BLUE MED MAPPING – 26 Aug 2014. Draft V0.
BLUE MED
A BLUE GROWTH RESEARCH AND INNOVATION INITIATIVE FOR THE MEDITERRANEAN
ANALYSIS OF THE INFORMATION COLLECTED FROM MED COUNTRIES THROUGH THE MAPPING TO IDENTIFY:
 GAPS [G] AND RESEARCH & INNOVATION OPPORTUNITIES [N/O] FOR OVERCOMING THEM, AND RELATED
JUSTIFICATION [J]
Ref.: Document1
1
BLUE MED MAPPING – 26 Aug 2014. Draft V0.
INDEX
ANALYSING GAPS AND RESEARCH & INNOVATION OPPORTUNITIES FOR OVERCOMING THEM .......................................................................................................... 3
BIODIVERSITY...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 4
BIOLOGICAL INVASIONS ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 6
BLUE BIOTECHNOLOGY ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 7
CLIMATE CHANGE AND IMPACTS ....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 9
DEEP SEA ECOSYSTEMS .................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 12
DEEP SEA MINING, OIL AND GAS SUSTAINABLE EXPLOITATION ...................................................................................................................................................... 13
LIVING MARINE RESOURCES (FISHERY, AQUACULTURE, ETC.) ........................................................................................................................................................ 14
MARINE HAZARDS ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 17
MARINE POLLUTION ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 18
MARITIME TRANSPORT .................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 20
MSP-ICZM ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 22
OCEAN RENEWABLE ENERGY ........................................................................................................................................................................................................... 24
OCEANS AND HUMAN HEALTH ........................................................................................................................................................................................................ 26
OPERATIONAL OCEANOGRAPHY/OBSERVING SYSTEMS .................................................................................................................................................................. 27
SOCIOECONOMIC & POLICY RESEARCH ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 30
TRAINING & TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 31
OTHER R&I AREAS............................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 32
Ref.: Document1
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BLUE MED MAPPING – 26 Aug 2014. Draft V0.
ANALYSING GAPS AND RESEARCH & INNOVATION OPPORTUNITIES FOR OVERCOMING THEM
(PROVIDE THE NECESSARY JUSTIFICATION/DRIVERS)
For each thematic area, the inputs have been aggregated in cluster of issues (reported in the first column). Each group of identified gaps and related
justification (in the second column) is associated to a corresponding group of needs/opportunities and related justification (in the third column).
Ref.: Document1
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BLUE MED MAPPING – 26 Aug 2014. Draft V0.
BIODIVERSITY
BIODIVERSITY IDENTIFIED GAPS AND RELATED JUSTIFICATION
R&I NEEDS/OPPORTUNITIES AND RELATED JUSTIFICATION
General
issues
A. [G] Knowledge on: biodiversity, ecosystem, and species adaptation
to changing marine environments (resilience); role of biodiversity in
marine ecosystem functioning and services, including the
interactions between terrestrial and marine environment; factors
controlling biodiversity; taxonomy; microbial (bio)diversity: [J] to
evaluate how populations will adapt to changing environmental
conditions and on how they will affect the ecosystem resilience or
changing species interactions; to quantitatively understand how
biodiversity affects food web stability and resilience (and hence
impacts food security); to examine specific aspects like species full
life-cycle, ecological niche and role, population structure and status,
pathogens, symbionts, and interactions with other components of
the ecosystem, including for example the crucial role of plankton in
biogeochemical cycles and marine foodwebs.
B. [G] Long-term research projects and programmes; coherent
network of Med observatories, including data management and escience facilities/virtual laboratories: [J] to allow for a coordinated
long-term and large-scale monitoring of marine biodiversity changes
obtaining adequate information on temporal and spatial changes,
their causes and associated risks to be used for future research
planning.
A. [N/O] New technologies for biodiversity assessment, e.g. assess
genetic diversity via new genomic tools; wide-spreading of big
complex data production through Next Generation Sequencing
(NGS) and -omics methods (e.g. genomics,transcriptomics,
metabolomics) and technologies; new ways of taxonomy (e.g.
molecular techniques/barcoding), also to help producing
new/updated monographs of marine taxa; links of microbial
diversity of ecosystem functioning: [J] to catch the opportunity
offered by technological developments for collecting complex big
data sets, in order to study biodiversity in a holistic and in-depth
way, at very fast time scales; to improve the understanding of
organism ecophysiology and plasticity as well as the spatial and
temporal modelling capabilities.
B. [N/O] Formal agreement, supported by governments and funding
agencies, between marine stations and institutes to support the
development of a coordinated and sustained system of
biodiversity observatories combining biological, physical and
chemical measurements (linked to and build upon the already
existing EMODNET, LifeWatch and to GEO-BON initiatives), and
including virtual labs: [J] to develop an integrated plan for Med
marine biodiversity science, enhancing collaboration, younger
generation training, scientific findings, and funding opportunities.
Applications
A. [G] Marine biodiversity for human well-being: [J] central issue
requiring multidisciplinary approaches, and to take into
consideration societal needs and awareness.
B. [G] Development of instruments for the measure of biodiversity
changes and indicators to contribute to MSFD GES: [J] to further
develop and standardize a set of biodiversity indicators for proper
monitoring of biodiversity changes and support the ecosystembased approach to management.
C. [G] Public participation (citizens involvement, citizens science): [J]
maximize the contribution of the general (non-scientific) public by
A. [N/O] Development of innovative socio-ecological approaches,
enhancing interdisciplinarity (e.g. linking marine related socioeconomics issues): [J] to achieve a genuine ecosystem approach
to the management of marine resources, and apply knowledge
generated through biodiversity research in areas that may deliver
sustainable economic opportunities.
B. [N/O] Identify and set up new indicators (under ECAP) and
metrics: [J] to monitor biodiversity changes, and measure
functional biodiversity.
C. [N/O] Enhancement of public participation in reporting and
Ref.: Document1
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BLUE MED MAPPING – 26 Aug 2014. Draft V0.
BIODIVERSITY IDENTIFIED GAPS AND RELATED JUSTIFICATION
promoting citizen science interest and initiatives for biodiversity
observation and monitoring.
Note: EMODNET, LifeWatch and to GEO-BON initiatives: framework conditions?
Ref.: Document1
5
R&I NEEDS/OPPORTUNITIES AND RELATED JUSTIFICATION
surveying (e.g sea birds, marine mammals, and jelly-watch, litter,
yachting, etc.) + development of projects for school and
University students, fishermen, divers and amateur scientists: [J]
to enhance ocean literacy/marine culture and at the same time
contribute to accessible knowledge pool of species occurrence
and abundance.
BLUE MED MAPPING – 26 Aug 2014. Draft V0.
BIOLOGICAL INVASIONS
BIOLOGICAL
INVASIONS
IDENTIFIED GAPS AND RELATED JUSTIFICATION
General issues
Ref.: Document1
A. [G] Knowledge of pathways (especially for the eastern
Mediterranean, in case of the Red Sea invasive species) and
of alien&invasive species (including periodically invasive
native species) impacts on/alterations of ecosystem
functions: [J] recognizing the significant threats posed by NIS
(MWFD, Biodiversity Strategy); while observed, the rate of
change and trophic relations are poorly known.
B. [G] Management plans of invasive species (especially in
fisheries), including surveillance programmes for marine NIS:
[J] the EU Biodiversity Strategy (EC 2011) aims that by 2020,
Invasive Alien Species (IAS) and their pathways are
identified, prioritized and managed to prevent the
introduction and establishment of arriving IAS and that,
where practicable, negative impacting species are controlled
or eradicated.
6
R&I NEEDS/OPPORTUNITIES AND RELATED JUSTIFICATION
A. [N/O] Combination of studies including genetic techniques and
traditional monitoring of invasive species, also to identify their origin:
[J] for management purposes; assessing ecosystem changes due to
biological invasions, including studies on their impacts in given areas
and on mechanisms and impacts of native species outbreaks;] to
quantify ecosystem changes due to biological invasions and potential
adaption measures and to assess/quantify any possible economy shift
for species of commercial interest
B. [N/O] Molecular/genetic studies of bioinvasions in the Mediterranean
will be helpful in determining their identities, as well as their sources,
routes of invasions, and the genetic make-up of founding populations:
[J] to document the full extent of the bioinvasion of the EU Seas,
providing information for the development of effective conservation
policies and competent management (also in fishery).
BLUE MED MAPPING – 26 Aug 2014. Draft V0.
BLUE BIOTECHNOLOGY
BLUE BIOTECH
IDENTIFIED GAPS AND RELATED JUSTIFICATION
General issues
(including
marine
biomimetic
technology)
1
A. [G] (Deeper) knowledge of biotechnologies from marine
algae, bacteria and macro-organisms for producing biofuel,
cosmetics, drugs, fine chemicals: [J] exploitation now
feasible, and in particular microalgae and cyanobacteria
represent prominent candidates for sustainable fine
chemicals and biofuel production, and are efficient in carbon
capture; bacteria, marine fungi and macro-organisms
produce numerous bio-compounds (antibiotic, immune
system modulators, pigments, collagen, chitin...).
B. [G] Exploring the deep Mediterranean Sea (macro and micro
biota): [J] availability of robotic technologies (ROV and AUV)
for the exploration and collection of samples from the
mesophotic zone to the deep sea.
C. [G] Industrial issues like science-to-industry communication,
synergies between robotics and biotechnology, aquaculture
production, access to risk capital for startup and SME: [J]
niche markets, dedicated and targeted to specific
biotechnological solutions, ready to be exploited.
These topics have partially been covered by FP7 and the 2014 DG calls.
Ref.: Document1
7
R&I NEEDS/OPPORTUNITIES AND RELATED JUSTIFICATION
A. [N/O] Specific research on isolation and description of algae strains
(must be robust, fast growing, and demonstrate good adaptation to
the planned bioprocess); on photosynthesis, including effects of
environmental parameters; and on reduction of processing costs and
up-scaling: [J] huge potential of marine biological diversity (i.e. unusual
and extreme habitats easily accessible) for discovering new genes, new
molecules (especially of prokaroytic and protistan microorganisms), for
biotechnological applications. By using the appropriate modern
technological developments important applications in the area of
bioprospecting (production of pharmaceuticals, bioactive substances,
etc) can be achieved1.
B. [N/O] Development of specialized robotic technologies that can
improve the exploration and collection of samples from the deep part
of the marine ecosystem [...]
