So, what exactly does Meike’s team study? Their focus is on the global cycling of important elements in the Earth system. Specifically, they models marine ecosystems—particularly plankton ecosystems—working to understand where different plankton species live, what they do, and how they contribute to the cycling of nutrients like nitrogen and carbon.

Why is this so important? Meike explains that plankton are the "plants of the ocean." They support half of Earth's primary production and produce a great part of the oxygen being breathed. However, unlike terrestrial ecosystems, plankton are microscopic and live in a vast, inaccessible environment. This makes studying them incredibly challenging, but also crucial for understanding the ocean’s role in regulating the planet’s climate.

Bringing Data Together: What AtlantECO Is Achieving

In AtlantECO, Meike’s team is working to create a comprehensive database of plankton diversity and abundance patterns by bringing together millions of observations from various sources—images, DNA sequencing, and direct observations with organisms caught in nets and seen under microscopes. This database aims to identify which plankton species thrive in different ocean environments and how they contribute to the global cycling of carbon and nutrients.

These findings not only deepen our understanding of plankton’s role but also offer insights into the broader ecological functions they support.

The Future of Plankton Research: What's Next for AtlantECO?

As AtlantECO enters its final months, Meike’s team is focused on integrating the vast data they've collected with new observations, particularly those from cutting-edge genetic techniques that can identify plankton species based on their DNA. This integration will help ensure that new data aligns with existing knowledge, creating a more complete picture of the ocean’s ecosystems.

The team also plans to continue analysing the large dataset they've already compiled to uncover more about the ecology, physiology, and functions of plankton. Meike is excited about the potential for new discoveries and looks forward to collaborating on projects that will help reveal the hidden details of these vital systems.

Making the Research Accessible: From Policy to Public Outreach

The ultimate goal of this research is to make it accessible to a wide range of stakeholders. Meike’s team is working to package their findings in a way that is useful to policymakers, ecosystem managers, and conservationists for example. By identifying hotspots of plankton diversity and ecosystem function, their work can inform conservation efforts and help guide policies that protect the health of the ocean.

The Responsibility of Scientists in the Face of Climate Change

As the conversation draws to a close, Meike reflects on the responsibility scientists have in the context of climate change. While she feels passionate about the ocean and its role in regulating the climate, she emphasizes the importance of remaining objective.

More on AtlantECO: www.atlanteco.eu 

The AtlantECO project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 862923. This output reflects only the author’s view and the European Union cannot be held responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein.

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In this episode, we meet Marcello Vichi, a biogeochemist working on understanding the ocean’s role in climate regulation. Marcello explains the science behind biogeochemical processes in the ocean and why such complex systems can be difficult to model and predict. In a world where the ocean is a crucial part of our climate system, these insights are more important than ever.

Decoding the Complexity of Biogeochemistry

At the heart of Marcello’s research is biogeochemistry, which investigates how chemical elements such as nutrients are cycled through the ocean’s vast ecosystem, driven by a microscopic world of organisms. While it may seem simple on the surface, the ocean’s biogeochemistry is a highly complex system with many interdependencies—processes that are often influenced by unseen factors, like the turbulence of water movement.

The difficulty in biogeochemical modelling lies in the inability to track every single microscopic interaction. Instead, scientists rely on mathematical models that approximate how these systems work on a larger scale.

Applying Science to Predict Change in the Southern Benguela Current

Marcello works in the Southern Benguela current, a vital upwelling system that sustains one of the most productive fisheries in the world. Here, the ocean brings nutrients to the surface, feeding an ecosystem that humans rely on heavily for food and income. However, this system is complex, with unpredictable fluctuations—sometimes leading to harmful algal blooms or low-oxygen conditions that can devastate the marine food web.

With climate change and human activity intensifying the challenges to ocean systems like the Benguela, understanding these dynamics has become increasingly important. Through models and experimentation, Marcello’s team is working to better predict when these disturbances will occur and how they’ll affect the ecosystem. Their goal is to improve the ability to forecast these disruptions, allowing fisheries to adapt and minimize the impact.

The Role of Satellites and Models in Ocean Science

Marcello also highlights how the increasing availability of satellite data has revolutionized ocean science. Satellites provide high-frequency, continuous data that help scientists monitor large-scale oceanic changes. However, satellites have limitations—particularly when it comes to observing conditions near the coastline or capturing fine-scale details. This is where biogeochemical models come in. These models bridge the gap by incorporating satellite data and other measurements to make predictions about ocean behaviour in areas that satellites can’t reach. While the models are not without uncertainty, Marcello emphasizes how they can still provide crucial information about how the ocean is absorbing and cycling carbon—a topic of critical importance in the fight against climate change.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Biogeochemical Modelling

Looking forward, Marcello is hopeful about the future of biogeochemical modelling. The ultimate goal is to improve our ability to predict how ocean systems will respond to climate change, which will help us manage the ocean more effectively.

