.jpeg)
The Bluewave Alliance and Olivia Mandle premiere the Searching for HOPE audiovisual project to highlight marine conservation success in Turkey
This new outreach initiative journeys through the Marine Protected Areas of Gökova and Datça-Bozburun alongside the Mediterranean Conservation Society (Akdeniz Koruma Dernği), led by Zafer Kizilkaya. The first two installments of this nine-part short video series are now available, demonstrating that Mediterranean regeneration is an achievable reality.
IED Barcelona communication students present their final projects based on the Plastic Free Oceans initiative at the Bluewave Alliance Space
The showcase concluded another year of collaboration between both institutions, during which IED Barcelona Marketing and Communication students worked to devise new business lines, strategic approaches, and communication plans around the project driven alongside Gravity Wave.
