On 25 May, the Romanian National Hub held its event The Algae Forum: Awareness, Potential and Local Partnerships in Constanța, which brought together researchers, public authorities, NGOs, businesses and students to explore the ecological and economic value of algae in the Black Sea region. The Romanian National Hub has now published the event report, which highlights how algae‑related activities can support sustainable aquaculture, marine restoration and blue‑economy development under the Common Maritime Agenda. Organised in synergy with the C‑QUEST project, the forum also contributed to ongoing efforts to strengthen knowledge, awareness and stakeholder engagement around algae and marine habitat restoration in Romania.
Exploring the Ecological and Economic Value of Algae
Discussions highlighted the growing interest in algae cultivation as an emerging sector with the potential to support environmental protection, climate mitigation and coastal resilience. Participants examined how algae can contribute to carbon capture, improve water quality through biofiltration systems and provide new opportunities for sustainable aquaculture in Romania. Insights from ongoing research projects and practical experiences illustrated both the promise of algae‑based solutions and the technical challenges associated with implementing them in the Black Sea environment.
Algae Cultivation and Marine Habitat Restoration
The forum explored the links between algae‑related activities and broader marine restoration efforts. Presentations from the Dobrogea‑Litoral Water Basin Administration, the Institute of Biology Bucharest and Van Oord showcased ongoing work on coastal erosion mitigation, seagrass and macroalgae transplantation and nature‑based solutions for coastal resilience. These contributions demonstrated that Romania is gaining valuable experience in restoration techniques, despite the constraints posed by local hydrodynamic and chemical conditions.
The ALGAWA project added a complementary perspective by presenting floating wetlands as an innovative green infrastructure for pollution reduction. By combining macrophytes and macroalgae in nature‑based biofilters, the project offers a holistic approach to improving water quality while generating biomass that can be sustainably valorised.
The C‑QUEST project, presented by Mare Nostrum and the Institute of Biology Bucharest, reinforced the importance of studying environmental conditions for Cystoseira species, understanding their carbon‑capture potential and engaging communities in long‑term restoration and awareness efforts.
Strengthening Cooperation and Stakeholder Engagement
Forum participants agreed that algae-related activities remain quite unfamiliar to a wide audience despite their growing relevance for sustainable development. The forum also emphasised the need to increase awareness of marine ecosystems especially among young people and to support education initiatives that will help next generations better understand the high value of algae and the importance of marine biodiversity.
The importance of collaboration between researchers, authorities, NGOs and business were further underlined while participants noted that no single stakeholder group is able to address the technical, regulatory and social challenges alone, and that stronger collaboration will be essential for advancing algae cultivation, restoration activities and related blue‑economy sectors.
Key takeaways
The Algae Forum confirmed that algae cultivation and marine habitat restoration both represent emerging fields that hold significant potential in Romania but further development is necessary if current roadblocks are to be overcome. Participants highlighted the importance of integrating research findings into practical applications, supporting pilot projects and demonstration activities and identifying funding opportunities for larger‑scale initiatives. They also stressed the value of knowledge exchange at national and international levels, as well as the need to build synergies with other economic sectors.
Overall, the forum demonstrated the role of the Common Maritime Agenda as a platform for dialogue and cooperation. By bringing together diverse stakeholders, the event contributed to shaping a shared vision for the future of sustainable aquaculture, marine restoration and blue‑economy development in Romania and the wider Black Sea region.