1st Fórum Mar Portugal 2026
The Value of Ocean Sustainability
On 3 March 2026, the 1st Fórum Mar Portugal brought together researchers, businesses, policy-makers, students, institutions and blue economy stakeholders in Faro to explore one central idea:
Sustainability is not a cost
it is value.
Promoted by CCMAR through the Algarve Marine Observatory, OMA.CCMAR, the Fórum created a space for dialogue between science, business, finance and public decision-making, showing how ocean sustainability can generate measurable economic, social, environmental and cultural value.
Date & Time
03 March 2026 | 09:00–17:30
Venue
Teatro Municipal de Faro, Teatro das Figuras | Faro, Portugal
About the Fórum
The 1st edition of Fórum Mar Portugal marked a new chapter in the national conversation on ocean sustainability.
Under the theme “The Value of Ocean Sustainability”, the event brought together more than 300 participants from academia, government, industry, finance, NGOs and civil society to discuss how a healthy ocean can become a driver of development, resilience, innovation and long-term value.
Throughout the day, the Fórum demonstrated that ocean sustainability is not only an environmental priority. It is also an economic, social and strategic opportunity for Portugal, particularly for coastal regions such as the Algarve, where natural capital, tourism, communities and the blue economy are deeply connected.
The event also showcased the work of the Algarve Marine Observatory, OMA.CCMAR, an initiative of CCMAR dedicated to connecting science, data and decision-making, transforming scientific knowledge into practical solutions and real-world impact.
Endorsed by the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, the 1st Fórum Mar Portugal affirmed the ocean as a strategic asset for Portugal and reinforced the need for stronger collaboration between science, business, finance, public authorities and society.
One day. Many voices. One commitment.
The Fórum made one message clear: protecting the ocean is not separate from economic development, it is the foundation of it.
A healthy ocean supports biodiversity, coastal protection, climate regulation, tourism, innovation, investment, food systems and the well-being of communities.
The 1st Fórum Mar Portugal showed that the future of ocean sustainability depends on the ability to measure value, reduce risk, attract investment and turn scientific knowledge into better decisions.
Keynote Speakers
Carlos M. Duarte
Marine Biologist | Climate Scientist | Keynote Speaker
Carlos M. Duarte is CEO of the Global Coral R&D Accelerator Platform and Ibn Sina Distinguished Professor of Marine Science at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology — KAUST, Saudi Arabia.
His research focuses on the effects of global change on marine ecosystems and on the development of ocean-based solutions to global challenges. He has played a leading role in advancing the concept of Blue Carbon and in demonstrating the global importance of mangroves, seagrass meadows and salt marshes as carbon sinks.
With more than 1,100 scientific publications, Carlos M. Duarte is widely recognised as one of the world’s leading marine scientists. In 2025, he was awarded the Japan Prize for his contribution to understanding marine ecosystems on a changing planet, particularly through pioneering research on Blue Carbon.
Isabel Rute Ucha da Silva
Chair of the Board of Directors of Euronext Lisbon | Keynote Speaker
Isabel Rute Ucha da Silva is Chair of the Board of Directors of Euronext Lisbon and a member of the Board of Directors of Euronext N.V., the multinational group integrating several European exchanges.
With an academic background in Economics and Finance, including studies at Universidade Católica Portuguesa, NOVA School of Business and Economics and London Business School, Isabel Ucha has held senior roles in economic policy, public debt management, securities markets and consulting.
Her keynote brought a financial perspective to ocean sustainability, highlighting the importance of measurable value, investment, market confidence and the role of capital markets in supporting the transition towards a sustainable blue economy.
Assunção Cristas
Partner at VdA | Professor at NOVA School of Law | Keynote Speaker
Assunção Cristas holds a PhD in Law and has been a Professor at NOVA School of Law since 2005. She is a partner and co-head of the Environment and Climate practice at VdA, including ocean-related work.
At NOVA, she coordinates the Master’s programme in Law and Economics of the Sea — Ocean Governance, where she teaches Ocean Policies, and contributes to multidisciplinary ocean research through the NOVA Ocean Knowledge Centre.
Her professional path also includes around ten years dedicated to public service, having served as Minister for Agriculture, Sea, Environment and Spatial Planning and later as Minister for Agriculture and the Sea.
Panel 1
The Ocean as Natural Capital: Knowledge that Equals Real Value
Integrate | Understand
This panel explored the ocean as a source of natural capital and examined how scientific knowledge can help identify, quantify and communicate the real value of marine ecosystems.
The discussion focused on the need to move beyond seeing the ocean only as a landscape or resource, recognising it instead as a living system that supports economic activity, climate regulation, biodiversity, coastal protection and community well-being.
Moderator
Adelaide Ferreira
Researcher, IPMA
Panel 2
Marine Conservation Finance: Ecosystem Services and Their Tangible Economic Potential
Explore | Innovate
This panel addressed how marine ecosystem services can be translated into financial value, investment opportunities and new models for conservation.
The discussion focused on the importance of measuring natural capital, creating bankable projects, developing innovative financing instruments and connecting marine conservation with economic resilience, ESG strategies and sustainable business models.
Moderator
Nuno Oliveira
CEO, Natural Business Intelligence — NBI
Panel 3
Sustainability Governance: Increasing the Effectiveness of Public Decisions Informed by Science
Decide | Act
This panel explored how scientific evidence can improve public decision-making and strengthen governance models for ocean sustainability.