More on AtlantECO: www.atlanteco.eu 

The AtlantECO project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 862923. This output reflects only the author’s view and the European Union cannot be held responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein.

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Network analysis is a method of studying systems made up of interacting elements. These interactions can occur between species in an ecosystem, animals in a group, or even individuals in a society. By analysing the structure of these interactions, we can uncover valuable insights that would be missed by focusing on individual elements in isolation.

Ferenc explains that in the context of the AtlantECO project, network analysis plays a critical role in studying the microbiome—the trillions of microorganisms that live in marine environments. These microbes, though invisible to the naked eye, form incredibly complex networks, interacting with each other in ways that are not yet fully understood. By mapping these relationships, scientists aim to uncover how different microbes work together or avoid each other, helping to unlock the ecological processes that govern the ocean.

Studying the microbial networks in the ocean presents unique challenges. Unlike the traditional food webs of animals, where we can directly observe predator-prey relationships, microbial networks are harder to interpret. Microbes can coexist or avoid each other without any clear sign of direct interaction. The data collected in the AtlantECO project shows how these microorganisms occur together in certain patterns, but the meaning behind these patterns—whether it indicates cooperation or competition for example—remains unclear.

Ferenc describes the process of creating smaller, more manageable networks from large, complex microbial datasets. Aggregating these networks to identify "key" microbes—those that play a crucial role in maintaining the stability of the community—can provide valuable insights into the overall health of marine ecosystems. This is a topic of ongoing research in AtlantECO, and the results will likely shed light on new ways to monitor and manage ocean health.

One of the key goals of network analysis in the AtlantECO project is to develop indicators that can help communicate the health of marine ecosystems to decision-makers and stakeholders. Just as GDP is a simple indicator of a country's economic health, network-based indicators could signal the well-being of marine environments. These indicators would provide a clear, easily understandable metric that could inform policy decisions and guide the sustainable management of ocean resources.

Ferenc also shared his passion for science communication, particularly with younger audiences. As a scientist, he believes it is crucial to make complex research accessible and relatable to the next generation. His goal is not just to contribute to scientific understanding but also to inspire young people to engage with environmental issues and become advocates for the planet's future.

More on AtlantECO: www.atlanteco.eu 

The AtlantECO project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 862923. This output reflects only the author’s view and the European Union cannot be held responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein.

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In this episode of the AtlantECO podcast, we got the chance to sit down with Bruno Buongiorno  Nardelli, a researcher based in Italy, who has spent over two decades studying the impact of ocean dynamics on climate and marine ecosystems. Join us as we unravel the complexities of his work, understand its significance, and explore what the future holds.

Bruno's research focuses on understanding how various oceanic variables contribute to climate change and the behavior of marine ecosystems. Initially, his scientific education centered around geophysical fluid dynamics and remote sensing. Combining these areas, he has developed techniques utilising statistical analysis, physical models, and artificial intelligence to interpret observations and improve our knowledge of the earth’s systems.

One core aspect of his research involves collecting and analyzing data from both remote sensing technologies and in situ observations. This approach allows scientists to develop more accurate predictive models and forecasts by understanding underlying processes more thoroughly. He stresses the importance of continuous observation to grasp these complex dynamics, as surface-level data alone cannot provide the full picture.

Within the AtlantECO project, Bruno's efforts are directed towards analysing data to understand phytoplankton abundance through ocean color satellite data and separating natural oceanic oscillations from those induced by anthropogenic activities. Such work is vital not just for determining the ocean’s current state but also for predicting future impacts on marine ecosystems and validating climatic models.

Bruno mentions that his work extends to shaping future satellite missions for the European Space Agency. These missions aim to improve our observational capabilities, especially concerning the air-sea interface dynamics. Another significant aspect is understanding how mesoscale turbulence helps transport carbon vertically within the ocean—a critical component of the global carbon cycle.

Bruno acknowledges that scientific investigation is a never-ending journey. The continuous cycle of discovery and inquiry is central to advancing our understanding of ocean dynamics and their broader implications. Once AtlantECO ends, the data and insights generated will serve as a foundation for future research and projects.

The ultimate goal is to provide robust data and sophisticated tools that will enable policymakers to make informed decisions regarding oceanic and environmental stewardship. Thus, Bruno and his colleagues' work is deeply intertwined with the broader mission of sustaining and protecting ocean health in this era of rapid climate change.

More on AtlantECO: www.atlanteco.eu 

The AtlantECO project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 862923. This output reflects only the author’s view and the European Union cannot be held responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein.