C. [N/O] Development of new and more robust biotechnology tools to
produce new market niches, promoting the creation and the survival in
the pre-industrial phase of new dedicated start-up (for example
automated high-resolution biosensing technologies; prediction and
detection of human health hazards (e.g. Harmful Algal Blooms);
modelling; cost-effective and non-toxic antifouling technologies),
stimulating synergy and participation in joint projects between
research institutions and SME. [J] As reported by the Global Strategic
Business Report (GSBR) analyzing the worldwide market for marine
biotechnology products (GSBR Marine Biotechnology, 2013),
developing blue technologies is important to: increase basic knowledge
on marine biodiversity in order to protect it and to preserve still
unexplored services that marine organisms can provide; develop
environmentally friendly processes; reduce environmental impact of
existing activities; produce predictive models of human health hazards;
sustainably cope with food requirements enhancing population wellbeing; foster technology transfer between research institutions and
BLUE MED MAPPING – 26 Aug 2014. Draft V0.
BLUE BIOTECH
IDENTIFIED GAPS AND RELATED JUSTIFICATION
R&I NEEDS/OPPORTUNITIES AND RELATED JUSTIFICATION
enterprises, enhancing their competitiveness at the international level.
[sample sectors: Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA); development
of food from waste technologies; bio-prospecting of marine bioactive
molecules of interest for pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, medical and industrial
applications; innovative culture methods for harvesting natural marine
compounds and materials; food products and ingredients of marine origin
(algae, invertebrates, fish) with optimal nutritional properties for human
health].
Ref.: Document1
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BLUE MED MAPPING – 26 Aug 2014. Draft V0.
CLIMATE CHANGE AND IMPACTS
CLIMATE CHANGE AND
IMPACTS
IDENTIFIED GAPS AND RELATED JUSTIFICATION
R&I NEEDS/OPPORTUNITIES AND RELATED JUSTIFICATION
General issues
A. [G] Knowledge on biodiversity, from assessment
to ecosystem services: [J] this is a prerequisite
for predicting the impacts of climate change (on
coastal ecosystems) at regional (MED) level.
B. [G] (Regional) climate change impacts scenarios:
[J] they are necessary for planning and
adaptation policies purpose.
C. [G] Long term measurements, observations, and
data: [J] well-constrained models are essential
for a long-term remediation actions to mitigate/
adapt to the impacts of climate changes.
D. [G] Performing climate models (including
ocean/solid earth processes) at local and subbasin scale: [J] although climate models are
qualitatively reproducing overall environmental
properties at the basin scale, they do not
satisfactorily reproduce the processes at local
and sub-basin scale.
Specific issues
A. [G] Assessment of climate change impacts on
coastal ecosystems biodiversity: [J] biodiversity
assumes different ecosystem services,
provisioning, regulating, supporting and cultural;
and on biogeochemistry: climate change is
expected to affect the stratification pattern,
thermohaline circulation, terrestrial inputs, light
radiation, frequency of extreme events,
atmospheric deposition.
B. [G] Production/consumption mechanisms,
spatial distribution, circulation effects of
A. [N/O] Taxonomic inventory, analysis and modelling of the relationship
between diversity and functions of the main biological compartments
(thanks to the availability of new tools, metagenomics, DNA barcoding),
allowing to go faster in the knowledge of species, including microbial
species: [J] it is crucial to establish reference data, follow the evolution of
and compare the data, and evaluate the vulnerability of organisms
communities and of ecosystem services.
B. [N/O] Downscaling modelling from the global scenarios (IPCC) to the Med
regional seas: [J] to aware planning and programming policies
mitigating/adapting CC impacts in coastal areas.
C. [N/O] Issues like potential changes in thermohaline circulation;
acidification; study of the vulnerability of the coastal zone and future
developments: [J] to be addressed through combination of the (operational)
prediction of the sea level and the erosion and flooding of coastal areas, the
economic-social-environmental impacts and the possible adaptation
strategies, while optimizing its real-time measurements of meteorologicaloceanographic parameters by combined use spot measuring devices and
satellites also close to the coasts (coastal satellite oceanography).
D. [N/O] Assessing and projecting climate changes and impacts at local scales:
[J] towards a better knowledge and high-quality performance of (local scale)
climate models.
A. [N/O] Organized study of the various parameters and database update: [J]
because of the need to compare data consistently and well organized.
[Specific ideas of interest: common, easy access data set, clear data policy,
interdisciplinary cruises, integration and collaboration with coastal guard
and navy (also in order to set up a large Ship-of-Opportunity program),
quantify the key biogeochemical-physical interactions and feedbacks
between the ocean and atmosphere under multiple
climatic/environmental/anthropogenic drivers and stressors.]
B. [N/O] A better understanding of DOC dynamics requires both systematic
observations and modeling efforts: [J] to explore regions with Different
circulation regimes and to assess the seasonal variability of the DOC
Ref.: Document1
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BLUE MED MAPPING – 26 Aug 2014. Draft V0.
CLIMATE CHANGE AND
IMPACTS
IDENTIFIED GAPS AND RELATED JUSTIFICATION
C.
D.
E.
F.
Dissolved Organic Carbon (DOC): [J] DOC
dynamics is fundamental for the functioning of
marine ecosystems.
Carbon sequestration measurements in the
deep waters: to better assess impact scenarios.
[G] Sea level rise & weather extremes: [J]
highlighted by the V IPCC Report (2013-14:
WG1, WG2, WG3) considering Southern Europe
and non-European Mediterranean countries
high vulnerable to climate change.
[G] Coastal risks, erosion phenomena status and
evolution, and in particular interactions between
air pollution and climate in the coastal
environment: [J] quantitative assessment of
coastal risks is needed in order to knowingly
plan the adaptation policies (cost/benefit
analysis); in particular near coast boundary layer
characteristics are important for climate issues
(due to the haze-cloud cooling effect) and for
public health issues when air pollution (from the
sea-surface, shipping and coastal industrial
activity) is trapped in the boundary layer of
densely populated areas.
[G] Thermohaline circulation: [J] it could
dramatically change because of the important
warming/drying.
R&I NEEDS/OPPORTUNITIES AND RELATED JUSTIFICATION
C.
D.
E.
F.
Ref.: Document1
10
distributions; and by developing a hierarchy of models to study the DOC
cycle, together with the effects of physical processes.
[N/O] Risks and effects of policies related to carbon sequestration: [J]
relevant for predicting economic-social-environmental impacts and their
treatment
[N/O] Different strategies approach (long-term monitoring
programs/programs aimed at deepening the larger risks to the ecosystem
and the human environment/a particular focus on climate change in the
other programs that focus on different goals) + specific ideas of interest
[e.g. combined use of geodetic, use of geomorphic and historic markers and
ocean/solid earth modelling techniques; investigation into the causes and
the effects of extreme events of the recent past; evaluating the change
taking place in the marine food chain (from viruses to mammals); complex
models simulating past climates to find confirmation of future scenarios;
evaluating strategies for adaptation and mitigation considering the real
economic value of the natural system; strategic decisions for ICZM and MSP
and for sustainable fisheries to be adapted to future impacts; networking
of existing MPAs, the creation of new ones, even in deep areas, and a
common protocol for monitoring]: [J] justified by the fast growing of the risk
of disasters (sensu UNISDR) in the MED area, due to the acceleration of
climate-related changes (increasing the probability of extreme events), as
well as by the intrinsic vulnerability of MED ecosystem (see the V IPCC
Report, (which is increasing due to the biodiversity loss) and by the increase
of possible consequences, due tothe growing presence of hundreds of
millions of people along the coasts and the socio-economic value of the
basin (tourism, fishery, maritime transport and energy, cultural heritage).
[N/O] Fostering an initiative with maritime Regions involvement putting in
to practice innovative devices and methods for erosion phenomena
assessment: [J] to update and enhance the "concept" of the previous EU
initiatives, produce and feed a Med Coastal Observatory, maintain updated
data/information on erosion phenomena and coastal risks.
[N/O] Long term observations (including paleo observations) to be acquired
in coherency with the models: [J] to provide the basis for robust forecast
BLUE MED MAPPING – 26 Aug 2014. Draft V0.
CLIMATE CHANGE AND
IMPACTS
IDENTIFIED GAPS AND RELATED JUSTIFICATION
R&I NEEDS/OPPORTUNITIES AND RELATED JUSTIFICATION
models (this includes physical and biogeochemical observations and
models).
Focus on the
hydrological
component
(hydrometeorological
marine hazards,
hydrodynamic and
sediment transfers)
[G] Knowledge on submersion events and on the
wide range of interacting processes that shape the
coast line in a microtidal sea; understanding the
interaction between the different hazards
(erosion/submersion, entrance of lagoons, …) and
the different components of the surface energy
budget to assess the hydrologic budget (oceanicatmospheric observatories needed): [J] climate
change and sea rising will enhance the frequency
and intensity of such events.
[N/O] Better assessment of submersion events from sedimentary archives, of
the sediment stocks with geophysical techniques, and of the influence of
relevant parameters on the set-up of sediment instabilities; better
understanding of the interaction between the different hazards
(erosion/submersion, entrance of lagoons, …) including atmospheric input of
nutrients, and monitoring of the non-cohesive sediment transport at the scale
of the sedimentary cells.
Focus on ITC&Data
[G] (International standards on) Data and metadata
model: [J] interoperability among different
information systems need to standardise models;
need of data infrastructure providing access to
historical data (SeaDataNet should be
complementary to EMODnet).
[N/O] Standardisation of data and metadata model with the implementation of
common vocabularies: [J] to allow interoperability among different information
systems; [N/O] links between national systems and a pan-European
infrastructure: [J] to support EU research on global change.
Notes: about carbon sequestration see also 'deep sea ecosystem' + 'SeaDataNet should be complementary to EMODnet': framework condition?
Ref.: Document1
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BLUE MED MAPPING – 26 Aug 2014. Draft V0.