The discussion focused on the role of public policy, regional coordination, science-based planning and collaborative governance in accelerating action, generating metrics and ensuring that sustainability commitments are translated into measurable impact.
Moderator
Norma Franco
Partner, Climate Change and Sustainability Services, EY Portugal
Curatorial Committee
The Curators of the 1st Fórum Mar Portugal played a key role in shaping a rigorous, strategic and forward-looking programme, aligned with today’s ocean challenges and with the opportunities of the blue economy.
Their contribution helped transform knowledge into dialogue, proposals and solutions for the Algarve and for Portugal.
Adelino Canário — President of the Board, CCMAR
A key institutional leader at CCMAR, he ensures the Forum’s scientific foundation and direct connection to excellence in marine research. His role on the Curatorial Committee reinforces technical credibility and high standards in the selection of themes, contributions, and speakers.
José Apolinário — President, CCDR Algarve, I.P.
He represents the strategic vision for regional development and the alignment of public policies with sustainability priorities. On the Curatorial Committee, he brings the capacity to connect the Forum with planning instruments, funding mechanisms, and measurable territorial impact in the Algarve.
António Pina — President of the Intermunicipal Council, AMAL
As a representative of intermunicipal cooperation, he ensures the Forum remains closely connected to the challenges and opportunities of coastal municipalities. His participation strengthens the local governance dimension and the practical relevance of the solutions discussed, with a clear focus on implementation.
Alexandra Teodósio — Rector, University of Algarve
Her presence ensures a strong link between the Forum and the academic ecosystem, as well as talent development for the blue economy. On the Curatorial Committee, she contributes to scientific quality and the mobilisation of interdisciplinary knowledge.
André Gomes — President, Turismo do Algarve
He represents one of the sectors most dependent on a healthy ocean and a resilient coastline. On the Curatorial Committee, he brings the perspective of sustainable economic valorisation of the territory, helping integrate tourism, conservation, and innovation.
Tiago Pitta e Cunha — Executive Commissioner (CEO), Oceano Azul Foundation
With a strategic outlook on ocean policy and international agendas, he helps position the Forum at national and global scale. On the Curatorial Committee, he reinforces ambition, the quality of debate, and a strong orientation towards concrete commitments.
Ruben Eiras — Secretary-General, Fórum Oceano
A leading figure in coordinating the ocean economy and mobilising public and private stakeholders. On the Curatorial Committee, he strengthens the link to innovation, investment, and blue-economy value chains, reinforcing a solutions- and impact-driven approach.
Ambassador OMA.CCMAR
Textile artist | OMA.CCMAR Ambassador
Vanessa Barragão
Recognised for her work bridging art, sustainability and the ocean, Vanessa Barragão creates textile pieces inspired by marine ecosystems and the urgency of protecting them.
Based in the Algarve, her artistic practice combines artisanal techniques with the reuse of textile waste, transforming discarded materials into powerful visual narratives with strong environmental and social meaning.
Her invitation to become Ambassador of the Algarve Marine Observatory reflects the recognition of her contribution to public awareness of ocean sustainability and the strong alignment between her work and the mission of OMA.CCMAR.
During the 1st Fórum Mar Portugal, Vanessa Barragão was publicly honoured as a sign of appreciation for her artistic contribution and for the commitment she has taken on as Ambassador of the Algarve Marine Observatory.
Quote
“Art is a very important vehicle to convey a message, not only of awareness about climate change, but also of hope.”
Key Moments
“Algarve Capital Natural” Declaration
One of the most symbolic moments of the Fórum was the delivery of the “Algarve Capital Natural” declaration of intent to the Minister of Environment and Energy.
Through this commitment, Algarve municipalities recognised the strategic value of the region’s natural capital, with special attention to the ocean and coastal ecosystems, and affirmed their ambition to position the Algarve as a reference region in sustainable ocean value creation.
Memorandum of Understanding with INUBAC
The Fórum also marked the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between CCMAR and the Colombian organisation INUBAC, strengthening international cooperation around marine sustainability.
This moment opened new possibilities for collaboration between the Algarve and Cartagena, two coastal territories facing shared challenges related to tourism, marine ecosystems, climate resilience and sustainable development.
OMA.CCMAR Ambassador Tribute
The public tribute to Vanessa Barragão as Ambassador of OMA.CCMAR reinforced the role of art and culture in communicating ocean sustainability.
By connecting scientific knowledge with artistic expression, this moment highlighted the importance of reaching wider audiences and creating emotional, cultural and civic engagement around the protection of the ocean.
UN Ocean Decade Endorsement
The Fórum received the endorsement of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, reinforcing its alignment with the international agenda for ocean knowledge, protection and sustainable use.
What We Take Forward
The 1st Fórum Mar Portugal demonstrated that collaboration between science, public decision-making and the economy is essential to turn knowledge into action.
From the discussions, several priorities emerged clearly:
New connections and partnerships
The Fórum strengthened relationships between researchers, public authorities, companies, investors, NGOs and international organisations.
Ideas that inspire action
The event created a shared space to discuss how ocean sustainability can generate measurable value, reduce risk and support innovation.
Data that support better decisions
The role of OMA.CCMAR was reinforced as a bridge between scientific knowledge, monitoring, evidence and practical decision-making.
Commitments that generate impact
The “Algarve Capital Natural” declaration, the international cooperation with INUBAC and the public recognition of Vanessa Barragão as OMA.CCMAR Ambassador marked the Fórum as a platform for concrete commitments.
