The Cantabria coast is welcoming the Blue Expedition, a travelling awareness campaign led by Diputación Foral de Gipuzkoa, the lead partner of the BluePoint project. This inspiring initiative seeks to raise public awareness about marine litter, especially plastic pollution, and its serious impact on biodiversity, human health, and the marine economy.
Under the slogan “Let’s stop the invasion of marine plastics”, the Blue Expedition is joining forces with the eco-active museum ship MATER to bring its message to coastal communities. Throughout October, the campaign will sail along the Cantabrian coast, with scheduled stops in the ports of Pasaia, Santander, and Avilés.
At each port, visitors can take part in a four-day programme of activities designed to engage schools, families, and local stakeholders. These events will include educational workshops, interactive exhibitions, and outreach sessions aimed at promoting responsible behaviour towards our seas.
Beyond raising awareness, the Blue Expedition, supported by Interreg Atlantic Area, encourages the participation of key regional stakeholders in Cantabria. One of the campaign’s main goals is to empower maritime institutions, both public and private, to become Blue Ambassadors. This is a first step toward building a network of maritime entities dedicated to protecting and defending the ocean.
Cantabrian institutions are collaborating with partners from Portugal, France, and Ireland to develop a shared model for sustainable maritime practices. This transnational effort aims to help the Atlantic maritime sector become more efficient, resilient, and circular in its use of resources, setting an example for other coastal regions to follow.
