Blue Marine Foundation

The Blue Marine Foundation is a marine conservation charity working to restore ocean health by establishing effective Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and promoting sustainable fishing. In Cyprus, it is focusing on Akrotiri, one of the country’s most valuable marine regions, collaborating with local communities to protect biodiversity while supporting those who depend on the sea. 

Akrotiri’s waters host carbon-trapping seagrass beds, coral reefs, and sandbars that sustain endangered monk seals, sea turtles, and guitar sharks. Despite this richness, the area faces overfishing and weak management.  

The grant is directly supporting the development and implementation of a management plan for Akrotiri’s Marine Protected Area. This includes restoring marine habitats, enabling fish populations to recover, and ensuring small-scale artisanal fisheries can operate sustainably. By combining conservation with community benefits, the project aims to set a model for effective marine protection in the Mediterranean, demonstrating how healthy seas can support both nature and people.