Following the successful results obtained by the NEA project funded under the Interreg IIIB Programme, the members of the network decided to develop the NEA2 project, which represents an evolution of the first project in a more strategic direction. This project aims to develop a cutting-edge marine leisure sector, distinctive on the international scale, by developing a variety of measures in the areas of economic innovation and performance, protecting and valuing the environment, quality of life and social cohesion. While the objectives of the first project were limited to the coordinated development of the marine leisure tourism sector in the AA, the objective of NEA2 is the development of three aspects of the marine leisure sector as a whole: economic, environmental and social. It also aims to establish a network of centres of excellence that will be outstanding at European and international level. Achievements: Accordingly, the partners have worked together to implement a set of common, innovative actions on the themes identified, including the development of a range of watersports adventure trails products («balades nautiques») products, the creation of the Atlantic Marine Leisure Sector Observatory, the production of an inventory of sites and facilities adapted for use by people with disabilities and the development of inclusive marine leisure events. Training modules were also produced, as well as modules for discovering marine leisure and sea-related careers. An investigation has been made into company innovations and the promotion of improvements in the environmental aspects of water sports centres and marinas.The project also supported two major cross-cutting actions: the development of the Atlantic Watersport Games, a championship for promising young talent in watersports from the AA regions (Viana do Castelo in 2009, Santander in 2010, Bideford in 2011 and Presqu'île de Quiberon in 2012) and organised the European conference Marine Leisure in the Atlantic Area, in 2011, in Brest The NEA2 network was also an active participant in initiatives of the EC: European Maritime Day (local events were organised during the 2009, 2010 and 2011 conferences) and the consultation on the Atlantic region strategy (NEA2 made a collective submission, 2010).NEA2 therefore provides an opportunity to strengthen links between the AA regions around a common project, which promotes the sustainable development of the marine leisuresector, laying the foundations for a European network that will continue to develop the sector so it can help the AA set the standard in this area at an international level.