The Society for the Economic and Social Promotion and Development of La Palma (Sodepal) and the Oceanic Platform of the Canary Islands (PLOCAN) have signed a General Collaboration Protocol in Tazacorte to promote the blue economy, the transfer of scientific knowledge and environmental sustainability on the island. The agreement was signed by the Councillor for Economic Promotion and Chief Executive of Sodepal, Miriam Perestelo, and the Director of PLOCAN, Joaquín Hernández Brito. It sets out plans to drive pilot projects, training activities and support schemes for the business community linked to La Palma’s marine resources.
At the signing, Perestelo stressed that the blue economy represents a key area for diversifying La Palma’s economy, and underlined that the island’s environmental and scientific conditions can help attract investment and talent related to this sector.
For his part, Hernández Brito outlined PLOCAN’s capabilities as a Unique Scientific and Technical Infrastructure (ICTS) in ocean observation, marine technology testing and the development of technological solutions, as well as its connection to the leading international marine and maritime research and innovation networks.
This agreement is part of PLOCAN’s ongoing commitment to driving blue economy activity across all of the Canary Islands, bringing its scientific and technological capabilities closer to each island’s local resources and productive fabric to foster sustainable, knowledge-based marine development throughout the archipelago.
Planned lines of work
The two organisations will explore initiatives in ocean observation, robotics, digitalisation and artificial intelligence applied to the study of the sea. The protocol also envisages studying programmes for the training, incubation and acceleration of start-ups linked to the blue economy.
The collaboration also includes possible programmes for professional upskilling and specialisation in the maritime and technology sectors, environmental solutions for the coastline, resource optimisation measures and the promotion of marine renewable energy. Sodepal and PLOCAN also plan to organise events to bring ocean culture closer to the public and to explore citizen science and sustainable tourism initiatives.
A general framework for cooperation
The document establishes a general framework for cooperation and therefore does not yet specify projects, funding, timescales or resources. The initiatives that both organisations identify over the coming months will need to be developed through specific agreements setting out the contributions of each party.
