AtlantECO Policy Brief - Blue Economy and nature-based solutions: A sustainable future for Atlantic industries.

This policy brief highlights the urgent need to align scientific innovation with marine policy, enhance transatlantic cooperation across Europe, Africa, and South America, and accelerate the uptake of bio-based and nature-based solutions to support a Sustainable Blue Economy. Despite a robust framework of international and European policies, implementation remains fragmented, with limited integration of scientific knowledge into policy. Marine microbiomes represent a promising frontier for sustainability, offering new opportunities for environmental restoration and economic growth. However, realizing their potential requires coherent regulatory frameworks and equitable access and benefit-sharing mechanisms. The AtlantECO project demonstrates the power of interdisciplinary research, collaborative innovation networks, and evidence-based policy to tackle ocean challenges across the Atlantic basin. Key recommendations in this brief focus on reinforcing transatlantic collaboration, improving the science-policy interface, and building shared systems for ocean knowledge and innovation. These measures are essential to advancing climate resilience, ocean health, and equitable economic development throughout the All-Atlantic community. The brief ultimately aims to elevate awareness, build capacity, promote responsible practices, and catalyse a Blue Growth strategy that unites the All-Atlantic region, aligned with AtlantECO’s mission.