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First, we ask… what is bioprospecting? Bioprospecting involves exploring various natural sources like plants, animals, and microorganisms for commercially valuable substances such as medicinal drugs, biochemicals, and other materials. In the context of the project, the focus is on microorganisms, including bacteria and fungi, discovered in environments rich in biodiversity. These microorganisms can potentially yield new antibiotics, anti-cancer compounds, and industrial enzymes, contributing to significant advancements in medicine and industry.

We then transition into the methodologies of bioprospecting. Our guests explain that there are two primary approaches: functional screening and genome/metagenome sequencing. Functional screening involves searching for specific activities in nature, such as antibiotics. On the other hand, genome sequencing entails identifying genes and predicting their functions using bioinformatics tools.

Within the AtlantECO project, SINTEF is in charge of molecular bioprospecting, focusing on discovering new enzymes relevant to stakeholders. This involves data mining from various sources, functional screening, and creating a database of genetic markers for biological sensors. The aim is to provide valuable enzyme candidates for diagnostics, molecular research, and other applications, contributing to the blue economy.

More on AtlantECO: www.atlanteco.eu 

The AtlantECO project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 862923. This output reflects only the author’s view and the European Union cannot be held responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein.

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In this episode of the AtlantECO podcast, we explore the journeys and research of early-stage researchers involved in the AtlantECO project. Today, we meet Darshika Manral, a PhD candidate in physical oceanography at Utrecht University in the Netherlands.

Darshika’s connection with the ocean came later in her career. She began in Information Technology with a Bachelor’s degree and worked as a software engineer. However, a sabbatical brought her to marine mammal research in the Lakshadweep Islands, igniting her passion for the ocean. This pivotal experience led her to pursue an Erasmus Mundus master's in marine science, blending her programming skills with ocean studies.

Darshika investigates how ocean currents transport substances like plankton, plastics, nutrients, and heat using Lagrangian modelling. This method tracks the movement of virtual particles, providing insights into marine connectivity and helping predict future ocean changes. Her research plays a key role in AtlantECO’s mission to understand plankton distribution and marine ecosystems better.

Within AtlantECO, Darshika's work on seascape and connectivity focuses on plankton networks and environmental constraints. Combining her model outputs with real-world observations, she collaborates with biologists to offer a comprehensive view of oceanic processes, supporting better marine conservation strategies.

In her final PhD year, Darshika aims to refine her models further and strengthen collaborations. She is open to continuing in academia or any ocean research-related field, with a keen interest in science communication. Her advice for budding marine scientists? Embrace interdisciplinary research, seek community support, and remain observant of the natural world.

Darshika’s message is clear: anyone can develop a connection with the ocean by staying curious and observant. Her inspiring journey underscores the importance of passion and openness to new challenges. We thank Darshika for sharing her insights and wish her success in her future endeavors.

More on AtlantECO: www.atlanteco.eu 

The AtlantECO project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 862923. This output reflects only the author’s view and the European Union cannot be held responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein.

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Leila brings a wealth of experience in marine biology and a deep commitment to ocean conservation and public engagement. Her journey from marine ecologist to science communicator offers unique insights into bridging the gap between scientific knowledge and community awareness.

In our conversation, Leila shares her passion for nature, particularly the ocean, and her dedication to fostering ocean awareness through initiatives like See the Bigger Picture and her role at MARIS. She highlights the importance of connecting diverse communities with marine science and conservation efforts.

We delve into the concept of ocean cultures, a term evolving from ocean literacy to encompass a broader understanding of the ocean's influence on society and vice versa. Leila explains how this shift in terminology reflects the rich tapestry of beliefs, traditions, and interactions that shape people's relationship with the ocean, especially in South Africa.

Despite South Africa's coastal abundance, Leila notes the disparities in ocean access and perception among different populations. While some communities rely on the ocean for their livelihoods and spiritual practices, others face barriers like limited swimming skills or geographic distance from the coast.

Turning to AtlantECO's contributions, Leila discusses ongoing efforts to enhance ocean literacy and engagement in South Africa. From developing educational resources to assessing marine science curricula, AtlantECO aims to bridge the gap between scientific knowledge and local needs.

Leila emphasizes the importance of collaboration and cultural sensitivity in promoting ocean stewardship. By fostering dialogue between scientists, educators, and communities, AtlantECO seeks to empower individuals to become advocates for marine conservation.

With continued effort and collaboration, we can nurture a deeper connection to the ocean and ensure its protection for generations to come.

Stay tuned for more updates on AtlantECO's initiatives and how you can get involved in shaping our ocean future.

