Atlantic-WestMED Stakeholder Conference 2026

The ATLAS project took part in the Atlantic-WestMED Stakeholder Conference 2026, held on 15 -16 September in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. The event marked the first time the Atlantic and Western Mediterranean Sea basin strategies came together in a single forum, bringing policymakers, researchers, project leaders and blue economy stakeholders together to explore new collaborations between the two regions.

The conference welcomed 158 participants from 17 different countries, reflecting the growing interest in cross-basin cooperation on shared maritime challenges such as climate adaptation, coastal resilience and sustainable ocean management.

Visitors to the ATLAS stand heard how the project was turning existing submarine telecommunications cables into a long-distance listening network, one able to pick up the presence of large cetaceans, track underwater noise, and give earlier warning of earthquakes and other geological hazards along the Atlantic.

The conference provided an excellent opportunity for the ATLAS project team to connect with researchers, public authorities and project promoters from across the Atlantic and Western Mediterranean communities. The team were deeply engaged in raising awareness about the project and discussing potential synergies with other initiatives working on ocean observation, biodiversity conservation and maritime safety. The event also offered a platform to explore  future transnational collaborations and funding pathways with potential partners under programmes such as Interreg, EMFAF and Horizon Europe.

This project is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund through the Interreg Atlantic Area Programme. The views expressed herein should not be taken, in any way, to reflect the official opinion of the EU, and the Commission is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information it contains.