Development Policy Foundation

Ustka Low Trophic Aquaculture Enabler is an Associated Region project under ULTFARMS – Circular Low Trophic Offshore Aquaculture in Wind Farms and Restoration of Marine Space, funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe Programme.

The project supports the integration of low-trophic aquaculture, such as seaweed and mussel farming, within offshore wind farm areas in the Polish Baltic Sea. By combining renewable energy and sustainable aquaculture, Ustka Low Trophic Aquaculture Enabler aims to develop a practical roadmap for multi-use marine spaces, assess legal, environmental, technical, and economic feasibility, strengthen collaboration among key stakeholders, and promote nature-based solutions that enhance marine biodiversity and ecosystem health.

Over the coming months, activities will include feasibility assessments, environmental monitoring through marine sensors, stakeholder workshops, and collaborative planning processes to support the development of the Low-Trophic Aquaculture Roadmap. Building on expertise and lessons learned from the ULTFARMS initiative, the project will help optimize cultivation methods, support sustainable business models, foster cooperation between aquaculture and offshore wind sectors, and promote knowledge sharing across the region.

By bridging offshore renewable energy and sustainable aquaculture, Ustka Low Trophic Aquaculture Enabler contributes to a cleaner Baltic Sea, stronger coastal communities, and a more resilient blue economy for Europe’s future.

Ghost nets, lost or abandoned fishing nets, are one of the most persistent and dangerous forms of marine pollution. Invisible beneath the surface, they continue trapping marine life for decades while slowly breaking down into microplastics that threaten ecosystems and human health.

In Iskenderun Bay, Türkiye, the SeaClear2.0 – Ghost Nets Hunter project is taking action.

During its first implementation phase, the project brought together fishermen, coastal guards, environmental experts, and local authorities, building a powerful, cross-sector network to protect the bay. A launch workshop in Samandağ (March 2025) helped map ghost net hotspots, exchange local knowledge, and establish a shared strategy for action.

A major breakthrough came through collaboration with DegzRobotics. A customized underwater drone was developed, successfully field-tested in October 2025, and is now fully operational, detecting and documenting ghost nets while collecting images and GPS data to build a live database of underwater pollution hotspots.

At the same time, onshore efforts revealed the scale of the problem. During a beach clean-up in Çevlik (September 2025), over 80% of collected waste was plastic, a stark reminder that marine pollution is both visible and hidden.

But we’re not stopping at detection. We’re closing the loop.

Through our SeaClean upcycling workshop, recovered ghost nets are transformed into plastic interceptors, innovative tools designed to stop even more plastic from entering rivers and seas. This approach connects the full cycle in action: from mapping and detection, to responsible low-impact recovery in sensitive habitats, and finally to repurposing waste into practical solutions.

What was once deadly marine debris is now part of the solution.

Looking ahead, the project will continue expanding underwater mapping efforts, engaging more local volunteers, and scaling up recycling into useful products such as agricultural nets, turning marine waste into local economic value.

Because Samandağ is more than a coastline, it’s a critical “last line of defense” before waste reaches the Mediterranean, and a home to sea turtles and over 300 migratory bird species.

Tangier’s coastline, where industry, urban growth, and the Mediterranean meet, is under pressure from untreated discharges and runoff. In this semi-confined zone, pollutants accumulate without real-time monitoring, posing risks to ecosystems, fisheries, and public health.

This project introduces a real-time water quality monitoring system, tracking pollutants like heavy metals and PFAS. Building on the RHE-MEDiation approach tested in Turkey, it delivers continuous data for faster, evidence-based decisions and broader Mediterranean relevance.

RHE-MEDiation combines advanced monitoring with microalgae-based treatment systems integrated into existing infrastructure, enhancing the removal of heavy metals, pesticides, PFAS, and other persistent pollutants. Mobile and fixed sensors will track contamination in real time, with data feeding into EMODnet and contributing to the Digital Twin of the Ocean.

The project strengthens institutional capacity and delivers a roadmap for scale-up, enabling replication in other Moroccan coastal zones such as Nador, Ksar El Kebir, and Tetouan. While no direct remediation occurs yet, baseline data will guide future interventions, including improved treatment systems and investments like the GREEN DUNE photobioreactor, while clarifying that such technologies are not part of this 9-month pilot but remain within long-term feasibility planning.

The approach focuses on institutional anchoring, embedding monitoring systems and data use into governance structures. It strengthens environmental enforcement, supports long-term planning, and contributes to national strategies, positioning Tangier as a model for evidence-based marine pollution management.

Aligned with the EU Mission “Restore our Ocean and Waters,” the project advances a shift from reactive to proactive water governance, laying the foundation for scalable, data-driven solutions across Morocco and the Mediterranean.