More on AtlantECO: www.atlanteco.eu 

The AtlantECO project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 862923. This output reflects only the author’s view and the European Union cannot be held responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein.

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The discussion highlights the need to enhance biological observation in marine sciences, which often focus on physics and chemistry. Nicolas stresses the importance of integrating biology into observation efforts, aiming to create a robust base for biological data collection. He emphasises the necessity of open data practices and stakeholder engagement to ensure the data collected are relevant and utilised effectively.

The Marco Bolo project addresses these challenges through three main components:

• Data Interoperability: Implementing high standards for data interoperability, making data open and accessible.
• Data Collection and Application: Developing robust protocols for data collection, applying collected data to inform environmental indicators and essential ocean variables.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Engaging stakeholders through surveys, community of practice meetings, and collaboration with other projects to ensure alignment with user needs.

Nicolas highlights the importance of collaboration and coordination with other projects, acknowledging the complexity of marine observation and the diverse needs of stakeholders. The project aims to bridge the gap between research and decision-making, striving to create a global impact in marine science.

Looking ahead, the project anticipates further stakeholder engagement, including community of practice meetings and stakeholder events. They also plan to address challenges such as adapting data to different indicators and expanding their team through recruitment efforts.

Overall, the Marco Bolo project represents a concerted effort to advance marine science and foster collaboration within the research community, with the ultimate goal of improving our understanding and management of the oceans.

Find out more on MARCO BOLO: https://marcobolo-project.eu/ 

More on AtlantECO: www.atlanteco.eu 

The AtlantECO project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 862923. This output reflects only the author’s view and the European Union cannot be held responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein.

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Natasha, a marine biologist and lecturer at the University of Cape Town (UCT), shares her journey toward studying and researching marine biology. With a childhood curiosity sparked by high school biology classes and a love for swimming, Natasha's passion for the ocean led her to specialise in benthic ecology and pursue a PhD at the Nelson Mandela University.

In our case study, we focus on two countries, Namibia and South Africa, both of which have keen interests in diamond and phosphate mining, as well as petroleum extraction. However, these countries have different policy frameworks, data limitations, and understandings of their marine systems. Natasha highlights the specific challenges and needs within each country and the importance of addressing them to develop effective environmental regulations.

Supporting Policy Making through AtlantECO: to address these challenges, AtlantECO implements various strategies. In Namibia, they collaborate with the Namibian Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources and Debmarine Namibia to provide baseline benthic information for informed policy decisions. In South Africa, they work with the Department of Mineral Resources to develop guidelines for environmental management of ocean mining.

Through research and collaborative efforts, Natasha and her team have identified several challenges that hinder effective environmental impact assessments (EIAs) and marine spatial planning (MSP) processes. These challenges include the lack of consideration for cumulative and indirect impacts, insufficient inclusion of social and economic aspects, and limited access to information; these aspects were all included in the recommendations made recently. As we progress, we aim to further support the different stakeholders in their endeavour to develop EIA processes, streamline reporting standards across sectors, and enhance the integration of social and economic considerations.

More on AtlantECO: www.atlanteco.eu 

The AtlantECO project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 862923. This output reflects only the author’s view and the European Union cannot be held responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein.

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Thomas Frölicher, originally from landlocked Switzerland, shares his unique journey into oceanography. Growing up with a curious mind inspired by his father's interest in physics, Thomas eventually found his passion for environmental science. His focus on atmospheric physics led him to explore oceanography during his PhD, where he investigated the variations in oceanic oxygen concentration and its connection to human-caused global warming.

We then discuss marine heatwaves, defined as periods of persistently warm ocean temperatures. Thomas explains that these events are becoming more prevalent globally, affecting ecosystems, weather patterns, and land conditions. The North Atlantic, in particular, is experiencing mega heatwaves, with temperatures significantly higher than ever recorded. Thomas discusses potential causes of marine heatwaves, such as enhanced air-sea heat uptake, changing ocean currents, and various other factors. The global ocean currently faces record-high temperatures, with about 30% experiencing a marine heatwave. The North Atlantic stands out with temperatures 0.5 degrees higher than previous records, raising concerns among scientists.

To understand these heat waves, scientists rely on high-temporal-resolution datasets from satellites, ARGO floats, buoys, and ocean models. Thomas emphasises the importance of collaboration among researchers with diverse expertise to comprehensively analyse the multitude of factors contributing to the current temperature anomalies. 

We then touch upon the consequences of mega heat waves on marine life and ecosystems, and Thomas highlights the sensitivity of ecosystems to high temperatures, leading to damages worth billions of dollars in industries such as fisheries and tourism. In AtlantECO project, Thomas and his team aim to assess the impact of a combination of multiple extreme events in the Atlantic, providing valuable data for managing ocean resources and mitigating risks.

