INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE

The conference will serve as the concluding event of the LIFE REEF project to share experiences, transfer knowledge, and showcase best practices from both national and international marine spatial conservation initiatives. Topics will begin with a comprehensive introductory overview, followed by case study presentations and a discussions. 

 

First conference day || 28.10.2025
  • Designating protected areas in Europe's seas
  • Integration of the network of MPAs into marine spatial planning and Integrated coastal management
  • Pressure and impact analysis
Second conference day || 29.10.2025
  • Coastal fisheries management in MPAs
  • Stakeholder engagement in establishing the MPAs network: sharing the best experience and lessons learned
  • Final panel discussion, summary and closing-off
Third conference day || 30.10.2025
  • Field trip

 

 

FINAL AGENDA HERE

 

Conference presentations: 

Session Designating protected areas in Europe's seas

  • Political insight in MPAs, Gita Strode, Nature Conservation Agency of Latvia:  Presentation >>>
  • The Status of MPAs in the Baltic, Jannica Haldin, HELCOM: Presentation >>>
  • Mapping of underwater habitats in Latvian EEZ: findings and challenges, Ingrīda Andersone, Latvian Institute of Aquatic Ecology: Presentation >>>
  • Latvian MPAs: site prioritosation based on species distribution and ecosystem services, Andris Avotiņš, Institute of Food Safety, Animal Health and Environment "BIOR": Presentation >>>
  • The experience in the Medditteranenan and beyond, Leonardo Tunesi, Institute for Environmental Protection and Research: Presentation >>>

Session Coherence of the MPAs network with the MSP and ICM

  • Improved transdisciplinary science for effective ecosystem-based MSP and conservation in European Seas, Ibon Galparsoro, AZTI: Presentation >>>
  • Experiences across European Seas, Daniel Depellegrin, IHCantabria: Presentation >>>
  • The achievments and lessons learned in Latvia, Solvita Strāķe, Latvian Institute of Aquatic Ecology: Presentation >>>
  • Experiences in Sweden, Jan Schmidbauer Crona, The Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management: Presentation >>>

Session Pressure and Impact analysis

  • Impacts of artisanal fisheries on substrate and habitats inside and outside marine protected areas in Italy, Chiara Silvestrini, University of Naples Federico: Presentation >>>
  • Field observations for cumulative pressure, impact, and ecosystem function analysis, Aurelija Armoskaite, Latvian Institute of Aquatic Ecology: Presentation >>>
  • Scenario-based cumulative impact assessments for ecosystem-based planning and management, Ida Maria Bonnevie, Aalborg University: Presentation >>>
  • Impact and trade-off analysis to inform protected area prioritisation and optimisation, Francisco R. Barboza, Estonian Marine Institute: Presentation >>>

Session Coastal fisheries management in MPAs

  • Coastal fish, fish habitats and MPAs, Ulf Bergstrom, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences: Presentation >>>
  • Challenges and opportunities for coastal fisheriems management in MPAs: Latvian experience, Ivars Putnis, Institute of Food Safety, Animal Health and Environment "BIOR": Presentation >>>
  • Seabird bycatch in the coastal areas of the Lithuanian Baltic Sea. How we can reduce it across the entire Baltic Sea? Robertas Staponkus, Klaipeda University: Presentation >>>
  • Sustainable management of the invasive round goby in Latvian coastal waters: lessons learned and ways forward, Loreta Rozenfelde, Institute of Food Safety, Animal Health and Environment "BIOR": Presentation >>>

Session Stakeholder engagement in establishing the MPAs network: sharing the best experience and lessons learned

  • Why to protect nature and how to justify it with sciences? Edvards Kušners, Latvijas banka: Presentation >>>
  • Challenges with stakeholders in LIFE REEF project, Gunta Gabrāne, Nature Conservation Agency of Latvia: Presentation >>>
  • Wind Park development in marine waters vs nature protection, Jānis Ločmelis, Investment and Development Agency of Latvia: Presentation >>>

 

Conference photo gallery >>> 

 

 

Conference venue: Liepājas Latviešu biedrības nams, Rožu laukums 5/6, Liepāja, LV-3401

Who is welcome?

Experts in marine conservation, scientists, projects focused on spatial protection of marine biological diversity, policymakers, NGOs, and industry representatives

The program includes:

  • Thematic sessions
  • Knowledge marketplace
  • A field trip

Conference language: English

Conference format: in-person

Conference participation fee: free

 

Any questions? Please contact: life.reef@daba.gov.lv

 

ORGANISING COMMITTEE

Gunta Gabrāne, Nature Conservation Agency

Ilze Sabule, Nature Conservation Agency

Andris Avotiņš, Institute of Food Safety, Animal Health and Environment "BIOR"

Ivars Putnis, Institute of Food Safety, Animal Health and Environment "BIOR"

Andris Andrušaitis, Latvian Institute of Aquatic Ecology

Aurēlija Armoskaite, Latvian Institute of Aquatic Ecology

Ingrīda Andersone, Latvian Institute of Aquatic Ecology

Solvita Strāķe, Latvian Institute of Aquatic Ecology