The 39th edition of Goletta Verde, Legambiente’s historic summer campaign defending Italy’s waters and coasts, arrived in Cagliari, Sardinia, on July 24 and 25, 2025. Now in its 39th year, the campaign monitors the health of seas and coastlines while promoting biodiversity, water purification, renewable energy, and climate crisis mitigation. The Sardinian leg included the conference “Clean Industrial Deal: remediation, decarbonization, innovation for the future of Sardinia” and the scientific aperitif “Deep Blue. The fragile future of the Mediterranean,” highlighting ongoing regional conservation and research efforts.

We, at the EFFECTIVE project, were represented by Claudia Pala, Project Specialist of One Ocean Foundation, who spoke about the project’s objectives and activities in the framework of Pilot 3 in Northern Sardinia. Our project aims to shape a sustainable Mediterranean Blue Future by promoting large-scale marine protected areas in European seas, contributing to the EU goal of protecting 30% of marine areas by 2030. We focus on applying the Ecosystem-Based Management System (EBMS) to support the protection and restoration of the EU’s Mediterranean Blue Natural Capital.

Through Pilot 3 in Northern Sardinia, we are implementing EBMS in protected areas, combining scientific research, technological solutions, and stakeholder engagement. The pilot builds on local knowledge and research, including studies conducted in the Caprera Canyon, and demonstrates how integrated approaches can strengthen conservation management while fostering participation and collaboration among local stakeholders.

The EFFECTIVE project brings together 22 partners from 12 European countries, spanning universities, research organizations, SMEs, public institutions, and solution providers. Across four pilot sites — Mar de l’Empordà and Ebro Delta in Spain, Northern Sardinia in Italy, and Cavo Greco in Cyprus — we develop innovative approaches to marine ecosystem management and restoration. By integrating multiple observation and monitoring scales with governance and social engagement, we aim to provide comprehensive scientific guidance and practical tools for the sustainable management and restoration of Mediterranean marine ecosystems.