More on AtlantECO: www.atlanteco.eu 

The AtlantECO project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 862923. This output reflects only the author’s view and the European Union cannot be held responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein.

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Microbial Marvels in the Ocean: Mayi's research focuses on marine microbial communities, specifically bacteria and single-cell algae. He delves into the intricate world of microbial ecology, emphasising the importance of understanding microorganisms' role in processes like carbon sequestration and nitrogen cycling. His work, centred around Dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP), seeks to uncover microbial physiological responses to environmental fluctuations. Mayibongwe explains the significance of studying microorganisms in the ocean, highlighting how these tiny organisms, with their enormous impact, play a crucial role in maintaining Earth's balance by cycling essential gases and nutrients.

Sailing the Atlantic Meridional Transect (AMT): Mayibongwe shares his experience aboard the RRS Discovery during the latest AMT. The AMT, an annual multidisciplinary program, conducts biological, chemical, and physical oceanographic research between the UK and the South Atlantic. Mayibongwe's role involved collecting seawater samples for his Ph.D., contributing valuable data to the AtlantECO project. Mayibongwe reflects on the unique experience of being the only representative from his region, the joy of encountering penguins in Falklands Island, and the unexpected birthday celebration during the crossing of the line. He expresses gratitude to his supervisor, Prof. Makhalanyane, and the AtlantECO programme for exposing him to these extraordinary opportunities.

Future Aspirations: Looking ahead, Mayi acknowledges current collaborators like Prof. Jonathan Todd and his research group at the University of Norwich, emphasising the importance of collaboration in DMSP research. His immediate goals include completing his Ph.D., publishing papers, and continued engagement with the AtlantECO program. Ultimately, Mayibongwe aspires to establish his own research group and collaborate with scientists globally.

Stay tuned for the next episode and more engaging conversations with scientists shaping the future of marine research. 

More on AtlantECO: www.atlanteco.eu 

The AtlantECO project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 862923. This output reflects only the author’s view and the European Union cannot be held responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein.

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Fabio's work contributes to a better understanding of the biodiversity and ecological dynamics of plankton in the ocean. His research helps uncover valuable information about the distribution and characteristics of these vital organisms, ultimately aiding in the conservation and protection of marine ecosystems.

Within AtlantECO, Fabio’s main role is to aggregate and curate plankton observation data from various sources. This data includes information on different plankton species, their diversity, and productivity. By bringing together diverse datasets, the aim is to create a comprehensive understanding of plankton biodiversity in the Atlantic Ocean. The aggregated data is then made available to the scientific community for further research and analysis. In collaboration with colleagues in the project, Fabio also develops statistical pipelines and mapping packages to extract valuable information from the aggregated data. By generating maps of plankton biodiversity and productivity, scientists can identify global patterns and study interactions between different plankton species. These maps serve as a foundation for developing indicators to monitor and predict the response of plankton to future changes in climate variables. With ongoing climate change and rising anthropogenic CO2 emissions, understanding how plankton biodiversity and production will respond to these changes is crucial.

In addition to his data aggregation and mapping activities, Fabio also supervises early-stage researchers, explaining his passion for mentoring future ocean scientists and his desire to find a permanent position in academia or a related field where he can continue to support and inspire young researchers. Fabio also offers advice to those starting their careers in marine sciences, so make sure to listen to the full episode to benefit from his wisdom!

Get in touch with Fabio: fabio.benedetti@usys.ethz.ch

More on AtlantECO: www.atlanteco.eu 

Logo by Louise Merquiol

Music by No Pilot

The AtlantECO project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 862923. This output reflects only the author’s view and the European Union cannot be held responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein.

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The high-speed net allows plankton collection during normal cruising speeds of up to eight knots, unlike traditional nets that require the boat to be stationary or moving very slowly. The Lamprey DNA kit filters seawater through a membrane, capturing plankton, which is then dried on the membrane and sent to laboratories for genomic analysis. The PlanktoScope, a semi-automated microscope with a 3D system, enables quantitative imaging of plankton, capturing their morphology. This instrument provides not only information about species presence but also visual insights into their size, colour, and other characteristics.

The instruments have undergone testing on board Tara, demonstrating their effectiveness comparable to standard instruments used by scientists. Feedback from experts within the AtlantECO network has further refined the prototypes. The next phase involves deploying these instruments on sailing boats, for which a set of protocols and manuals are prepared. Dozens of "planktonauts" will be trained to use the instruments, collecting data and providing feedback on usability. The main sampling route will be the North Atlantic route, commonly used by sailing boats. Additionally, there will be routes in the southeast of the Atlantic, specifically from Cape Town to Europe and vice versa. 

