About the Project
Healthy seas, healthy blue economies, resilient todays and futures!
Today the ocean economy generates approximately €1.3 trillion annually, and projections suggest that it could more than double by 2030. This growth - commonly referred to as “Blue Growth” - is envisioned to be achieved through the smart, sustainable and inclusive use of the vast potential offered by seas and oceans, while safeguarding their health, productivity, security, safety, and resilience. The overarching goal is to enable various marine and maritime industries - including maritime transport, marine and coastal tourism, capture fisheries, aquaculture, biotechnology, renewable energy, mining/drilling and research as well as blue growth - to unlock this potential in ways that contribute to global food security, energy and raw material supply, human health, societal well-being, employment, and overall economic prosperity as well as ecosystem restoration and climate regulation.
Global Challenges Facing Oceans, Ocean Sectors and Societies
Oceans, maritime sectors and coastal communities are increasingly exposed to interconnected global challenges that threaten their long-term stability and collective resilience. Climate change, resource overexploitation, biodiversity loss, marine pollution, and accelerating human activities at sea are putting unprecedented pressure on marine ecosystems. These pressures not only degrade ocean health, but also disrupt economic flows, compromise food and energy security, deepen regional inequalities, and amplify vulnerabilities across sectors and societies. Rapid environmental shifts, digitalization gaps, skills mismatches, and the absence of inclusive governance mechanisms further constrain the ability of maritime industries and institutions to respond effectively. As the demand on ocean space intensifies, building resilience across ecosystems, economies and communities is becoming a defining challenge for the decades ahead.
How the EU Contributes to Overcoming These Global Challenges
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In response to the growing complexity and urgency of global ocean challenges, the European Union has adopted a wide range of cross-cutting policies, legal frameworks and funding mechanisms to promote the health, sustainable use and protection of marine and maritime ecosystems. These include comprehensive environmental regulations, climate and energy targets, ocean governance initiatives, and strategic actions focused on decarbonization, circular economy, digital transition and ecosystem-based management. Complementing these policy instruments, the EU has invested significantly in research and innovation through programmes such as Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe, supporting over 2,000 projects in the fields of maritime transport, marine and coastal tourism, capture fisheries, aquaculture, biotechnology, renewable energy, mining/drilling and research, blue growth and more. These projects not only generate scientific knowledge and technological innovation, but also build collaborative networks, strengthen capacity across Member States, and develop practical solutions to support evidence-based policymaking. Together, these efforts form a multi-layered response that connects science, industry, governance and society—laying the groundwork for a resilient, productive and inclusive blue economy.
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Why Ocean Ecosystem Health Matters
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Ecosystem resilience and resistance
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Control of invasive species
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Suppression of overpopulating species
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Prevention of species extinction
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Oceanic carbon sequestration capacity
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Sustainability of marine-based sectors
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Balance in water quality and oxygen levels
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Protection of human health and the blue economy
Why Maritime Ecosystem Health Matters
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Increases economic resilience
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Enables environmentally responsible growth
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Creates cross-sector synergies
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Invests in future generations (jobs, education, careers)
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Contributes to emission reduction
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Triggers technological innovation and investment
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Strengthens legal frameworks and regulatory development
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Enhances crisis response and systemic adaptability
Blue Growth Captains
A Systemic Impact Strengthening the Marine and Maritime Ecosystem
The European Union’s cross-cutting policies, legal frameworks and funding mechanisms to promote the health, sustainable use and protection of marine and maritime ecosystems have generated remarkable outcomes. However, their value depends not only on their design, but also on how effectively they are embraced and utilized by ocean societies, maritime sectors, and decision-making processes. Ensuring that this knowledge circulates across all levels of society—particularly among younger generations who represent our future—is essential for the long-term health and sustainability of the marine and maritime ecosystem.
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The project aims to enhance access to leading marine and maritime researchers, research, and research organizations, while promoting the efficient circulation and exploitation of research results across all segments of society. By embedding research into the daily flow of information, Blue Growth Captains contributes to increasing the environmental, economic and societal resilience of marine and maritime ecosystems in the face of ongoing and future challenges.
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The project pursues its mission through two complementary approaches:
1) Blue Growth Captains critically analyzes the structure and functioning of the marine and maritime ecosystems, identifying which projects, policies and regulations have been implemented to address key research and innovation priorities. It utilizes the AGMS Database—covering over 2,000 EU-funded maritime projects developed under the open-access mandates of Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe and hundreds of policy and regulatory frameworks —and the AGMS Network, a strategic, multi-layered structure mapping key actors across maritime sectors, including private companies, academia, NGOs, public institutions and entrepreneurship ecosystems. Detailed project descriptions and access links are published on the website. Complementary outputs such as white papers and short documentary films will be distributed to the key actors, reinforcing top-down awareness and uptake.
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2) The project’s international network includes 300+ flagship projects coordinated by 200+ institutions, which will serve as access points for researchers and experts to connect with schools in different regions. Researchers will engage with students, inspire scientific curiosity, and present maritime science as a viable and exciting career path. Through this school outreach component, the project aims to strengthen civic awareness while embedding ocean literacy into future generations.
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Our network is fully inclusive, welcoming researchers, private sector experts and schools from all around the world.
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Together, we can redesign the future.