The Secretary of State for the Sea, Lídia Bulcão, will attend the closing session of Blue Wink-E 2024: Choose Blue, Live Green, which will take place on October 25 at the Infante D. Henrique Auditorium in Matosinhos. Organized by B2E CoLAB for the Blue Bioeconomy, the event brings together experts, companies, and institutions to discuss strategies that can boost seafood products among consumers while promoting a more sustainable future.

The event will begin at 9:00 a.m. with a welcome session led by Marlos Silva, president of the B2E CoLAB Board, and Maria Coelho, coordinator of the same entity. Marta Pontes, councilor for Economic Activities at the Matosinhos City Council, will be responsible for the official opening of the conference.

The first roundtable, entitled “Winning Over Consumers: Strategies in the Blue Bioeconomy,” will feature Renata Serradeiro (Flatlantic), Maria João Alegria (Sumol + Compal), Célia Rocha (Sense Test), and Patrícia Gonçalves (B2E CoLAB). This panel will explore ways in which product innovation, focused on sustainable and healthy ingredients from the sea, can differentiate itself in the market, how to win over conscious consumers who value health and product traceability, and the importance of a positive consumer experience. In addition, the fundamental role of communication in educating and raising consumer awareness about the benefits of blue bioeconomy products will be discussed.

After a networking break, where participants will be able to sample new seafood products, the second round table will take place, entitled “Challenges and Opportunities: Blue Bioeconomy Products on the Market,” featuring Michelin-starred chef Arnal Azevedo, Pedro Silva from TMG Textiles, Leonor Almeida Garrett from Sonae MC, and Diogo Lopes from Wissi Atlantic Vegetables. This session will focus on the integration of blue bioeconomy products into different industries, such as the food and textile sectors, exploring the opportunities these resources offer beyond food and highlighting the technological innovations that are shaping the sector. The speakers will share their experiences on how marine products can contribute to the sustainability and competitiveness of their areas, also addressing the barriers and challenges faced in bringing these innovations to market.

The closing session, scheduled for 12:45 p.m., will be led by the Secretary of State for the Sea, Lídia Bulcão, who will reinforce the importance of consolidating Portugal as a leader in the blue economy and bioeconomy, emphasizing the commitment to the sustainability of marine resources and the growth potential of this sector in the national economy.