/// PROJECTS

MAC_DroneAI: Monitorização Inteligente de Lixo Marinho na Macaronésia com Drones e Inteligência Artificial

MAC-DroneAI will develop and expand a standardised remote sensing methodology for mapping marine litter across Macaronesia, including Cape Verde. Using drones, training local teams and a centralised image-processing service, it will generate accumulation maps to support authorities. The project aims to integrate the methodology into international guidelines and promote its adoption in environmental monitoring programmes across the region.

Marine litter pollution, exacerbated by climate change, impacts marine ecosystems and communities. The methodologies of the OCEANLIT project enable the detection and mapping of litter, complementing in situ methods and optimising the response. Given the increase in weather events that intensify litter accumulation, and considering litter as a vector for invasive species facilitated by climate change, timely monitoring is crucial.

MAC-DroneAI_2CAP aims to develop, optimise and expand a standardised remote sensing methodology/technological solution for mapping marine litter in Macaronesia, including Cape Verde. This involves knowledge sharing through training local teams to operate drones and collect imagery. A centralised service will be established for standardised image processing, generating accumulation maps for local authorities.

The methodology will be integrated into international guidelines, aiming to demonstrate effectiveness, promote scalability and encourage adoption in environmental monitoring programmes.