NEWS: BLUEQ Project Successfully Completes Field Visit in Croatia

From 7 to 9 July 2026, the BLUEQ Project – Applied Solutions for Monitoring Coastal Habitats and Quantifying Blue Carbon Storage: An Integrated Approach for Sustainable Ecosystem Management successfully organized the last field visit of the project in the Žut–Sit Island Group and Šibenik, Croatia. Hosted by the Public Institution Nature of Šibenik-Knin County, the event brought together project partners, environmental experts, researchers, and practitioners from across the Adriatic-Ionian region to exchange knowledge, strengthen cooperation, and explore innovative approaches for the protection and sustainable management of coastal and marine ecosystems.

The first two days of the agenda were dedicated to the sampling. Field visit was designed to provide participants with practical experience in monitoring coastal habitats and assessing Blue Carbon ecosystems, while facilitating the exchange of scientific knowledge, methodologies, and best practices among project partners. During the first two days, activities were carried out on Murter Island, where participants conducted fieldwork and sample collection, gaining first-hand insight into techniques used for monitoring marine habitats and evaluating the ecological status of coastal environments.

The final day of the programme featured a study visit to St. Nicholas’ Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as part of the followed by a closing session at the St. Anthony’s Channel Visitor Centre. During this session, experts from Kornati National Park presented successful conservation practices and shared experiences from the BIOPRESSADRIA Project, highlighting the impacts of human activities on marine and coastal ecosystems.

The day was finalized with a partners meeting to discuss the technical elements of the project. The field visit represented an important milestone in the implementation of the BLUEQ Project, providing an excellent platform for transnational cooperation, peer learning, and the exchange of technical expertise. By combining field observations with scientific discussions and practical demonstrations, the activity contributed to strengthening the capacity of project partners to develop innovative and harmonized approaches for monitoring coastal habitats and enhancing blue carbon storage across the Adriatic-Ionian region.

Through initiatives such as this, the BLUEQ Project continues to promote sustainable ecosystem management, support evidence-based environmental decision-making, and reinforce cooperation among institutions committed to preserving marine biodiversity and increasing climate resilience in coastal areas.