Science, innovation, and the sea: Lecce hosts a three-day dive into the blue economy with DIH InnovaMare

From May 20 to 22, 2025, the city of Lecce and the Marine Protected Area of Porto Cesareo became the stage for a three-day event organized by ARTI – Puglia Region Agency for technology, technology transfer and Innovation, as partner of the DIH InnovaMare project. The initiative brought together stakeholders from research, industry, and public institutions to explore solutions for the sustainable use and protection of marine ecosystems.

The activities officially began on the afternoon of May 20 with a technical meeting between project partners, focusing on the current state of implementation and future steps. Special attention was given to pilot actions, including the cutting-edge experimentation currently underway in the waters of Torre Chianca, coordinated by ARTI, in collaboration with the Wireless and More and the University of Salento.

On May 21, the spotlight turned to dialogue and collaboration with “Blue Innovation: Connecting Research and Business to Shape the Future of the Blue Economy,” held at the Museo Sigismondo Castromediano in Lecce.

This dynamic full-day event brought together researchers, entrepreneurs, and innovators in a cross-border effort to foster technology transfer and develop new approaches for marine sustainability.

The day unfolded through a rich and engaging program that encouraged active participation and knowledge exchange. It began with a brainstorming session led by CNR ISMAR, which delved into some of the most promising technological frontiers in the Blue Economy. Participants explored topics such as:

• underwater communication systems – Roberto Francescon (Wireless&More) shared advances in subsea communications.
• environmental monitoring through smart sensors – Neven Crukov (Ruđer Bošković Institute) demonstrated the potential of video tech for observing marine ecosystems.
• IoT in recreational boating – Caterina Dabalà (CORILA) presented smart tourism solutions.
• Smart sensors – Massimo Caccia and Francesca De Pascalis (CNR) discussed tools for environmental and archaeological monitoring.

This was followed by two thematic focus groups, where stakeholders had the opportunity to discuss, reflect, and share experiences on the key challenges and emerging trends in the sector. These interactive sessions allowed for a deeper understanding of the real needs and opportunities for innovation in marine-related fields.

In the afternoon, the spotlight shifted to mentoring and capacity building, with a session dedicated to technology valorization, market access strategies, and available European funding opportunities thanks to the involvement of Salvatore Modeo (The Qube) and Giuseppe Gubello (Intesa Sanpaolo), who offered practical toolkit for innovators, while participants received tailored advice to support the growth and competitiveness of their projects and ideas.

Throughout the day, the event proved to be a fertile ground for strengthening skills, building meaningful partnerships, and catalyzing new ideas. The collaborative atmosphere and the exchange among key players from academia, business, and institutions helped pave the way toward a more resilient and innovation-driven Blue Economy across the Italy-Croatia cooperation area.

The final day, May 22, brought the participants to the Marine Protected Area of Porto Cesareo for a study visit to the pilot site in Torre Chianca, where ARTI, the University of Salento, and the Wireless and More

lab are testing a solar-powered smart buoy. This advanced system continuously monitors environmental parameters and protects a unique cultural heritage site: the submerged Roman tombs of Torre Chianca.

During the visit, participants had the opportunity to explore the monitoring technology up close and took to the sea to discover key underwater archaeological sites, including Tripolitanian amphorae, the wreck of marble columns, and the submerged necropolis.

This immersive experience offered a compelling demonstration of how science, innovation, and cultural heritage can come together to advance a sustainable vision of the Blue Economy – one that is grounded in collaboration, respect for the environment, and shared knowledge across borders.