DEEP SEA ECOSYSTEMS
DEEP SEA ECOSYSTEMS
(including the openocean and deep-sea
circulation as a vector
of human pressures
and their impact on
marine ecosystems)
Ref.: Document1
IDENTIFIED GAPS AND RELATED JUSTIFICATION
A. [G] Knowledge on: interaction of the near-bottom flows with the
seafloor and their related deep water processes at different
scales; deep ocean circulation time scales; submarine geohazards
significance and their potential impacts on society, economic
systems; deep marine ecosystems and their dependence on
environmental conditions; variability of hydrodynamic conditions
of the ocean interiors, including pathways that interconnect
subbasins and the exchanges between the shelves and the open
ocean (i.e. canyons), and relevance of these processes in the
dispersal of contaminants and marine litter: [J] sustainable
exploitation and harvesting of deep-sea resources, of the diversity
of marine life, climate forecasting, climate change; risks
management, considering the highly dynamic geological setting,
the high density of coastal infrastructures and the intensive
tourist exploitation; assessment of environmental impact;
validation of hydrodynamic models (e.g. for deep-sea current
estimates).
B. [G] Morphological and bathymetric maps for exploring: location
and extension of large organic structures in deep sea (eg. Cold
White Corals); detailed morphology of non-tropical carbonate
escarpments to investigate the nature and dynamics of canyon
and landslide processes responsible; relation between ecosystems
and deep underwater volcanism; presence of sunken wrecks with
chemical and biological risk (ex. weapons and toxic substances);
deep marine biological and abiotic resources (ex. fisheries,
methane deposits); areas at risk of potential contamination by
toxic releases from legal and illegal dumping: [J] to proper
manage these areas (specific technology and large oceanographic
vessels required).
C. [G] Carbon export and sequestration in deep Med waters: [J]
characterize particle dynamics/transformations, dissolved organic
carbon input by deep water formation, and microbial food webs.
12
R&I NEEDS/OPPORTUNITIES AND RELATED JUSTIFICATION
A. [N/O] Studies on ocean motion over seafloor,
biogeochemical cycle, particle deposition, and microbial
food web; corals and fauna description; identification of
geohabitats and geohazards (including offshore);
mapping and managing deep sea ecosystems and their
relationship to the environmental changes; (large scale)
observational studies focused to the dispersal of
contaminants and other anthropic pressures: [J]
determining in collaboration with industry implications of
ocean circulations in economic deep-sea resources;
geohazards have been tested to condition Med societies
evolution, and have to be identified for future
generations; reduce adverse impacts and adopt costeffective remediation actions.
B. [N/O] Shared oceanographic research vessels; tie the
deep to the littoral and the coastal zone too in a holistic
vision; develop new submarine technologies able to
operate at high depths even in particular environments
like volcanic deep ecosystems, and particularly
geophysical and high-definition optical underwaters
technologies: [J] without the development of new
technologies specifically voted to deep sea, it is very
unlikely deal with this kind of research; similarly, the
construction of a Mediterranean ships equipped with
scientific instruments capable of operating at greater
depths is the first problem to be solved at national and
European level with the involvement of the SME too.
C. [N/O] Creation of common data set: [J] links with
MerMeX and IMBER projects.
BLUE MED MAPPING – 26 Aug 2014. Draft V0.
Notes: about carbon sequestration see also 'climate change' (links with MerMeX and IMBER projects: framework conditions?)
DEEP SEA MINING, OIL AND GAS SUSTAINABLE EXPLOITATION
DEEP SEA
MINING, OIL
AND GAS
SUSTAINABLE
EXPLOITATION
IDENTIFIED GAPS AND RELATED JUSTIFICATION
A. [G] Systematic mapping and identification of gas hydrate
deposits: [J] potential for the occurrence of gas hydrate
deposits in the Mediterranean Sea has been shown;
methane cold seeps and frequently associated with
them gas hydrates (methane in solid state) constitute a
major target for non-living, energy resource surveys.
B. [G] Technologies for implementing the use of a-biotic
marine resources: [J] to start-up a really new economic
sector.
C. [G] Monitoring together and within the phases of
exploration and exploitation: [J] reach a sustainable
exploitation of marine resources for safety reasons and
to minimize the environmental impacts and properly set
up procedures, capacities and services in the Med region
and/or its sub-regions.
Ref.: Document1
13
R&I NEEDS/OPPORTUNITIES AND RELATED JUSTIFICATION
A. [N/O] Deep-water high-resolution surveys in areas of known "cold-seep"
activity and mud volcanoes for the assessment of probable, exploitable
deposits: [J] gas hydrates may offer a solution for additional, "clean",
energy resources, once extended deposits will be found and can be
extracted from the seafloor + gas hydrates, methane coldseeps and mud
volcanoes create "extreme environments" on the seafloor, which host very
unusual biodiversity + dissolution of gas hydrates may constitute a
potential mechanism for offshore mass failures.
B. [N/O] Development of new sustainable methods for offshore exploitation
of mineral resources, with innovative solutions to permit the transit and
the effective operation of ships in this sensitive areas, protected and
subject to strict environmental regulations: [J] concept design of next
generation over-drill ships to minimize the environmental impact.
C. [N/O] Strategies for environmental protection (e.g. impacts on marine
mammals), MSP in connection with ship routing, development of
transnational safety procedures, capacities and services for safe mining
and oil and gas exploitation (including energy from hydrothermal vents): [J]
new standards for environmental protection to preserve the GES while
increasing the economic added value of deep-sea marine resources.
BLUE MED MAPPING – 26 Aug 2014. Draft V0.
LIVING MARINE RESOURCES (FISHERY, AQUACULTURE, ETC.)
LIVING
MARINE
RESOURCES
IDENTIFIED GAPS AND RELATED JUSTIFICATION
Fishery,
Aquaculture,
etc. - General
issues
Ref.: Document1
A. [G] FISHERIES: improvement of stock assessment for pelagic
stocks and age determination of small pelagic fish (sardine
and anchovy); accompanying the evolution of traditional
and small scale fisheries for the coastal economies, and
including recreational activity into a sustainable use of
coastal resources: [J] to improve the quality of the
assessments (GFCM: SAC13/2011/Inf.21) and annual age
validation studies (ICES); to target a local market; to
accomplish EU legislation to establish control and decision
measures on recreational fishery, to be compatible with the
Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) (e.g. by estimating the
contribution of RF to exploitation of fish resources).
B. [G] AQUACULTURE: integration of aquaculture systems in
their environment (i.e. sustainability): [J] to ensure the
development of this major activity while protecting the
marine environment, therefore to develop sustainable
socio-economy, avoiding conflicts with other activities,
either by the use of space, or by the use of resources, within
a proper MSP process.
C. SPECIFIC INPUTS: proper use and further development of
the monitoring system (to be) set up to accomplish to the
Water Framework Directive the MSFD and the ECAP; actions
devoted to fish and mussels farming (e.g. entering into a
time contract; overcome the weak collaboration (reticence)
from local farmers; lack of data on noise and energy input in
the sea (see MSFD implementation); cleaning technology in
both freshwater and marine larval hatchery tanks in
recirculating aquaculture systems: [J] support the next step
and the long term achievements of the Water Framework
14
R&I NEEDS/OPPORTUNITIES AND RELATED JUSTIFICATION
A. [N/O] FISHERIES: address the importance of traditional and small scale
fisheries, evaluating their impact on ecosystems and services provided;
explore relations with marine biodiversity, including exotic (invasive)
species and endemic species to be possibly exploited; monitor the
progression of discrete length models across months; consolidate the
application of integrated assessment methods; include recreational
fisheries into management: [J] to ensure the sustainable management of
this sectorial activity to sustain coastal economies; understanding
growth, demography and population dynamics of important species (e.g.
sardine, anchovy, tunnidae, ...) to improve the inputs for the stock
assessments (e.g. by means of integrated catch at age or length based
assessments, data poor approaches, integration of acoustic surveys; to
deal with recreational fisheries (RF) as key economic driver, imposing
strong demand on ecosystem services (10% of the EU population fishes in
fresh and marine waters).
B. [N/O] AQUACULTURE: monitoring selected suitable sites; develop multitrophic integrated rearing systems; farming of rapid growth species and
better economic use; assessing and projecting aquaculture capacities
with respect to the changing environment; design of innovative feed for
fish, with low impact on resources (proteins and fish oils replacement
with other ingredients from animal / vegetal origin); technologies to
promote the sustainable growth of aquaculture (e.g. use of recirculated
water circuits and its energy efficiency, integration with renewable
systems = off-shore aquaculture; low energy systems for onshore farms):
[J] to cope ecological crises, considering rapid changes in temperature
and salinity and farmed species exposure to micro-organisms brought by
the watershed, potential pathogens in the environment or toxic algal
blooms, and to anthropogenic xenobiotics; to produce food through a
balanced natural-like system; to assess the impact of the composition of
BLUE MED MAPPING – 26 Aug 2014. Draft V0.
LIVING
MARINE
RESOURCES
IDENTIFIED GAPS AND RELATED JUSTIFICATION
Directive, the Marine Strategy Framework Directiv, the ECAP
and the CFP; drawback for both technology-providing and
fish farming SMEs.
Focus on
sustainable
use of
resources
[G] Proper and larger application of the Good Environmental
Status concept, linking natural and social and economic sciences;
efforts to maintain the long-term prosperity and sustainability of
marine resources (e.g. improve stocks assessment to control the
fishing pressure; assess the effects on food web of habitat
destruction and the depletion of key predator and prey species;
minimize potential impacts of mariculture); design and
application of marine protected areas, drawing on codes of best
practices already developed and through the institutions of
environmental education centers; specific knowledge on:
environmental impacts to fisheries and aquaculture; ecosystem
effects of removal of fishery discards; links between the fisheries
resources and the lower trophic levels and environmental
Ref.: Document1
15
R&I NEEDS/OPPORTUNITIES AND RELATED JUSTIFICATION
the diet fed to aquacultured fish to the organoleptic properties and
chemical constitution of the produced fish (e.g. concentration of ω-3
fatty acids) as required by increasing significance of aquaculture for
covering the food needs; to tune up technologies that facilitate the
cultivation of a particular species, integrating several disciplines
(breeding, reproduction, health, nutrition and environmental impact); to
shift of aquaculture activities from the sea shore, where there are
conflicts with other industries or activities (e.g. tourism) to the open sea
(e.g. on floating, multi purpose platforms) and anyway to make onshore
farms sustainable.
C. [N/O] SPECIFIC INPUTS: environmental protection; collaboration with
molecular biologists; studies on problems deriving from the introduction
of alien species; trans-boundary collaboration: [J] Marine Spatial Planning
ECAP and MSFD; molecular confirmation of the species identification
based on classical morphological methods; UNESCO - IOC Large Marine
Areas protection.
