On 30 May 2025, from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM, the Darwin-Dohrn Museum at the Anton Dohrn Zoological Station in Naples will host the event “Waves of Innovation: Science, Fishing and the Future of the Sea”, promoted by the Institute for Research on Innovation and Services for Development (CNR-IRISS) and the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, Cultural Heritage (CNR-DSU), with the support of the Anton Dohrn Zoological Station and the Dohrn Foundation.

The initiative is part of the European Maritime Day 2025 programme and aims to foster a multidisciplinary dialogueon sustainable fishing, the conservation of marine ecosystems, and the opportunities offered by blue growth. The event provides a space for researchers, students, and the wider community to engage in discussions and promote a culture of protection and sustainable development of marine resources, with a particular focus on youth engagement and the sharing of knowledge, innovative practices, and inspiring experiences.

To this end, several activities developed by CNR and its partners—both nationally and internationally—will be presented, highlighting the importance of responsible fishing and its impact on ocean health, while showcasing recent scientific and technological advances in the field.

The event will open with the screening of the video “Fiji Blue Fishing”, a project funded by the SWITCH-Asia programme and coordinated by CNR-IRISS in partnership with European and Fijian institutions. The project represents a best practice in international cooperation and the adoption of sustainable local practices with positive impacts on coastal communities. A video message from the Fijian partners will also be shared as a contribution to the global reflection on the future of the oceans, on the occasion of World Oceans Week.

The event will involve several CNR institutes, including the Institute for Studies on the Mediterranean (CNR-ISMed), the Institute for Agricultural and Forest Systems in the Mediterranean (CNR-ISAFoM), and the Institute of Applied Sciences and Intelligent Systems (CNR-ISASI), all contributing with multidisciplinary research and perspectives.

The programme will begin with a guided visit to the Darwin-Dohrn Museum, followed by a keynote speech by Prof. Giorgio Budillon (Vice-Rector, University of Naples “Parthenope”) on climate change and the sea. Institutional greetings will be delivered by the EU Delegation for the Pacific.

A session dedicated to the role of research in blue growth will then follow, with contributions from Monica Gambino(CNR-ISMed, on behalf of Prof. Salvatore Capasso, Director of CNR-DSU), Paolo Landri (Director, CNR-IRISS), Vincenzo Saggiomo (Vice-President, Dohrn Foundation), and Antonio Terlizzi (Director, Department of Integrated Marine Ecology, Anton Dohrn Zoological Station).

The morning will continue with a series of Ignite Talks, short thematic presentations moderated by Gabriella Esposito (CNR-IRISS), structured in three main sections:

• Exploring the Sea: topics will include maritime boundaries, economic valuation of marine space, biodiversity, and digital tools for marine knowledge.
•  Sea at Risk: discussions will cover urgent issues such as food safety and microplastics, endangered marine species, citizen rights to the sea, and raising risk awareness.
• Opportunities in Blue Growth: this section will focus on marine protected areas, the role of women and youth in sustainable fishing, circular economy in marine contexts, and alternative governance models for marine ecosystems.

Special attention will be given to student engagement, with opportunities to take part in interactive activities and debates on sustainability. An app designed to reveal myths and hidden truths about the sea will support active learning, encouraging critical thinking and greater youth participation in science and civic life.

The event will close with an open discussion, with contributions from Anna Papa (President, Interdepartmental School of Economics and Law, University of Naples “Parthenope”), Ivo Rendina (Director, CNR-ISASI), Vincenzo Saggiomo(Dohrn Foundation), and Antonio Terlizzi (Anton Dohrn Zoological Station), who will reflect on future perspectives for the protection and enhancement of the sea.