While oceanographic vessels associated with AtlantECO conduct their research, the Sail4Science initiative will implement simplified versions of the AtlantECO protocols. Comparing the results from these lighter deployments with those obtained from standard oceanographic vessels will yield valuable insights. The enthusiasm from sailors and citizens to understand and appreciate the ocean they sail on is evident. People who sail generally have a deep connection with nature and actively seek initiatives that help them explore and comprehend the ocean better. The instruments used in the project enable sailors to observe the hidden aspects of marine life that would otherwise remain unseen, revealing the richness of life beneath the ocean's surface, a world that only becomes visible through the lens of microscopes and reveals the astonishing beauty and diversity of marine ecosystems.

More on AtlantECO: www.atlanteco.eu 

Logo by Louise Merquiol

Music by No Pilot

The AtlantECO project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 862923. This output reflects only the author’s view and the European Union cannot be held responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein.

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The Ocean Health Index is an effective tool to evaluate the marine environment, the OHI is an assessment framework that evaluates the ocean's health based on sustainable provisioning of benefits and services such as food provision, carbon storage, water cleanliness, and biodiversity. The progress toward each goal is assessed against the optimal and sustainable level that can be achieved, with different reference points considered for each goal. The index has been calculated every year since 2012, using nearly 80 different global data sets spanning ecological, social, economic, and governance measures.

AtlantECO is working on the implementation of the Ocean Health Index, aiming to add new details of data at higher resolution, both spatially and temporally, and new kinds of data, such as those linked to plastic pollution or genetic information that has the potential to enlighten ecosystem functions yet to be discovered. New indicators are being developed to produce improved estimates of ecosystem status and trends of some services that the Atlantic Ocean provides. The focus is on assessing the status of ecosystem structure, function, health, and services at the whole Atlantic scale as well as some regional case studies, incorporating high data resolution. The assessment aims to predict the capacity of ecosystems to provide services sustainably in the future, considering future projections of climate change and socioeconomic pathways.

The results of the analysis using the Ocean Health Index are needed to provide scientific advice on the status and trends of different policy scenarios, guide management decisions, and raise awareness of the threats facing the ocean. The communicative power of the Ocean Health Index must be used to increase awareness among stakeholders and promote the sustainable use of marine ecosystems.

More on AtlantECO: www.atlanteco.eu 

Logo by Louise Merquiol

Music by No Pilot

The AtlantECO project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 862923. This output reflects only the author’s view and the European Union cannot be held responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein.

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The NAUTILOS project:

Nautilos website: Nautilos 

Nautilos social media handles:

LinkedIn: Nautilos | LinkedIn

Twitter: NAUTILOS (@NAUTILOS_H2020) / Twitter

YouTube: NAUTILOS H2020 Project - YouTube 

More about AtlantECO www.atlanteco.eu 

The AtlantECO project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 862923. This output reflects only the author’s view and the European Union cannot be held responsible for any use that may be  made of the information contained therein.

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Romain also discussed the foundation's mission, which is unique in its approach, as it encompasses scientific research, education, political advocacy, and sailing. He highlighted the foundation's work and the importance of ocean exploration and biodiversity research. The foundation has enabled the collection of over 100,000 ocean samples across 12 expeditions. With the help of scientists, politicians, and the public, the foundation continues to raise awareness of the ocean's importance and the need to protect it. And now, Tara, the schooner, has just left on its new mission called Tara Europa, part of the TREC expedition. In this two-year-long expedition, which will begin in Estonia and sail along the European coastlines to Athens in Greece, the team will study various forms of pollution, which is largely invisible, and its link with the microbiome. The foundation is also working on the Tara Polar Station project, which aims to document the changes in the Arctic Ocean due to climate change and melting ice. The Arctic Ocean is a unique and extreme environment threatened by global warming and pollution. To improve our understanding of its biodiversity and the impact of climate change, the Tara Polar Station will embark scientists from various fields until 2045. This multidisciplinary scientific approach aims to reveal unique adaptations of organisms, analyse the consequences of melting sea ice and pollution, and discover new molecules, species, and processes. The aim is to better understand the Arctic, so that we can protect the health of the planet.

The AtlantECO project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 862923. This output reflects only the author’s view and the European Union cannot be held responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein.

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The goal of that study was to trace the origin of plastic pollution in the ocean, and to understand the flow of plastic from the land to the sea. The Casamance River was an ideal environment for this study as it is a mangrove environment, a hotspot of biodiversity, and has different types of human activities that can impact the environment. The team used a manta net and different types of filters to increase the quantity of DNA, enabling them to identify the microorganisms living in the surrounding environment and the plastisphere, the life that develops on plastics. The study will help increase knowledge of the exact number and different types of plastic pollution found in the river, and how they can be affected by UV radiation and hydrometry. The ultimate goal is to understand the mutual impact of plastic on biodiversity and marine ecosystems, and to share this knowledge with local people so they understand the impact of plastic not only in the river but also in the sea.