[N/O] Trans-boundary collaboration, environmental protection, virtuous
process based on: setting objectives for the overall condition in the
ecosystem, translated into operational targets and limits for ecosystem
status; monitoring and research; assessment of the current situation; and
adaptive management: [J] Ecosystem Approach to Management, a
multidisciplinary and multi-scale challenge that requires mutual
understanding, trust and confidence to be developed between a broad range
of actors, in order to ensure effective communication and to design
innovative research programmes with new implementation tools across the
different scientific fields and the existing management and governance
systems; Common Fisheries Policy; general support to the monitoring needs
in EU directives and in ECAP –UNEP process
BLUE MED MAPPING – 26 Aug 2014. Draft V0.
LIVING
MARINE
RESOURCES
IDENTIFIED GAPS AND RELATED JUSTIFICATION
R&I NEEDS/OPPORTUNITIES AND RELATED JUSTIFICATION
drivers: [J] to promote an ecosystem approach to fisheries
management, being a pillar of the Integrated Maritime Policy,
supporting the Marine Strategy Framework Directive too,
implementing the MSP also considering the need to protect
nursery grounds and biodiversity hot spot areas (to be properly
indentified where not known via standard methods –to be
further developed) ; to facilitate sustainable development in its
three dimensions, namely, environmental protection, social
equity and cohesion and economic prosperity (e.g. correct
implementation of the landing obligation), taking into
consideration the changes of hydrographic and environmental
conditions, together with human exploitation.
Notes: To be considered: much of the work developed in the ICES area regarding the formulation of advice on data poor stock will be applicable to many of the
Mediterranean pelagic stocks.
Ref.: Document1
16
BLUE MED MAPPING – 26 Aug 2014. Draft V0.
MARINE HAZARDS
MARINE
HAZARDS
General
issues
IDENTIFIED GAPS AND RELATED JUSTIFICATION
A. [G] Knowledge on the dynamics of the organisms involved in the
production of emerging toxins and their transfer through the
food web and other environmental components: [J] prevent
diseases.
B. [G] New tools and new coastal stations for extreme events
observation; integrated and unified operational Mediterranean
system for marine hazards; geophysical and multidisciplinary
observatories; high resolution seabed mapping of marine
geohazards (coupled with knowledge transfer from EU to non-EU
countries); seismic high resolution surveys (different scale) to
deeply understand the seismologic functioning, including
submarine earthquakes, subsea avalanches: [J] to consider
strong impacts on the coasts of hazards (including those
generated offshore) and extreme events, that are rare and
difficult to predict, but still deserve quantification; to cover all
hazards from hourly timescales (tsunamis) to seasonal and
interannual timescales (climate changes); to monitor and
respond to catastrophic events; to collect interdisciplinary data
(e.g. useful also to the MSFD); to develop a common procedure
and relevant standards for the purpose of mitigation measures
taking and risk estimation along coastal areas.
C. [G] Ad hoc (coastal areas and open sea) observing and modelling
systems, for detection and early warning, able to monitor the
impact of physical and bio-geochemical processes on marine
catastrophic events such as floods, storm surges, seascape
abrupt changes; adequate fully coupled atmosphere-wavescurrents models for oil spills tracking: [J] manage the hazards in
the marine environment, whether natural or manmade, also in a
climate change scenario.
Ref.: Document1
17
R&I NEEDS/OPPORTUNITIES AND RELATED JUSTIFICATION
A. [N/O] Improving management of emerging marine toxins affecting
human health, from the identification to the incidence assessment and
development of effective plans for risk management: [J] to understand
the dynamics of the harmful events and to implement early-warning
strategies for their detection, through harmonized laboratory and
public actions coordinating food safety agencies, research laboratories,
medical and public health institutions and socio-economic specialists.
B. [N/O] Improvement of the observatory system to capture extreme
events by means of new technologies, and specifically smart sensors to
collect biological data and images in the water column and seabed,
detect noise and introduction of energy; development of operational
systems for forecasting; systematic swath bathymetry mapping to
reveal detailed morphology of the seafloor; large scale and local seismic
profiling surveys to locate and study active geological feature; develop
adaptive sampling strategies; better assessment of hazards from paleo
records and from analysis and characterization of active fault lines: [J]
hazard monitoring, forecasting, and risk assessment and management,
warning formulation, transmission and dissemination of warnings,
elaboration of scenaria to help stakeholders and authorities designing
measures to mitigate impact; hundreds to thousands years of high
seismic activity shown; relevance of coastal economic activities
(fisheries, tourism, offshore and onshore infrastructures).
C. [N/O] increasing the marine observation points, integrated with landbased stations and with EO; standardisation of data and metadata
model, with implementation of common vocabularies; dialogue with
national and international stakeholders and dissemination to civilians;
formalization of extreme case in a modelling system (for hindcast and
forecast studies).
BLUE MED MAPPING – 26 Aug 2014. Draft V0.
MARINE POLLUTION
MARINE POLLUTION
with a focus on
contaminants
(hazardous, noxious,
emergin) and
(bio)remediation, and
including marine litter
and anthropogenic
pressures
Ref.: Document1
IDENTIFIED GAPS AND RELATED JUSTIFICATION
A. [G] Knowledge on: sources of pollution and occurrence and fate
of chemical and biological hazardous and noxious substances
(HNS); new approaches from individual or classes of chemicals
to mixtures; new analytical methods to detect and quantify
emerging pollutants in sea water, sediments and biota;
interactions between bioavailability and biological effects of
chemical and biological hazardous/HNS with environmental
factors and climate change (e.g. ocean acidification and
temperature) and between environmental conditions,
geochemical cycles and pollutant dynamics in food webs, also
to model exchanges between marine ecosystem
compartments; determination of the significance and risk of
low level of exposure; information on quantities, flows, effects
of marine litter and impact on the environment, living
resources, and on humans; bioremediation resources in
polluted sites (including microbial resources in the deep ocean)
and of alternative management strategies: [J] to properly
consider important pollutants interactions in complex mixtures
and modulation by changing environmental conditions,
including long-term effects and adaptive responses in
chronically polluted environments; to adapt the approach to
monitoring the presence, biological effects, environmental risk,
as well as potential health effects; to complement remediation
methods (as dredging, not cost effective), to predict multiplestressor impacts besides long-term ecological effects.
B. [G] Assessment, modelling, validation, and monitoring.
Specifically: environmental fate and distribution, accumulation,
transfer through trophic chain; biological effects and
environmental risk of emerging pollutants, including
engineered nanomaterials (ENMs), nano- and microplastics,
pharmaceuticals; ecosystem exposure to contaminants and
their transfer in the food web to the resources; new ecological
risk assessment models linking different typologies of data and
18
R&I NEEDS/OPPORTUNITIES AND RELATED JUSTIFICATION
A. [N/O] In depth NHS analysis and assessment. Specifically:
develop analytical methods to measure chemicals and
microorganisms in different marine matrices (e.g. water,
sediment, biota and waste) characterizing the sources
and pathways causing their release into the Sea;
development of sensors (both bio- and not) to early
detect HNS presence in the environment (Early Warning
Systems) and identify potential ecotoxicological effects
from exposure; investigate deep sea contamination
levels; explore relations between the measured
concentrations of chemicals and their biological effects;
create and maintain a common and open database;
modelling litter transport and transformation,
documenting the sources and the rate of pollution due to
marine litter, assessing its consequences; develop
effective systems for waste treatment and management,
including possible re-use and recycling of potentially
hazardous materials, to prevent/reduce pollutant release
in the marine environment; identify areas with defined
(low to high) potential risk of entrance of stressors
causing chemical or biological disturbance: [J] to respond
to the problem through a harmonized regional coastal
management scheme, taking into account national
specificities, needs, opportunities and priorities; to
positively drive outcomes towards innovation and
economic development (Green Economy); to assess
present threats of marine litter to the living resources
and human health; to plan ecosystem-based
environmental interventions, extending the strategies for
research and technology implementation of
bioremediation.
B. [N/O] Tools/instruments/methods development.
Specifically: new criteria to characterize environmental
BLUE MED MAPPING – 26 Aug 2014. Draft V0.
MARINE POLLUTION
IDENTIFIED GAPS AND RELATED JUSTIFICATION
biological effects; interactions between land‐ocean and the
anthropogenic processes leading to pollution (industries
distribution, urbanization effect/runoff of mega cities, coastal
development, maritime infrastructure and traffic, aquaculture,
etc.); real-time surface sea currents recording; cause‐effect
indicators; uniform data collection system with shared
methodologies and quality standards; connection of monitoring
initiatives of different countries: [J] to develop speciation
studies of contaminants, and their transfer in the pelagic and
benthic realms in areas such as river mouths and cities bays; to
quantify the intensity of pressures; to help mitigation e.g. when
there are large surface oil slicks; to improve the integration
between the scientific community and relevant government
agencies, including cross-border and trans-boundary cooperation.
C. [G] Focus areas: corrosion of shipwrecks sunken during naval
war operations in WWII and the associated pollution risk as
latent danger; acoustic and non-acoustic radiations; adequate
regulatory framework to manage the coastal waste; early
detection and response of spills, with particular regard to heavy
oils: [J] to cope with an unknown risk with a large impact
potential in preserved underwater and coastal areas, including
cities and touristic destinations; increasing concern in the
international community (MSFD) on the effects of the acoustics
and non‐acoustic underwater radiations on the marine life; to
coordinate institutions and authorities, with particular regard to
the communication and transparency among the various
research, administrative and economic sectors involved in the
waste management issue.
R&I NEEDS/OPPORTUNITIES AND RELATED JUSTIFICATION
risk detecting the exact position and directions of
pollution; standardization of new analytical
methods/instruments, including biosensors and real-time
in situ monitoring systems; software-assisted models for
environmental risk assessment, integrating different
typologies of data (e.g. including quantified
anthropogenic pressures and potential impacts); increase
the public awareness and define good practices: [J] to
determine key triggers for environmental risk assessment
such as presence, distribution, persistence and
bioaccumulation, synergistic effects and modulation by
environmental conditions; to assess the state of
environmental quality; to foster strong interaction
between science, policy makers and industrial partners
for a sustainable protection, management, and
exploitation of the marine environment (site-oriented
decisions); to introduce appropriate management
strategies, defining useful tools for Marine Spatial
Planning and for the regional implementation of the EU
MSFD.
