EMSAC

European Marine Science Applications Consortium

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'Water resource management is becoming an urgent challenge, for Europe and the world, as populations grow and requirements increase. Degradation of our coastal and estuarine waters is of particular concern to policy makers at regional, national, EU and international levels, and increasingly to the public at large. The EMSAC project will address this challenge by ensuring that Europe’s knowledge resource is effectively directed towards building the mix of solutions required. These include: advanced sensing and surveillance systems, improved operational management for resource extraction including renewable energy, better management of coastal ecosystems and protected areas, techniques to minimise impacts of flooding due to sea-level rise, and advances in resource-efficient desalination. EMSAC will help achieve this by working collaboratively with clusters of expertise in different regions of Europe, involving research institutions, businesses and public authorities. These new relationships will facilitate a shared action plan of priorities in RTD, innovation and their supporting infrastructure. Europe is fortunate to possess many world-class research bodies in the field of coastal and estuarine sciences, as well as a vibrant mix of companies operating in the coastal zone management, renewable energy & monitoring markets. However, this expertise is presently fragmented across disciplines, and investment in RTD lacks consistency between regional, national and EU levels. There is also inadequate coupling between the RTD base and this rapidly evolving market domain. By working with leading regional clusters of capability, and inviting other regions to engage during the project, EMSAC will stimulate an integrated investment portfolio of RTD priorities and innovation capacity. This will not only deliver improved resource management in coastal and estuarine waters, but will also position Europe’s businesses to exploit this commercial opportunities to the full.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

Protection of coasts and estuaries is of particular concern to local, national and international policymakers as populations and their demands on natural systems increase. An EU-funded initiative has focused on the problem to develop a series of sustainable solutions.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

The growing social and economic importance of Europe's coastal water resources presents a significant management challenge. Around 5 million EU citizens are employed in sea-related activities, with areas such as aquaculture, marine energy and safety experiencing rapid growth. However, opportunities for developing environment-friendly marine products and services have been created as a result of new regulations for protecting the fragile marine environment.

An EU-funded networking initiative, the 'European marine science applications consortium' (EMSAC) project, helped grow innovation capacity in four maritime regions in France, Sweden and the United Kingdom. A Joint Action Plan based on future market, technology and research priorities in the field of coastal water resource management was developed in order to stimulate investment and innovation. The plan brought together relevant businesses, scientific institutions and policymakers, and investigated opportunities for expanding the network by seeking out greater international cooperation beyond the EU.

hree main objectives were targeted by EMSAC. The first was a market-driven technology roadmap, which highlighted gaps in research and technological development (RTD). The second was to identify financing opportunities for RTD and match them with the most suitable research priorities to encourage the commercialisation of innovations. The final objective was to advise regional authorities about how best to implement innovation and RTD financing beyond that already available at the national and international levels.

Project partners concentrated on growth opportunities resulting from improved management of Europe's estuarine and coastal resources. These included water quality management for both public amenities, like beaches, and commercial use, such as fish farms. Managing risks due to spills, flooding and impacts from the construction of offshore wind farms and other man-made structures were also considered. The initiative also focused on the management of sensitive ecosystems, fisheries and sources for biofuel production.

EMSAC will help to conserve coastal water resources in the face of increasing pressure from multiple human activities, thereby allowing Europe's natural heritage to be used and enjoyed by future generations.