During the study, the team encountered unexpected challenges with sampling methods. Due to the river's size, at first, they were able to enter directly on Tara but had to resort to renting a car and transporting equipment themselves to sample further up the river. They were able to obtain help from locals, and their interactions were mutually beneficial as the researchers and the community exchanged about microplastics in the environment. The researchers found a significant amount of plastic waste near a small population on the riverbank, which highlights the impact of single-use plastic on the environment. The locals understood the problem and were keen to find solutions, but it was not easy in their part of the world. Overall, the experience was rewarding and educational for both the researchers and the locals.

The leg was dedicated to Tracy Edwards, a woman who has played a significant role in supporting women in the sailing world. Edwards created the first all-women crew 30 years ago, and her story was turned into a movie.

Leïla shares her positive experience on board Tara and she emphasises on the importance of working together as a team to achieve the common goal, in what can be challenging conditions. As we had heard in previous stories of the Mission Microbiomes, this message of teamwork and shared passion is common among those who have been on board Tara.

More on AtlantECO: www.atlanteco.eu 

Logo by Louise Merquiol

Music by No Pilot

The AtlantECO project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 862923. This output reflects only the author’s view and the European Union cannot be held responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein.

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There, the focus of the topic study was on plastic pollution in the river and its effects on microorganisms. This will help us understand how different plastic pollution in African rivers is in comparison to European ones. The leg was made to find out the amount of plastic pollution in different environments along the Gambia River. The team also sampled the water to compare microbial life on plastic to the microbiome living in the surrounding water. They are interested in understanding the interaction between the microorganisms and the pathogens that could be transported through microplastics from the river to the sea. While the analysis and work downstream will take place over the coming months, the team already observed that the type of plastic pollution there was different from that found in Europe. 

This scientific study was dedicated to a woman involved with the sailing world and ocean protection, and Jeff talks about Isabelle Autissier, the first woman to have completed a solo circumnavigation of the globe. She is a French navigator, writer, and an environmental activist dedicated to environmental causes. She has also carried out research on Crustacean and fishes in fisheries on behalf of IFREMER in France. She is inspirational and is committed to bringing about change for the environment.

Jeff shares that his best memory of his time onboard is the human experience. The Tara crew takes care of everyone, making the atmosphere onboard comfortable and welcoming. Artists are also present onboard, which opens up new ideas and ways of seeing their work. Jeff praised the professionalism of the crew and the organisers, who created what he  described as almost magical conditions.

Overall, the expedition was a great success and the team discovered new information on plastic pollution and its effects on microorganisms. It adds another piece to the puzzle of understanding how human activity impacts the oceans and the environment. 

More on AtlantECO: www.atlanteco.eu 

Logo by Louise Merquiol

Music by No Pilot

The AtlantECO project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 862923. This output reflects only the author’s view and the European Union cannot be held responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein.

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So what does the treaty mean for people conducting research in the high seas? Hugo was there to tell us about this. He mentioned that at the moment, there are no laws for the high seas. Now, in the treaty, resources from the high seas are considered resources for humanity so the regulations on how to manage genetic resources will change. Because of its abundant biodiversity and history of biospiracy, Brazil was well placed to provide advice, guidance and recommendation when it came to managing the genetic resources. This is where Hugo played his part, talking with the ministry of Foreign Affairs in Brazil to provide his scientific expertise on marine genetic resources. 

When agreements were reached late into the night of the 4th of March 2023, it felt like a great victory after years of work! The high seas treaty was accepted, and with it, measures to protect the ocean and its resources. It has to be noted that the text will need ratification by 60 nations before it becomes binding so let’s hope this happens sooner rather than later.

The AtlantECO project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 862923. This output reflects only the author’s view and the European Union cannot be held responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein.

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In this show you will hear from Sieglinde Gruber, senior advisor to the European Commission as she provides an overview of the situation and policies surrounding the issue of women in marine sciences and the blue growth sector, as well as the initiatives and projects that exist to address these challenges.

Find out more about AtlantECO on 

Our website: www.atlanteco.eu 

Twitter: @EU_AtlantECO

Instagram: @eu.atlanteco

Facebook: @Atlanteco-EU-107893811437643

YouTube: UCg1fWuQLlpSnnV8aVocHphQ

Logo by Louise Merquiol

Music by No Pilot

The AtlantECO project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 862923. This output reflects only the author’s view and the European Union cannot be held responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein.

