On Friday, October 22, IMBBC welcomed the Hybrid University of Asterousia, jointly run by MIO-ECSDE and the UNESCO Venice Office in Europe with the aim to promote participation and involvement of key stakeholders in Biosphere Reserves. Following a guided visit to Cretaquarium and an introductory note by Prof. Michael Scoullos, two invited talks were presented, by Dr. Thanos Dailianis on the trends and challenges for Mediterranean marine biodiversity, and Dr. Thomais Vlachogianni on addressing marine litter and climate change in MPAs.