C. [N/O] Risk assessment of oil pollution in the
Mediterranean from WWII shipwrecks; technologies and
procedures to build extensive databases of acoustic and
non‐ acoustic underwater radiations: [J] to establish
protocols or specific actions to proceed; to design
effective protective measures.
Notes: links with Biodiversity, Deep Sea Ecosystems, Blue Biotechnology, MSP-ICZM + framework condition: within the Italian Flag Project RITMARE there is an
ongoing study on the ecosystem functioning in severely impacted areas defined as Sites of National Interest.
Ref.: Document1
19
BLUE MED MAPPING – 26 Aug 2014. Draft V0.
MARITIME TRANSPORT
MARITIME
TRANSPORT
IDENTIFIED GAPS AND RELATED JUSTIFICATION
including airquality and
cooperation
among port
authorities
Ref.: Document1
A. [G] Innovation technologies, including KETs, and
advanced KETs products for the competiveness
of vessels, and in particular: integrated systems
for the energy efficiency (new energy vectors –
including electric - and propulsion systems) and
for the safety and security of the vessel,
lightening and innovative materials, ship/vessel
resistance reduction, stability and dynamic
behavior of the vessel/ship vulnerability and
resilience, pilot assistance and guidance systems,
automatic navigation, extended connectivity,
eco-design, manufacturing, life cycle design,
solutions for smart transport infrastructures: [J]
maintaining the technology leadership of Europe,
to improve: the environmental performance also
by fuel consumption monitoring, reducing CO2
and other air/water emissions and the
dependence on fossil fuels; the energy efficiency;
the safety of cargo and passengers during
navigation, also supporting the decision making
process in emergency situation onboard ships
(towards 'zero' accidents); the port efficiency and
mobility, reducing (harbor city) traffic congestion
and air pollution; the comfort on board.
B. [G] Connecting the environment and the
maritime transport (including cruise tourism) to
be used as a platform for ocean monitoring,
cooperating for improved transport and logistics
(reduce marine pollution and marine traffic
trough sensitive areas), and improving the
information exchange in terms of technology
that could be required: [J] to achieve social and
20
R&I NEEDS/OPPORTUNITIES AND RELATED JUSTIFICATION
A. [N/O] Innovative developments for the design and management of vessels with an
eco-friendly approach to the whole life cycle (including carbon footprint
reduction), from modelling to e-solutions and new technologies, improving the
sustainability of vessels and systems for a smart mobility.
Specific examples include: models for the measurement and monitoring of fuel
consumption, for traffic and security management; new technologies for efficient energy
production and management (on board demand), including innovative fuels, solutions for
the dual use of energy sources, and engineering studies on engines, electrical motors,
propellers and thrusters; techniques for the prediction of extreme ship motions
(parametric roll, surf riding, etc.); materials (nano-, biobased, , recycled, etc.) highly
performing and environmental compatible for the treatment of chemical and biological
emissions and for the protection of structures by natural agents; new approaches and
technologies for waste recovery characterization and reduction of the noise radiated into
air and water; e-Maritime solutions providing a complete integration between planning
and management of operations, including weather and sea conditions forecast; tools to
support mobility in congested areas and/or in critical situations, identification and
definition of safety and security parameters in order to decrease the risk of fatal accidents;
ICT and geo-location devices, augmented reality and virtual reality to improve the human's
interactions with the ship and support onboard operations; sensor and communication
systems vessel-to-infrastructure and vessel-to-client; integrated systems for the
identification of goods in transit and tracking the movement of hazardous cargo;
enhancement and integration of network infrastructure to support the commercial and
tourist mobility; unmanned vehicles for monitoring and maintenance of marine structures;
solutions for the integration of production processes; modular and reconfigurable
architectures for transportation, including interior of vehicles: [J] security of the vessel
(diagnostic vessels systems), passengers, environment: emergency and ship
evacuation management methodologies for the prediction of residual structural
integrity, buoyancy, stability, energy deployment + Ability to navigate the ship in
degraded conditions (safe return to port); validation of the benefits and the level
of market acceptance of the solutions obtained; enhancing the attractiveness of
the economy and tourism of the country; improvement of the wealth of
knowledge and skills for maintaining the global competitiveness of the industry
sector.
B. [N/O] Research on envelopes of operational and policy measures and practices can
BLUE MED MAPPING – 26 Aug 2014. Draft V0.
MARITIME
TRANSPORT
IDENTIFIED GAPS AND RELATED JUSTIFICATION
environments sustainability respecting
environmental targets while pursuing the growth
of coastal and nautical tourism (cruise and
sailing); to take advantage of the opportunity
offered by increased maritime transport for
better spatial and temporal coverage of ocean
measurement through new and cheap sensors
and instrumentation mounted to vessels for
measuring environmental conditions (also for
supporting the needs of the Marine Strategy
Framework Directive).
C. [G] Data regarding air quality impact of ship
(NOxs) emissions (especially in-port) and related
port activities: [J] to manage mutual feedbacks
between harbors as important source of
economic development for coastal areas and
ship emissions as source of pollution with impact
on climate and health.
Ref.: Document1
21
R&I NEEDS/OPPORTUNITIES AND RELATED JUSTIFICATION
provide a sustainable framework for shipping (e.g. exploring whether the Med
basin (or parts of it) can be turned into an Emissions Control Area (ECA)),
developing a quantifiable model for sustainability for maritime transport: [J]
impact on the shipping community, the ports, the refineries and fuel providers, the
local residents by improving the wealth of knowledge and skills for maintaining the
competitiveness throughout the value chain, through demonstrators / 'test site' to
validate the solutions obtained, and new solutions for product / process / service
candidates for subsequent industrialization, with the objective of achieve
environmental targets and strategies (i.e. Europa2020 Transport White Paper).
C. [N/O] Develop state-of-the-art integrated methodologies to measure and evaluate,
at trans-national level, the impact of ship and harbors on air on a comparable way
in different Med harbors/areas through trans-boundary collaboration: [J] to have a
reliable and comparable methodology for the different harbors to plan common
trans-national mitigation strategies, future actions for environmental management
of harbors (MSP), and to collect reference datasets to evaluate the effects of
mitigation strategies, new regulations/laws and voluntary agreements.
BLUE MED MAPPING – 26 Aug 2014. Draft V0.
MSP-ICZM
MSP-ICZM
IDENTIFIED GAPS AND RELATED JUSTIFICATION
including
links with
observing
systems and
information
technology
Ref.: Document1
A. [G] Information about relevant socio-economic issues
connected to sea-based activities (e.g. oil and gas,
fisheries, shipping, tourism) together with detailed
knowledge of marine ecosystems, including offshore
environment, vulnerable ecosystems, archaeological
remains, etc. is also relevant, as well as the identification
of risks on environmental processes and biodiversity: [J] to
give more practical instruments and support to Public
Authorities in order to accomplish EU Directive
“Establishing a framework for maritime spatial planning”
in connection with the implementation of the ICZM
Protocol, within the Barcelona Convention.
B. [G] Evaluation of cumulative impacts of coastal and marine
uses and their related pressures on the marine
ecosystems, to practically support the implementation of
the Ecosystem-Based Management (EBM) principle
developing an aware planning (including climate changes
at local scales) in coastal areas and maritime activity
sectors: [J] to pursue - in line with the overarching
principle of EU and International policies on water
resources, the marine environment and their uses - the
strategy for an integrated management of land, water and
living resources that provides sustainable delivery of
ecosystem services (through affordable observational
networks) in an equitable way, where human population
and economic/social systems are seen as integral parts of
the ecosystem, including ICZM diagnostics and projections
at local scales (coastal counties and cities), coastal risks
prevention, coastal and marine environment protection,
avoidance or mitigation of conflicts in maritime activities.
C. [G] Common and evolved frameworks integrating ICZM
and MSP, with access to data and data integration and
management to support decision-making, and
22
R&I NEEDS/OPPORTUNITIES AND RELATED JUSTIFICATION
A. [N/O] Exploitation of sea resources harmonized within an ecosystem
framework: renewable energy, fisheries and aquaculture, environmental
protection of marine reserves, sediment extraction, CO2 stocking, filling
and restocking the shoreline, cable, pipeline and platform installation,
artificial islands, tourism and recreation activities, production of fossil fuel
power, ports, navigation, logistics, scientific research, etc. (pressures and
impacts from these activities to be estimated and evaluated): [J] EU
Roadmap Communication identifies MSP as a tool which has the potential
to deal with a number of issues related to sustainable use of the seas but
coordinated coastal and maritime spatial planning activities at Member
States level are few.
B. [N/O] Support EBM implementation including integrated solution in
coastal and maritime space planning and management by developing
transnational methodology and through: improved knowledge of
ecosystems status and functioning; conceptual and operational schemes to
combine and rank pressures and impacts, taking into account the social
and economic dimension; new technologies and systems affordably
enabling an increase in the spatio-temporal resolution of in-situ coastal
observations together with a harmonized European Spatial Data
Infrastructure. Idea of interest: identification of pilot areas where the
intensity of information could be higher in order to achieve the ICZM: [J] to
respond to research challenges on this topic, promoting the integration
between the marine and maritime world and articulating sectorial R&I and
policies, e.g. coordinating civil protection plans and coastal marine
contingency plans, with particular regard to the coastal marine ecosystem
that are especially sensitive to anthropogenic impact (IPCC report, 2014);
to establish good practices and implement common marine European
policies to recover coastal marine ecosystem, quantify risk and improve
resilience of European society, and also solve conflicting activities.
C. [N/O] Technologies for data management and integration with
capitalization on previous research projects and transfer of data acquired
and tools developed and tested (e.g. maps, remote sensing, model
outputs, etc.); development of tools to support knowledge sharing,
BLUE MED MAPPING – 26 Aug 2014. Draft V0.
MSP-ICZM
IDENTIFIED GAPS AND RELATED JUSTIFICATION
international standards on digital object identifiers: [J] to
fully implement EU and International policies (e.g. ICZM
Protocol under Barcelona Convention and new EU
Directive on MSP, but also related policies and Directives,
such as MFSD, WFD, H&B Directive, CFP, Blue Growth,
ESIF, etc.), through data ready to use for planning and
management at the different geographical scales, and
through integrated, effectively used and maintained tools
to assist decisions, providing quality assurance and quality
control.
Notes: pay attention to links with 'Marine Hazard'.
