TRAINING AND OUTREACH
The COAST project, through its partner the University of Aveiro and CESAM – Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (COBI team) and in collaboration with ADPM I Sistemas Agroflorestais em Cabo Verde, developed an educational game based on the main results obtained throughout the various campaigns carried out. This activity was promoted in several schools on the island of Santo Antão, namely the João Varela Technical School in Porto Novo, Tarrafal Secondary School, and Cruzinha Primary School.
João Varela Technical School
Tarrafal Secondary School
Cruzinha Primary School
In October 2025, the COAST project held its second workshop together with the NGOs Terrimar, Biosfera and Fauna & Flora International, as well as local fishers and municipal authorities, with the aim of continuing discussions on recommended Marine Protected Areas around Santo Antão. Several alternative livelihoods to fishing were discussed with all participants.ADPM I Sistemas Agroflorestais em Cabo Verde, Universidade de Aveiro CESAM - Centro de Estudos do Ambiente e do Mar were the partner organisations responsible for this workshop.
Dr Teresa Amaro from the University of Aveiro, Dr Henk-Jan Hoving from GEOMAR, and Tommy Melo from Biosfera were invited by His Excellency the President of the Republic of Cabo Verde to participate in the Ocean Decade event held in October 2025 on Fogo Island, Cabo Verde.
Republic President of Cabo Verde Teresa Amaro (UA/CESAM) Teresa Amaro (UA/CESAM)
Tommy Melo (BIOSFERA) Henk-Jan Hooving (GEOMAR)
The COAST Project took part in the “MPA in MSP” conference in Bodø in July 2025. The University of Aveiro (Dr Teresa Amaro and Jéssica Ferreira) gave an oral presentation and presented a poster about the work being carried out on Santo Antão.
Teresa Amaro (UA/CESAM) Jessica Ferreira (UA/CESAM)
The COAST Project was present at SIBECOL in Pontevedra in June 2025. The University of Barcelona (Dr Daniel Gómez-Grás) and the University of Aveiro (Tristan Ornelas and Jessica Ferreira) gave oral presentations on the work being developed in Santo Antão. Additionally, Tristan Ornelas also presented his work in Brest at the ITRS.
Tristan Ornelas (UA/CESAM)
Daniel, Tristan e Jéssica Daniel Gómez_Grás (UB) Jessica Ferreira (UA/CESAM)
The COAST Project participated in the European Coral Reef Symposium held in Naples, Italy, in July 2024. At this symposium, Professor Dr Cristina Linares and Professor Dr Andrea Gori from the University of Barcelona, along with Tristan Ornelas from the University of Aveiro, delivered oral presentations about the research being conducted on Santo Antão. The event focused on bridging knowledge gaps between tropical, temperate, and cold-water coral reefs and brought together scientists and policymakers to share the latest findings in coral reef conservation and management.
Cristina Linares (UB) Andrea Gori (UB) Tristan Ornelas (UA/CESAM)
In June 2024, during the World Environment Day, COAST Cabo Verde organised the first workshop toegther with the local NGOs (BIOSFERA and TERRIMAR), fishermen and Porto Novo City hall and Ribeira Grande with the objective to recommend Marine Protected Areas In Santo Antão island . AIRcentre, ADPM I Sistemas Agroflorestais em Cabo Verde, Universidade de Aveiro CESAM - Centro de Estudos do Ambiente e do Mar were the responsible partners of this workshop.
In May 2023 UAc and Universidade de Aveiro/CESAM - Centro de Estudos do Ambiente e do Mar participated in a workshop at Biosfera about different methodologies on benthic characterisation and shark populations.
In December 2022, the project leader gave a small lecture to raise awareness of the local ecosystem value, explaining the project and why the local community collaboration is so important.
The COAST project is fully committed with the local fishing community, promoting the local economy and synergies. At the same time, COAST hopes to share new knowledge about Santo Antão coastal ecosystems with the locals, but always valuing and recognizing local expertise about the island’s marine habitats.
Presentation of the COAST project to the WASCAL-CV 3rd batch students in UTA, with a special focus on finding possible future master thesis subjects, in December 2022.
Presentation of the COAST project to the local stakeholders in an event organized by the partner ADPM held at the Porto Novo’s city hall in December 2022.
Presentation of the COAST project to the scientific community and local stakeholders at the Cabo Verde Ocean Week event in November 2022.
First workshop about algae taxonomy and their importance within the ecosystem held by project partner CIIMAR in UTA in June 2022.