Award ceremony for the Italian Blu Flags 2026
The IRBIM Director represents the CNR
Rome, May 14, 2026. The award ceremony for the prestigious FEE Blue Flags 2026 was held at the CNR Headquarters in Rome. A total of 257 Italian coastal municipalities and tourist marinas received the 2026 Blue Flag from the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), marking a positive growth with eleven more awards compared to last year. The official ceremony at the Conference Hall of the National Research Council was attended by the mayors of the awarded locations, the President of the FEE Italia foundation Claudio Mazza, and the Minister of Tourism, Gianmarco Mazzi.
Representing the institution at the event was Gian Marco Luna, Director of the Institute for Marine Biological Resources and Biotechnology (CNR IRBIM). In his speech, he shared greetings from the President of the CNR, Prof. Andrea Lenzi, and the Director of the CNR Department DSSTTA , Dr. Francesco Petracchini. He highlighted the role of the National Research Council, through its institutes dedicated to marine sciences, as one of the most important marine research networks in the country and the entire Mediterranean. In fact, through its institutes operating in all fields of marine science, the CNR carries out crucial daily work to understand the changes affecting our seas and to provide concrete knowledge and tools to institutions, local areas, and communities.
“We turn scientific knowledge into operational support for the country. Today, research is no longer locked inside laboratories. Research must engage in a dialogue with local territories, municipalities, businesses, and national and European institutions,” stated the Director of CNR IRBIM. “It must help policymakers make better decisions based on data, evidence, and a long-term vision. This is why moments like this are so important. The Blue Flag represents a successful example of how local administrations, citizens, and the scientific community can work together toward common goals.”
“Italy has all the skills to become a European model for sustainable marine and coastal management. We have extraordinary scientific professionalism, capable local administrations, a unique maritime tradition, and a biodiversity that the world envies. But we must continue to invest in research and knowledge. Above all, without a culture of the sea, there is no future for a country like ours. My special thanks also go to all the women and men in scientific research, at the CNR and beyond, who often work away from the spotlight, but with a huge impact on the country’s future.”
The Blue Flag recognition rewards beauty of the beauty of landscape, but it also certifies a structured and measurable path of environmental excellence. During the complex evaluation phase carried out by the Commission according to a strict procedural scheme, several institutional bodies, including the CNR, provided their technical contribution. Further information can be found on the CNR news page, and the detailed list is available on the official FEE Blue Flag program page.