Ref.: Document1
23
R&I NEEDS/OPPORTUNITIES AND RELATED JUSTIFICATION
networking, capacity building, and of common frameworks, using crosssectorial and multi / trans-disciplinary approaches at a transnational scale;
research on governance and management processes in support to
policies; promotion of permanent research networks, directly linked with
administrators and key stakeholders as well as of methods for including
the interlink data - publication in metadata: [J] to support knowledge
based society promoting science to policy transfer with the proper
knowledge and tools (e.g. those for assessment and diagnosis like models,
indicators, stakeholder involvement, etc.) required by planning and
adaptive management process, integrating for instance the natural and the
social dimension.
BLUE MED MAPPING – 26 Aug 2014. Draft V0.
OCEAN RENEWABLE ENERGY
OCEAN
RENEWABLE
ENERGY
IDENTIFIED GAPS AND RELATED JUSTIFICATION
A. [G] Mapping of all ocean renewable energy resources, from the
identification and study of areas with potential as energy source (in terms of
wind, wave, currents and their over threshold persistence) to the discovery
of new energy renewable sources (like geothermal) working in connection
with industry, in order to implement renewable sources at sea (wind,
currents, etc.) and define the way that new technologies could help getting
the energy without destroying the marine environment (as wind farms
normally require shallow waters and wind fields that could be used are
almost in high biodiversity places) and possibly find solution for off shore
farms (as tourism and energy are competing for the same space): [J]
renewable energy sources importance with respect to traditional sources is
recognized, therefore it is important to objectively map ocean renewable
resources potential at the basin scale, to see if they are exploitable with the
present level of technology and allow a more efficient planning of the
needed infrastructures.
B. [G] New and innovation technologies: improving predictability of energy
output, with more knowledge at the sea testing stage for a given climatic
condition, and developing tools to help enhance the understanding of
turbulence and its contribution to component fatigue; increasing
affordability through innovation and cost reduction; moving from first scale
prototype to commercial production, to demonstrate the manufacturability
of optimised component and system designs and the use of alternative new
materials as substitutes for steel; consider aquatic biomass as sources of
new biobased products2; build deep water supporting structures for
offshore wind turbines: [J] to start-up a really new dedicate (e.g. wave
climate in the MED presents characteristics different from those of the main
oceans, so there is a need for energy converters specifically designed or to
evaluate the cost and feasibility to construct deep-strucutre-wind-turbines)
economic sector, since most ocean energy technologies are under
2
To be transferred/also quoted under the marine biotech session. Bioenergy only should be quoted here.
Ref.: Document1
24
R&I NEEDS/OPPORTUNITIES AND RELATED JUSTIFICATION
A. [N/O] Applications of MSP, monitoring selected suitable
sites, better characterizing available ocean resource and
including studies on biodiversity: [J] to properly evaluate
exploitation possibilities, locating strong waves and
marking currents (especially currents systems that are
reported to flow in the coastline vicinity of the southern
European countries).
B. [N/O] Development and application of new technologies
(and improvement of those actually under study),
especially for wavers and currents: devices (whose design
relies on the knowledge of the wave climate) and
demonstrators for extracting, harvesting, and use
(hydrokinetic) energy from the marine environment
(currents, waves, tides, thermal, etc.), also in
combination with offshore wind energy; biorefinery
processes2; and forecast system of the energy resource:
[J] strong industry involvement and cutting edge
research, e.g. to overcome engineering problems
regarding the survivability of the components and the
optimization of the installation, in order to make this
resources more economical competitive (also considering
limited biomass availability and land unusable for
agriculture in the Med Area), and to improve the
predictability of energy output.
C. [N/O] Improve efficiency (also in terms of effective
range), widen the potential farm areas (floating devices
for open sea etc), including test and monitoring sites on
sea, optimize the power grid charge (both temporally and
geographically) with an advantage on the management,
BLUE MED MAPPING – 26 Aug 2014. Draft V0.
OCEAN
RENEWABLE
ENERGY
IDENTIFIED GAPS AND RELATED JUSTIFICATION
demonstration/pre-commercial stage/have a limited number of applications
and costs can be very high in the start-up phase, also due to the fact that
different areas of resource availability may require different technical
solutions, that are not exportable everywhere.
C. [G] Technical issues: numerical simulations at small scales for a proper
design of energy converters and identification of their effects on the marine
environment; monitoring of energy converter; accurate forecasting system
to couple converters to the national grid; Wave Energy Converters (WECs)
development: [J] huge potential to develop the production of high valueadded products, considering that a sensible part of the EC electricity
consumption can be covered by wave power, if delivered via an efficient
power grid, justifying the importance to establish feasibility of extracting
energy from waves in territorial waters and to individuate the investment
strategy for exploitation.
Ref.: Document1
25
R&I NEEDS/OPPORTUNITIES AND RELATED JUSTIFICATION
promote widely applied protocols (see EC funded
EQUIMAR Project) and standards to select the optimal
site for WECs, develop an integrated decision tool to
select the optimal sites, fulfill energy requirements: [J]
efficient and effective design, standardization of the
procedures to evaluate converters and their impacts;
effective energy distribution; market stimulation towards
wave energy conversion, showing through case studies
the reliability and economical benefit of WECs.
BLUE MED MAPPING – 26 Aug 2014. Draft V0.
OCEANS AND HUMAN HEALTH
OCEANS AND
HUMAN HEALTH
including harmful
marine organisms
(gelatinous
organisms, toxic
algae, new
pathogens)
IDENTIFIED GAPS AND RELATED JUSTIFICATION
A. [G] Knowledge on: jellyfish lifecycles,
swarm sizes and occurrence, connection
with ecosystem functioning, occurrence of
harmful algal blooms/pathogens, role of
non indigenous species, impact of global
changes: [J] major risk for human health.
B. [G] Management of wastewater effluent
(brine management): [J] adverse effects of
brine producing diebacks across large
areas in their vicinity.
C. [G] Assessment of human-made pollution
and their influence to living resources: [J]
new human-made contaminants in marine
food.
D. [G] Development and support of an
interdisciplinary and collaborative
research, training, and policy program on
Oceans and Human Health linking GES to
human health and wellbeing: [J] critical
issue as shown by the European Marine
Board position paper on Oceans and
Human Health.
R&I NEEDS/OPPORTUNITIES AND RELATED JUSTIFICATION
A. [N/O] Combined effort of marine scientists and citizen science to better estimate the
dimension of the events, and their role on the ecosystem functioning; development of
adaptive monitoring strategies (airplane, acoustic) together with autonomous systems
able to follow the swarms and the blooms (AUV, smart drifters); adoption of best
practices to mitigate the adverse impact on economic activities (e.g. aquaculture and
tourism); assessment of climate effects on the extreme events by modelling
component: [J] to reduce the impact of the outbursts on economical activities and
human health (150,000 people were treated for jellyfish stings around the
Mediterranean each summer, many-million euro worth economical losses reported by
HAB impacts on aquaculture ).
B. [N/O] Brine production avoidance/closing the loop of water in the desalination sector:
[J] European Water Platform (WssTP) identifies the need for brine handling as a
priority in Research and Development (R&D) for ensuring the creation of an efficient,
coordinated and strong European water research area.
C. [N/O] Assessing the rate of fish and shellfish contamination and of risks for human
health: [J] to better know new contaminants brought in the oceans, especially in
marine food production chains.
D. [N/O] Integrated monitoring and interpretation of emerging risks and impacts on both
ecosystems and human health and wellbeing (including climate change and extreme
weather on coasts, studies on the interactions between anthropogenic chemicals and ocean
acidification, new harmful algal and jellyfish blooms, toxins, pathogens and resistance,
cumulative effects of low level exposures to chemical mixtures and microbes in food chain and
ecosystems, acute and chronic diseases on vulnerable populations): [J] new research
questions (e.g. new evidence suggesting that environmental health has significant
effects on both physical and mental human health), challenges, and promising
business opportunities related to marine biotechnology, aquaculture, marine energy,
sustainable tourism and recreation to be tackled through integrated approaches
across disciplines and creating an interconnected community of researchers, trainees,
policy makers and stakeholders (i.e. civil society).
Notes: projects of reference: PERSEUS, COCONET, BALMAS.
Ref.: Document1
26
BLUE MED MAPPING – 26 Aug 2014. Draft V0.
OPERATIONAL OCEANOGRAPHY/OBSERVING SYSTEMS
OPERATIONAL
OCEANOGRAPHY/
OBSERVING
SYSTEMS
IDENTIFIED GAPS AND RELATED JUSTIFICATION
R&I NEEDS/OPPORTUNITIES AND RELATED JUSTIFICATION
Strategies &
Policy
[G] (to be based on the application of ecosystem planning, climate
change mitigation, reaction against natural disasters, or sustainable
use of resources). Specifically: multi-platform approach;
environmental measures focused on the sea´s perspective;
integrated policy across Med; integrated interdisciplinary approach of
the coastline management; economic and flexible systems for ocean
monitoring from fixed and mobile platforms; coordination and
improvement of operational observing systems; interoperability
among different regional/national information systems; regional
Earth system modelling: [J] to avoid fragmentation; to improve the
status of certain components of the marine ecosystem; to support
capacity building for GES through the MSFD; to build robust
forecasting tools; to monitor large coastal areas; although EU Med
states have set state of the art operational systems covering the
whole Med, numerical forecasting models rely purely on the satellite
data in the southern parts for CAL VAL and assimilation; to guarantee
through interoperability data flow from local to national to European
level; evidence of majors impacts of global change that such systems
can help analysis and forecast; to adequately force End to End marine
models.
[N/O] Development of innovative cost-effective coordinated
approaches; establishment of Med coordinated and integrated
effort for the definition of the needs; promote the use of common
methodologies; promote a (coastal) observatories network, marine
strategies, marine spatial planning; large intercomparison coupled
climate-ocean-End-to-End models experiment; definitions of
relevant scenarios; capacity building towards MSFD (also in the nonEU states); establishment of key operational platforms in significant
locations; standardisation of data and metadata model;
implementation of common vocabularies: [J] to achieve efficient
and sustained observations; to contribute to the development of
marine environment knowledge and to foster maritime economy; to
make profit of robustness of the intercomparison and multi-models
approaches (as for the global earth problem); to establish and
transfer a system based on a minimum cost maximum effect
principle.
