Starting on the 1st January 2019 the Blue World Institute is a partner organization in project ECOSS – Ecological Observing System in the Adriatic Sea: Oceanographic Observations for Biodiversity. This project is a collaboration of 10 organizations from Croatia and Italy, with CNR ISMAR acting as a lead partner. The project is co-financed by the European union through cross-border cooperation program Interreg Italy-Croatia.

The Adriatic is a relatively small and accessible sea. Systematic scientific research has therefore been conducted here for over a century. However, research programs involving different scientific disciplines have so far not been integrated with problems and needs to conserve the Adriatic marine environment. Yet, the marine environment and species know no administrative or other borders while their successful conservation depends on thorough knowledge based on interdisciplinary approach. ECOSS project aims at tackling this by integrating results of existing oceanographic and ecological research and monitoring programs so that conservation measures can be planned holistically. To reach this goal, primary aim of ECOSS project is development of an integrated ecological observatory: ECOAdS – Ecological observing system in the Adriatic Sea.

Multifunctional probe measures oceanographic parameters that can be displayed via ECOAdS in real time

Through a web portal ECOAdS will enable access to results of existing research, structured in a way to directly answer needs of marine conservationists. A theoretical model underlying the ECOAdS web portal is developed, using the selected six Natura 2000 sites in the Adriatic as case studies, to select and display specific biological, ecological and oceanographic parameters relevant for a queried species or marine protected area.  Besides this, workshops are organized for stakeholders (scientists, researchers, conservationists, students and governing bodies) to acquire their input and optimize the ECOAdS to their needs as future end users.

Besides scientific basis, the effective marine conservation relies on public support. Thus, the ECOSS project includes also educational and public awareness activities. Through a series of public presentations and webinars team experts involved in ECOSS project presents the rich biodiversity of the Adriatic Sea, the importance of its conservation and ways of active public involvement in marine conservation initiatives.

SCUBA diver collects sediment samples for analysis to inform on the state of benthic environment

 

Project partners

  1. National Research Council; Italy
  2. National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics; Italy
  3. Regional Agency for Prevention, Environment and Energy in Emilia Romagna; Italy
  4. Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, Croatia
  5. Po Delta Veneto Regional Park, Italy
  6. Blue World Institute of Marine Research and Conservation, Croatia
  7. Public Institution for the Management of Protected Natural Areas of Dubrovnik-Neretva County; Croatia
  8. Public Institution for the Management of Protected Areas in the County of Split and Dalmatia “Sea & Karst”; Croatia
  9. Shoreline, Italy
  10. Ca Foscari University of Venice, Italy

 

Total project budget: 3.4 million EUR, EU co-financing: 2.9 million EUR

Project duration: 1st January 2019 – 30th June 2021

Project website: www.italy-croatia.eu/ecoss