Reflections on a Successful “Norwegian EU Mission Ocean Day” Conference

A-AAGORA was represented in Trondheim (Norway), at the “Norwegian EU Mission Ocean Day” Conference, organized by the Norwegian Ministry of Climate and Environment, the Norwegian Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries, the Research Council of Norway, Innovation Norway, NIVA, and SINTEF Ocean

Last week, A-AAGORA team members had the privilege of attending an inspiring conference at the Radisson Blu Royal Garden Hotel in Trondheim (NO), focused on the EU’s Mission to “Restore our Ocean and Waters by 2030” – a mission that’s driving transformative environmental action across Europe and beyond.

The event brought together stakeholders from research, business, municipalities and national authorities to share knowledge, solutions and best practices from European projects and explore how these can be implemented in Norway’s unique context.

_{Photos above, as well as cover photo, kindly provided by SINTEF Ocean}

Why this mattered for A‑AAGORA

This conference was particularly relevant for A‑AAGORA, considering it aims to demonstrate how ecosystem‑based management and nature‑based solutions can boost climate resilience and inform scalable restoration strategies in coastal communities, including in Norway.

A‑AAGORA’s approach to mobilizing local stakeholders and fostering collaboration aligns strongly with the conference’s goals – strengthening connections between local, regional and European efforts toward a sustainable, climate‑neutral blue economy.

_{Photos above kindly provided by SINTEF Ocean}

Mona Benjaminsen, Mayor of Karlsøy Municipality, introduced the A-AAGORA project during the opening session, highlighting its alignment with local efforts to restore marine ecosystems and integrate sustainable practices within communities and businesses in Norway.

In the Restoration and Protection of Water and Oceans session, Stine E. A. Nøding from the Nordkvaløya-Rebbenesøya Protected Area Board presented a case study on the challenges and opportunities faced by the protected area as part of EU projects. This was followed by a panel discussion on stakeholder involvement in marine conservation, where Stine also shared her expertise alongside other experts, addressing the key challenges of collaboration and engagement in marine conservation.

Vera Hausner from UiT The Arctic University of Norway, representing A-AAGORA, contributed to the Public Involvement session. She shared insights on how the project has successfully engaged people in ocean and water management, participating in a panel discussion about the different levels of involvement, from basic information sharing to co-creation with local communities.

In a session focused on Restoration and Ecosystem-Based Management, Wenting Chen and Camilla Fagerli, both from Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA) and A-AAGORA, presented their work on kelp restoration. Wenting Chen discussed the economic values of nature-based climate adaptation, while Camilla Fagerli shared a “Blueprint” for Kelp Forest Restoration, outlining how local mobilization and cross-sector collaboration can drive successful ecosystem restoration. Both presentations contributed to the ongoing dialogue about how to scale these efforts effectively.

The Restoration session also featured a panel discussion on large-scale kelp restoration, with Camilla Fagerli and Maren Christine Hansen participating alongside other experts. The discussion centered on what is needed in terms of knowledge, innovation, industry, and local participation to ensure the success of restoration plans like those commissioned by the Norwegian Parliament.

Huge thanks to the organizers for facilitating such an impactful gathering. We at A-AAGORA continue looking forward to continuing the momentum and contributing to shared goals for our oceans and waters!