Observations
(software)
[G] Observational (spatial) gaps to enhance the forecasting
capabilities, e.g. large areas with small or not at all observing capacity
(e.g. along the African coasts and the Eastern Med); or observing
system requirements not well identified: [J] sustainable exploration,
exploitation and protection of the Med Sea; development of schemes
for better coverage of basins where there are no ocean observations
in cooperation with different institutions in different countries and
sub-basins where gaps are present; to understand the role of
important gyres (especially in the southern parts); to integrate where
[N/O] Harmonizing the operational oceanography capacities and
observing systems coverage; develop and optimize Integrated
Mediterranean Observing Systems based on existing capacities; link
the ecosystem approach to new technologies for the observation of
biological components of the marine environment and mapping the
water column and sea bed: [J] better uniformity of available
operating ocean systems at local, national and trans-national levels;
indicators by Marine Strategy Framework Directive.
Ref.: Document1
27
BLUE MED MAPPING – 26 Aug 2014. Draft V0.
OPERATIONAL
OCEANOGRAPHY/
OBSERVING
SYSTEMS
IDENTIFIED GAPS AND RELATED JUSTIFICATION
R&I NEEDS/OPPORTUNITIES AND RELATED JUSTIFICATION
missing the information regarding the seasonal and inter-annual
variability of important processes, as well as real-time information
regarding the marine environmental conditions, in order to positively
affect the skill of the existing basin-scale forecasting products (e.g.
the Copernicus MCS Mediterranean hydrodynamic forecasting
service); to organise a coherent ecosystem approach.
Observations
(hardware)
Ref.: Document1
[G]Integrated global Med observing system for the essential ocean
variables and anyways multi-platform integrated observatories
(Lagrangian and Eulerian) for recording a variety of parameters in
different space and time scales; in-situ observing system to support
an adequate forecasting system (also considering that a large amount
of satellite data are not thoroughly validated with in situ
measurements); integrated long term ecological observation and
coastline observatory (coastal observing system of the Med), coupled
with interdisciplinary approach of the coastline management; large
scale monitoring, including deep sea and coastal areas (where
resolution shall be increased); observing system based on robots, and
images for fishery; electronic solution for logging, where a significant
portion of the required data is logged automatically, in virtual
communication with the vessel’s state: [J] strong N/S and W/E
differences and gaps; poor spatial integration with large areas
uncovered; poor discipline integration with very different objectives
and parameters observation; integration of activities; creation of a
robust forecasting tools; support the data assimilation procedures;
development of downstream services (such as search and rescue,
pollution hazard, oil spill); near real time in situ data to analyse the
status of the marine environment before run a forecast model;
adequate resolution of the physical processes to assess sediment
transport/coastal erosion, also in a climate change scenario; to
support Copernicus programme and a sustainable managing of the
marine areas, to complement the Marine Core service with coastal
28
[N/O] Observation of the different compartments of the marine
system (physical, biogeochemical, biological); network optimization
(e.g. development of Networked Time series Automated Technical
Common platforms; development of a network of coastline
observatories); sharing/pooling of resources to monitor parameters
needed for the MSFD; tools development (e.g. marine governance,
integrated forecasting); integrated and coordinated use of several
operational oceanography platforms (moorings, profilers, ferry
boxes, gliders, ships of opportunity); improvement of observing
system related to the coastal zone & open sea needs both on the
air-sea interface (coastal radar, stereoscopic systems, etc.) and at
the bottom (sediment traps, high resolution bathymetric surveys
etc.), e.g. by mean of X-band radar devices; development/use of
smart technologies (sensors and platforms) to collect biological data
and images in the water column and seabed, and to detect noise
and introduction of energy in operational way; development of
adaptive sampling strategies; increment of the collected data; link
to international initiatives (e.g. Global Ocean Sea Level ): [J]
networking is crucial for a consistent and global view relying on
manual observations and greatly improved with automation; good
relations with local stakeholders can favor the development of the
integration of the observing systems; to coordinate the investments;
to better resolving of the water column processes, production of
better forecasting products, provision of higher quality services; to
fill the existing gaps in observation of marine environment linked to
BLUE MED MAPPING – 26 Aug 2014. Draft V0.
OPERATIONAL
OCEANOGRAPHY/
OBSERVING
SYSTEMS
Focus on
biogeochemistry
IDENTIFIED GAPS AND RELATED JUSTIFICATION
R&I NEEDS/OPPORTUNITIES AND RELATED JUSTIFICATION
data.
Marine Strategy Framework Directive; to deal with emerging issues
and threats; to support the policy-makers; to implement better
oceanographic models and be an invaluable tool for model
validation; to provide Marine Core and downstream services.
[G] Consider the biogeochemical component of the ocean and use
multi-platforms generalized approaches for biogeochemical
observations: [J] efforts coordination (from in-situ observation
systems to remote sensing) at basin scale level to understand the
water column processes.
[N/O] Increase biogeochemical parameters measurements through
both Eulerian (moorings) and Lagrangian platforms (argo floats,
gliders); development and implementation of ad-hoc methods to
include the biogeochemical component; contribution to the new
GOOS SC initiative: [J] to provide a substantial help in the linking of
the different water column processes and give a clear picture of the
long-term effects of the climate change in the marine environment
as well as a solid background for the evaluation and further
development of the existing ecosystem numerical model.
Notes: framework condition: EMODNet should be a portal of portals + good MRI.
Ref.: Document1
29
BLUE MED MAPPING – 26 Aug 2014. Draft V0.
SOCIOECONOMIC & POLICY RESEARCH
SOCIOECONOMIC IDENTIFIED GAPS AND RELATED JUSTIFICATION
& POLICY
RESEARCH
General issues
A. [G] Large-scale integrating projects dedicated to international
cooperation partner countries (SICA) and multi-level decisionmaking processes: [J] to develop a network for unified strategy in
decision processes reaching all relevant stakeholders among SMEs
& BE.
B. [G] Focus areas: Observing system and models to evaluate public
acceptance of the running policies and to support future policy
orientation ; better communication strategies and tools about the
results achieved from WFD and MSFD measurements, in order to
involve public opinion in the efforts for achieving the GES; more
accurate socio-economic models taking into due consideration the
climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies and
interventions; dedicated ICT tools for sustainable tourism; local
governance on waste management and marine litter
production/avoidance; further elements/tools/models for
promotion and networking of small production/local sea-related
products: [J] organization of a coherent ecosystem approach with
more consideration of the socio-economy component; more
accurate models for integrating the mitigation/adapation to
climate changes at sub-basin and local levels, in order to support
local administration decision; avoidance of human impact on
natural/delicate coastal and marine areas; common strategy for all
phases of waste management (marine litter in particular)
(generation, prevention, characterization, monitoring, treatment,
handling, reuse and residual disposition); support to the Common
Fishery Policy in a proper evaluation of the social value of small
scale and traditional fishery, especially in small, isolated or
peripheral communities; help to local communities and loss
avoidance of cultural traditions.
R&I NEEDS/OPPORTUNITIES AND RELATED JUSTIFICATION
A. [N/O] Research in support of sustainability of policies at all
levels; new instruments to promote a better awareness of the
Regional administrations ( i.e. NUTS 2 level) and of mid-size
stakeholders on the potential of a sustainable exploitation of
the marine environment resources –Blue Growth (also for
bridging with structural funds managed by Regions);
opportunities of involving different stakeholders and to link
international initiatives: [J] A further support to the
downstream towards local administrations and general public
of Marine Spatial Planning and Marine Strategy Framework
Directives’ concepts, indications and rules is felt as necessary.
B. [N/O] Focus areas: implementation of the MSFD needs new
socioeconomic and policy research integrating climate change
component and a further downstream to the local level
administration; smart technologies for environmental and
human wellness related with knowledge based society ("your
wellness not because you’re lucky, but because you're wiser,
smarter") that can improve management issues and
overcoming fragmentation also in tourism exploitation;
reversing costal rural/small island abandonment ; innovative
technologies able to allow accessibility in delicate coastal and
marine areas while controlling/reducing the ecological footprint
of human presence: [J] better knowledge and improved
socioeconomic and policy sustainability models, also in the
perspective of changing climate; smart citizens; (support to) EU
Directives/Policies; downstream and ecosystem services (e.g.
water purification, flood protection, pollination).
NOTE: this section is felt to be further enlarged by specific contribution of scientists in social and economy disciplines.
Ref.: Document1
30
BLUE MED MAPPING – 26 Aug 2014. Draft V0.
TRAINING & TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER
TRAINING &
TECHNOLOGY
TRANSFER
IDENTIFIED GAPS AND RELATED JUSTIFICATION
A. [G] Integration of research activities over the Med, through
training schemes which include short-term secondment of staff
between research organizations, and mobility: [J] to widen the
knowledge and creating new research networks.
B. [G] New professional with an open-mind interdisciplinary
approach/holistic scientists capable of communicating among
the various fields, able also to sustain industries (especially
SMEs) in realising new high-tech products: [J] to increment
high-professional employees, and to give new chance of market
penetration to industries.
C. [G] Focus areas: international coordination of geophysical
networks; renewed knowledge on marine biodiversity: [J] to
improve data acquisition and sharing management for both
research and forecasting/warning systems; to train new marine
scientists with holistic visions based on ecosystem.
Notes: EPOS as framework condition
Ref.: Document1
31
R&I NEEDS/OPPORTUNITIES AND RELATED JUSTIFICATION
A. [N/O] Developing training and technology transfer schemes for
harmonized development of the Mediterranean BG community,
including technology transfer distribution from large players towards
“weaker” institutions though different schemes of use of new
equipment or similar: [J] to better integrate research organizations,
and achieve higher mobility and competences of researchers,
particularly early researchers.
B. [N/O] Link strictly the research and innovation, and the industrial
worlds: [J] to increment the GDP.
C. [N/O] Focus areas: better coordination and integration of seismologic,
geodesic, mareographic, tsunami observing networks; common
training for EU marine scientists with the institution of European
master and graduate courses: [J] European Research Infrastructure
(ESFRI) EPOS context; pursue the cohesion in the scientific
community.
BLUE MED MAPPING – 26 Aug 2014. Draft V0.
OTHER R&I AREAS
OTHER R&I
AREAS
IDENTIFIED GAPS AND RELATED JUSTIFICATION
A. [G] Sustainable exploitation of Med Sea ecosystems: [J] Med
Sea is threatened by human activities combined with effects
of climate change.
B. [G] more appropriate definition of indicators for some
descriptors of GES in the MED area: [J] implementation
process of the MSFD (long term, second round) and ECAP
(Barcelona Convention).
