On 25 February 2026, Torre del Greco will host the Euro-Mediterranean workshop “Coral: Towards an Ethical, Circular and Sustainable Supply Chain”, bringing together institutions, clusters, research centres and Blue Economy operators to launch a shared pathway for the protection and enhancement of coral in the Mediterranean.
The meeting represents a first concrete step toward structured cooperation between both shores of the basin, aiming to integrate ecosystem protection, sustainable fishing, traceability, technological innovation and the valorisation of craftsmanship within Blue Economy strategies.
Following institutional greetings from Mauro Ascione (President, Banca di Credito Popolare), Vincenzo Aucella (President, Assocoral) and Luigi Mennella (Mayor of Torre del Greco), Fabrizio Monticelli (CEO, ForMare – Innovation Hub for Blue Economy) will present the strategic vision for the coral supply chain, while Leonardo Manzari (WestMED National Hub for Italy) will outline cooperation tools under the WestMED programme.
The scientific perspective will be provided by Eva Salvati (Senior Researcher, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn), Rakia Ayari (Researcher, INSTM – Institut National des Sciences et Technologies de la Mer) and Mongi Zouai (CEO, Etoile de Mer Diving Center), with insights into ecosystem conditions and the future of red coral in the Mediterranean.
Innovation and local communities will also take centre stage: Giorgio Ricci Maccarini (President, BIG Cluster) will address technology transfer; Emna Sohlobji (President, Tunisian Maritime Cluster) will highlight the role of craftsmanship and women in the Tunisian supply chain; and Vincenzo Aucella will speak on IGP certification, quality standards and the protection of Torre del Greco’s artisanal heritage.
The event will conclude with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding among workshop partners to strengthen Euro-Mediterranean cooperation on coral ecosystem protection, raw material traceability and sustainable supply chain development.
