The Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA), located in Alges (Lisbon), hosted the sessions “Innovation for Sustainable Ocean: Observatories and Knowledge Networks”, organised by the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) in collaboration with the Directorate-General for the sea policy (DGPM) and the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) of the Government of Portugal.
The main objective of the event was the presentation of results included in the recent work “Rethinking Innovation for a Sustainable Ocean Economy Report”, published by the OECD with the contribution of PLOCAN. It highlights the growing importance of science and technology in order to improve the sustainable economic development of our seas and oceans. It is necessary to protect the marine ecosystems and improve the use of marine resources, because they are at the epicenter of many of the global challenges, such as nourishment, medicines, new renewable energy sources, climate regulation, creating jobs and inclusive growth, among others. Innovation in science and technology will play a key role in the achievement of these objectives.
The report identifies three priority areas for action: approaches that produce beneficial results for the ocean business and the oceanic environment in a wide range of marine and maritime uses; the creation of innovation networks in the ocean economy; and pioneering initiatives in order to improve the measurement of the ocean economy.
The event was inaugurated by the President of the FCT, Paulo Ferrão, the Head of the Science and Technology Policy Division of the OECD, Dominique Guellec, and the Minister of Sea, Ana Paula Vitorino. The agenda for the event included three thematic sessions: Rethinking Innovation for a Sustainable Ocean Economy; Knowledge Networks and Ocean Observatories: Fostering Research for Sustainable Seas and Ocean; and New Policies to Improve Knowledge and Monitoring of the Seas and Ocean to Preserve Their Health While Boosting Economic Growth. PLOCAN presented its main lines of work and current projects, as member of the panel of experts of session 2, together with Tore Furevik, Bjerknes Centre for Climate Research, Norway; Miguel Miranda, Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere; Jan-Stefan Fritz, German Marine Research Consortium -KDM-; Sóley Morthens, The Marine and Freshwater Research Institute, Iceland; Daniele Ludicone, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn and G7 Future of the Seas and Oceans Working Group, Italia; Joaquín Hernandez-Brito, Atlantic International Research Centre –AIR Centre-, Portugal. The event was closed by the Minister of Science, Technology and Higher Education of Portugal, Manuel Heitor.
