The Bluewave Awards 2026 honor excellence in marine science, conservation, and awareness
The Bluewave Alliance's annual gala recognized the career paths of Àlex Aguilar, Josep Pascual, and Carlota Bruna for their exceptional contributions to protecting the Mediterranean. The awards celebrate the impact of interdisciplinary talent as an essential driver to reverse ocean degradation.
.jpg)
The Port Olímpic dressed up to host the Awards Night, the grand finale of Bluewave Days 2026. These annual awards, promoted by the Bluewave Alliance, aim to highlight and reward the efforts of professionals, scientists, and communicators who dedicate their lives to restoring health and balance to the Mediterranean Sea, inspiring society to be part of the change.
This year's edition focused on three fundamental pillars for the blue movement: the rigor of scientific research, the perseverance of on-the-field conservation, and the transforming power of mass communication.
.jpg)
Three benchmarks for a community in action
The winners of the Bluewave Awards 2026 reflect the diversity of disciplines required to face today's climate and ecological challenges:
Àlex Aguilar - Bluewave Science Award
Recognized for his outstanding career in marine research and his pivotal role in understanding Mediterranean ecosystems. His scientific work has been key to providing the data and rigor necessary to establish effective protection policies in the basin.
Josep Pascual - Bluewave Conservation Award
Awarded for his tireless monitoring efforts and unwavering commitment to coastal observation. Pascual represents the perseverance and value of accumulated local knowledge, an indispensable asset for historically understanding climate evolution along our coastline.
Carlota Bruna - Bluewave Awareness Award
Honored for her extraordinary ability to connect with the general public and mobilize awareness. Through digital communication and purposeful storytelling, Bruna has succeeded in placing the urgency of the ocean crisis on the agenda of new generations, turning information into collective action.
A legacy in the making
The awards ceremony not only served to honor the individual paths of the three winners but also to consolidate the collaborative spirit of the Bluewave Alliance community. The gathering reaffirmed that marine restoration requires a cross-cutting alliance where science provides knowledge, conservation provides direct action, and awareness provides the social drive to turn projects into tangible realities.
With this recognition, the Bluewave Awards close their 2026 edition by setting a benchmark for commitment and excellence, reminding us that every effort counts toward securing the future of our blue heritage.
.jpg)
.jpg)
Related content
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.
.JPG)
The Bluewave Alliance drives the Sponge-Port project to renature port environments using sea sponges and artificial intelligence
The initiative is taking place at Port Marina Palamós alongside Ocean Ecostructures and CEAB-CSIC, made possible through the support of ISDIN and the Fundació Banc Sabadell. Through the pre-seeding of local species such as Chondrosia reniformis, the pilot project aims to purify coastal waters and turn degraded artificial structures into true havens for biodiversity.
.jpeg)
Felipe Costa’s "Colors for Corals" exhibition fills the Bluewave Alliance space in the Port Olímpic with life
The showcase blends contemporary artistic creation with direct ecological impact on the marine environment. The proceeds raised from the artwork sales are fully dedicated to funding the reef restoration project led by the Coral Soul organization in the Mediterranean.
Mass cleanup during Bluewave Days in Barcelona removes 127 kg of waste through citizen action
Coinciding with World Oceans Day, the Bluewave Alliance highlights the results of the coastal and underwater cleanup held in the Catalan capital. More than a hundred volunteers demonstrated the power of social mobilization to restore the health of the Mediterranean coastline.
.jpg)
Alliances for the Mediterranean: Bluewave Alliance and ISDIN join the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation for its 10th anniversary
Juan Naya, CEO of ISDIN and President of the Bluewave Alliance, participated in the sustainability forum held in Madrid, where the value of multi-sector cooperation was highlighted. During the event, the SeaSpore project was presented as an example of innovation applied to marine regeneration.
