The Director of the Marine Research Centre (CIM) at the University of Vigo, Elsa Vázquez, and the President of the Port Authority of Vigo, Carlos Botana, held their first institutional meeting this week to strengthen the strategic collaboration between both entities in the field of the Blue Economy.
The meeting highlighted the role of the Submarine Observatory Atlántida of Peiraos do Solpor as an international reference laboratory, particularly within European projects like Europort.2035 and Neoria. These projects focus on marine research and innovation, biodiversity, and environmental monitoring.
In the Europort.2035 project, Vigo will serve as a pilot port for biodiversity and environmental monitoring initiatives. An environmental digital twin will be developed, integrating underwater cameras, hydrophones, and sensors, applying artificial intelligence for species identification and ecosystem simulation, with advanced cybersecurity standards.
For its part, the Port Authority will lead the deployment of nature-based solutions (NbS) and the validation of the Climate Change Adaptation Plan in the port environment within the Neoria project.
The CIM will contribute its scientific expertise in marine biodiversity and ecology to the Europort.2035 pilot project in Vigo, collaborating in the study of biodiversity associated with port structures and evaluating the effectiveness of nature-based infrastructures for marine ecosystem recovery.
Furthermore, new lines of work are emerging for the integrated management of the aquatic environment, including the implementation of NbS to mitigate spills, the precise quantification of underwater noise using bioindicators, and the study of the role of artificial reefs in ecological recovery.
This meeting coincides with the 30th anniversary of the first graduating class of the Faculty of Marine Sciences at the University of Vigo, of which both leaders are alumni.