C. [G] Knowledge of the biogeochemical-physical interactions
between the ocean and atmosphere: [J] more comprehensive
understanding of ocean processes.
D. [G] Marine sink for anthropogenic carbon (ocean carbon cycle
observations and modelling): [J] to serve society with best
available information on the marine sink for anthropogenic
carbon.
E. [G] Offshore marine installations: safety, security, fire and
marine pollution, waste management and human factor: [J] to
complement H2020 and other EU programs.
F. [G] European Research Infrastructure: [J] to implement longterm time series with permanent observation points.
G. [G] Knowledge on biodiversity and the related ecosystem
services, e.g. highlighting the links between biodiversity,
marine pollution and biological invasions: [J] the Med sea is a
hot spot of biodiversity and despite a rich scientific history,
lack of knowledge on the issue is important, particularly in
relation with the invasive species question.
Ref.: Document1
32
R&I NEEDS/OPPORTUNITIES AND RELATED JUSTIFICATION
A. [N/O] Preserve and sustainable exploit Med Sea ecosystems: [J] Good
environmental status and capacity to provide food, goods and services
(touristic and leisure activities, maintain water quality) is in danger.
B. [N/O] Projects and coordination of activities: [J] to implement actions to
develop the scientific knowledge needed to define suitable indicators
and criteria for standards of GES.
C. [N/O] Quantification of the key biogeochemical-physical interactions
and feedbacks between the ocean and atmosphere under multiple
drivers and stressors: [J] to provide strategic solutions for the sustained
natural resource management of the oceans and lower atmosphere
through predictive capabilities, process knowledge, model-data fusion,
a critical appraisal of potential geo-engineering options, seamless
interaction with stakeholders as well as policy makers, and support of
an international project office (IPO).
D. [N/O] Quantification of the fluxes of greenhouse gases in the Earth
system as a function of space and time based on improved descriptions
of processes and feedbacks, exploiting and extending observational
networks, and combining observations with advanced Earth system
modelling (atmosphere, ocean, land, ice, anthroposphere/human
societies): [J] to provide a rigorous foundation/decision framework for
feasible solutions on greenhouse gas emission reductions guided by
best possible future projections integrating natural science
communities, socio-economic science communities, policy makers,
industry, and large future research programmes.
E. [N/O] Safer secures and clean offshore devices: [J] entail greater
productive efficiency and deal with climate change while ensuring
sustainability and resilience, possibly leading policy or legislation
proposals at European and/or international (IMO) level.
F. [N/O] Use the right latest technology available for the deep sea: [J] to
provide long-term time series with permanent observation points.
G. [N/O] Long term observations on a spatially coherent basis.
BLUE MED MAPPING – 26 Aug 2014. Draft V0.
OTHER R&I
AREAS
IDENTIFIED GAPS AND RELATED JUSTIFICATION
Groundwater [G] Knowledge about the input (volume, composition) of
groundwaters into the sea at all depths: [J] potential a large
source of water, nutrients and contaminants
R&I NEEDS/OPPORTUNITIES AND RELATED JUSTIFICATION
[N/O] Measuring the Submarine Groundwater inputs and the
biogeochemical composition: [J] to understand the nutrient and
contaminant cycling.
Social
inclusivity (as
part of the
bioeconomy)
[G] Social groups excluded or at risk of exclusion: [J] to create
environments under the universal design of accessibility for
people with reduced mobility, establishment of centers of
employment for people with disabilities within the aquaculture
sector, promotion of networks of exchange and cooperation as to
strengthen the presence of special centers in the market.
Coastal and
Maritime
Tourism
[G] Science based approaches to address the coastal and maritime
tourism planning, its environmental and societal impacts and
maritime cultural goods + innovative technology solutions with
respect to the design and the operations of leisure boats and
cruise vessels (e.g. in waste streams): [J] to overcome the poor
integration in coupled environmental/societal research for the
touristic industry; to achieve an adequate protection of the
environment, e.g. considering the increase of cruise tourism (in
numbers of passengers, cruise vessels and port calls), and the fact
that cruise ships are continuously getting larger in size and
capacity with plans for vessels up to a capacity of 10,000 people
onboard (= small floating town producing significant volumes of
pollutants and wastes with major threats to the marine, aerial and
littoral environment); very high density of leisure boats,
representing a relevant economic sector with many jobs, both in
boat manufacturing and in services related to tourism (further
development requires stricter safety and environmental
standards and consequently technology innovation).
[N/O] Tourism: inter-disciplinary research across the key knowledge areas,
i.e. environment & tourism opportunities, including cultural heritage
valorisation; technology innovation both in big cruise ships and in leisure
boats, as well as in related services; dedicated maritime application for use
of EGNOS/GALILEO navigation services: [J] big touristic operators to
implement a sustainable development strategy (framework condition:
existing ECLAT network ); navigation safety issues and environmental
protection strongly require fast innovation in control/alert systems and in
propulsion/navigation technologies, as well as in the related services. This
would support a “blue growth” also of the manufacture industry, presently
leaded by EU companies.
Underwater
[G] Autonomous devices and methodologies for the exploration,
[N/O] Smart, affordable autonomous robotic systems for exploring and
Ref.: Document1
33
[N/O] Tasks, occupational areas, in the field of aquaculture with the
objective of integration of people with disabilities within the sector
innovations: [J] to cope with a complex socio-economic problem through
an integrative perspective, by involving all stakeholders, applying criteria
of corporate social responsibility while addressing the welfare and social
development in a Europe of citizens with added value like technological
assistance, knowledge transfer, training.
BLUE MED MAPPING – 26 Aug 2014. Draft V0.
OTHER R&I
AREAS
IDENTIFIED GAPS AND RELATED JUSTIFICATION
robotics
observation and in-situ analysis of deep (up to 4000m) benthic
ecosystems + smart autonomous platforms (profilers, gliders, …):
[J] to ensure a systematic exploration and further study of benthic
ecosystems, in particular accurate collection of samples and smart
underwater systems, to improve marine archaeology at large
depths where exploration, and dexterous manipulation are
mandatory; to explore and monitor the whole water column up to
4000m for a wide range a marine services (Research, MSFD, Oil
and gas industry, Deep sea mining, …).
Cultural
heritage /
Submarine
Archaeology
R&I NEEDS/OPPORTUNITIES AND RELATED JUSTIFICATION
working close to the bottom at large depths (ecosystems, cultural goods, …);
development of: force-feedback arms and systems for large depths; smart,
affordable autonomous profilers and (hybrid) gliders suitable for the whole
range of depths; 'service oriented' payloads suitable for the different
sectors of activities; creation of an infrastructure to share specialized
research vessels and underwater robotic systems: [J] exploration,
monitoring, and sustained exploitation of water column and bottom
resources recognized as a large potential source of growth in the marine
economy, including the preservation of the maritime cultural goods as the
Med is known as the largest "underwater museum" in the world (framework
condition: the present Copernicus marine monitoring service offers a
perfect context for an efficient and affordable exploitation of such systems).
[G] Systematic, targeted surveys to map the submerged cultural
[N/O] Development of an international program to map, explore and
heritage (e.g. deep- and shallow ancient shipwrecks) and common protect this underwater heritage; multidisciplinary approach and
strategy to explore, protect and publicize the marine heritage: [J] collaboration between oceanographic and archaeological institutions;
to unveil the submerged remains of the prehistoric maritime
training of a new generation of scientists able to move across scientific
activity; and at the same time to preserve and promote the
boundaries: [J] preservation and exploitation, especially at large depth can
outstanding heritage of the Med (to be considered: the UNESCO
be achieved only with adequate shared research infrastructures. Coastal
Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage tourism can benefit of such an effort through dedicated museums. Creation
commits the Coastal state in its EEZ).
of a competitive European sector to compete with the present US one.
Degraded
areas
[G]Marine ecological restoration in shallow bottom waters: [J] to [N/O] Develop and test solutions in different areas/places: [J] validation and
develop, ecological engineering restoration of areas where human improvement of remediation activities.
activities have a real impact on the marine biodiversity (MFSD).
End to End
marine
ecosystem
[G]Concerted observation and modelling approach to understand
sustainability of marine ecosystem (from plankton to fish): [J]
Numerical models have not yet integrated this new potential
which requires new approaches adapted to spatio-temporal
sampling.
[N/O]Build databases equipped with new advanced functionalities (e.g.
multiple information cross analysis, analysis of weaknesses and strengths of
different simulations, event detection...): [J] to better analyse data, using
the opportunities offered by recent technological developments
(observations and super computers) and models predictability.
Marine
technology
[G] New tools to observe at high frequency: [J] to measure
parameters in coastal region where short term variation and
[N/O] Developing new tools/sensors for observing contaminants and carbon
at a high frequency in the coastal ocean: [J] to record contaminants and
Ref.: Document1
34
BLUE MED MAPPING – 26 Aug 2014. Draft V0.
OTHER R&I
AREAS
Data
(collection
and use)
IDENTIFIED GAPS AND RELATED JUSTIFICATION
R&I NEEDS/OPPORTUNITIES AND RELATED JUSTIFICATION
spikes of contamination are likely to happen near large cities,
harbors, rivers mouths.
carbon at the natural level.
[G] Autonomous platform for data collection, requiring
[N/O] Link to international initiative on observations (e.g. Global Ocean
collaboration with developers to include sensors in the platform + Observing System): [J] to support the monitoring needs in EU directives.
uniformity of data and lack of a previous database: [J] to support
Operational Oceanography and any operational observing system
(monitoring activities); to compare data consistently and well
organized.
Coastal
hazards
[G] Innovative defense systems: [J] to search of multipurpose,
integrated and smart solutions in coastal defense against erosion,
subsidence, sea level rise, etc.
International [G] International Strategy for Research and Innovation: [J] to
research
tackle a strategic approach to reduce fragmentation, science gaps
strategy3
3
[N/O] Testing/monitoring breakwater devices, for coastal defense
purposes, transforming wave motion in electricity: [J] to possibly transfer
the successfully tested devices to the productive/manufacturing sector.
[N/O] Development of common agendas (in many fields like ecology,
"coastline", marine management, …) through some dedicated scientific for
a: [J] to promote at the global Mediterranean level a "Blue Growth"
research agenda.
OK, if related to EU member states of MED area. The BLUE MED strategy is limited to these countries
Ref.: Document1
35