The University of Alicante (UA) and Miguel Hernández University in Elche (UMH), working alongside the Ministry of Economy, are mapping a strategic plan for the Valencian Community’s maritime sectors. The effort aims to boost tourism, fishing, and sailing while prioritizing sustainability and environmental care, and it also seeks to welcome new activities that complement the coast’s economic fabric. The plan was unveiled during the International Blue Economy Congress, held this Thursday at the Ocean Race Museum in Alicante, with industry experts lending their experience to the discussion.
During the event, Economy Minister Rafa Climent announced the draft of what is being called the blue strategy. Beyond the traditional maritime sectors, the document will address growing areas such as aquaculture, marine energy, and biotechnologies. The plan envisions a public-private roadmap that aligns funding with measurable progress and concrete milestones, ensuring resources flow to initiatives that meet established goals.
Active involvement from the Blue Economics Chair will shape the strategy, alongside participation from the UAE-backed Universities of Marine Sciences and Biology. The collaboration will include Administrative Law and Economics at both universities, as well as Political Science and Environmental Sciences at UMH. Leaders Amparo Navarro of UA and Miguel Hérnandez, UMH’s vice rector for transfer, underscored the value of the joint effort and the pivotal role a national framework can play in advancing this sectorwide initiative.
Fernando de Rojas, director of the President, noted that almost all coastal communities in Valencia are currently awaiting a formal blue strategy, with Murcia also moving toward its development. He praised Rafa Climent’s active engagement and suggested that once European funds become available, the region will be well positioned to accelerate adoption and implementation across municipalities and industries.
In parallel, José Vicente Soler, Managing Director of Sustainable Economy, explained that preliminary studies have already reached out to all sectors affected by the plan. This early outreach is designed to streamline the preparation process so that work can commence promptly and progress can be measured against clear benchmarks.
Awards
The Blue Economy leadership teams from UA, UMH, and the Ministry of Economy recognized several young entrepreneurs for their innovative contributions. The first prize went to the Mare Nostrum project, supported by Andrea Rivas, Blanca Fernández, Laura Navarro, Tamara Martínez, and Andrea Sotoca. Their work focuses on compressing and recycling cellulose from Posidonia oceanica to produce sustainable textiles and protective materials. The second prize honored Biolamps, presented by Candela Hernández, Karla Pérez, Mikel Sánchez, and Pablo Villafranca, which replaces traditional lighting with bioluminescent technology. The third prize went to Biospirulin, led by Javier López, Aleksandra Rosenova, Pau Piera, Daniel Serrano, and Marina Harzi, which aims to scale spirulina production for industrial use. The ceremony featured representatives from all three projects, highlighting a new generation of coastal innovators.