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In this show you will hear from Alienor Bourdais, operations officer at the Tara Ocean Foundation in France and Ana Noronha, Executive Director of Ciência Viva, the Portuguese agency for scientific culture.

Find out more about AtlantECO on 

Our website: www.atlanteco.eu 

Twitter: @EU_AtlantECO

Instagram: @eu.atlanteco

Facebook: @Atlanteco-EU-107893811437643

YouTube: UCg1fWuQLlpSnnV8aVocHphQ

Logo by Louise Merquiol

Music by No Pilot

The AtlantECO project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 862923. This output reflects only the author’s view and the European Union cannot be held responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein.

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In this show you will hear from Meike Vogt, Senior researcher at the ETH Zurich in Switzerland, Lisa Picatto, IMBRSea student at the University of Ghent in Belgium and Kogie Govender, Science Engagement Coordinator at the  South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON) in South Africa.

Find out more about AtlantECO on 

Our website: www.atlanteco.eu 

Twitter: @EU_AtlantECO

Instagram: @eu.atlanteco

Facebook: @Atlanteco-EU-107893811437643

YouTube: UCg1fWuQLlpSnnV8aVocHphQ

Logo by Louise Merquiol

Music by No Pilot

The AtlantECO project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 862923. This output reflects only the author’s view and the European Union cannot be held responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein.

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In this show you will hear from Emma Rocke, Junior research fellow at the Marine and Antarctic Research Centre for Innovation and Sustainability (MARIS) from the University of Cape Town, in South Africa, Sarah Elkin, IMBRSea student at the University of Ghent in Belgium and Sofia Cordeiro, head of Ocean Office at FCT in Portugal and coordinator of H2020 AANChOR project.

Find out more about AtlantECO on 

Our website: www.atlanteco.eu 

Twitter: @EU_AtlantECO

Instagram: @eu.atlanteco

Facebook: @Atlanteco-EU-107893811437643

YouTube: UCg1fWuQLlpSnnV8aVocHphQ

Logo by Louise Merquiol

Music by No Pilot

The AtlantECO project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 862923. This output reflects only the author’s view and the European Union cannot be held responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein.

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In this show you will hear from Flora Vincent, Group leader at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory in Germany, Shamwari Anseeuw, IMBRSea student at the University of Ghent in Belgium and Elisa Ravagnan, Chief scientist at NORCE Norway and coordinator of H2020 ASTRAL project

Find out more about AtlantECO on 

Our website: www.atlanteco.eu 

Twitter: @EU_AtlantECO

Instagram: @eu.atlanteco

Facebook: @Atlanteco-EU-107893811437643

YouTube: UCg1fWuQLlpSnnV8aVocHphQ

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In this show you will hear from Marta Musso, illustrator and marine biologist from Italy, from Sandy Thomalla a senior scientist from South Africa and from Rutuja Bansod, a student at the University of Ghent who is from India.

Find out more about AtlantECO on 

Our website: www.atlanteco.eu 

Twitter: @EU_AtlantECO

Instagram: @eu.atlanteco

Facebook: @Atlanteco-EU-107893811437643

YouTube: UCg1fWuQLlpSnnV8aVocHphQ

Logo by Louise Merquiol

Music by No Pilot

The AtlantECO project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 862923. This output reflects only the author’s view and the European Union cannot be held responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The interest of the team was to study the pre-upwelling conditions, so these could be compared to measures that have been taken later on by another cruise at the same station locations and using the same OMICS protocols. This collaboration was developed with the French Institut de Recherche pour le Developpement (IRD). The team also wanted to characterise the Oxygen Minimum Zone that can be seen off the coast of Senegal, as these can affect the microbiome which in turn can impact the fishing activities that take place there.

Now the samples have been sent to the sequencing facilities at the Genoscope, the huge amount of data generated will then be compiled and analysed so that we can better understand the functioning of the microbiome and its links to the Ocean health. this will take quite  a while so we will have to wait to hear about the outcome of this study.

Sam told us about his experience on Tara, his third to date, and second on the Mission Microbiomes flagship. From living in symbiosis with the teammates to witnessing a pod of dolphins dancing in bioluminescent plankton, he brought back a whole lot of memories that will last a lifetime!

This leg was dedicated to all the women involved in the expedition and the AtlantECO project, as our guest felt it was right to acknowledge the huge contributions made from those on land and at sea, in the labs and on the boat, so that the research can progress and together improve how we understand and manage the ocean.

Find out more about AtlantECO on 

Our website: www.atlanteco.eu 

Twitter: @EU_AtlantECO

Instagram: @eu.atlanteco

Facebook: @Atlanteco-EU-107893811437643

YouTube: UCg1fWuQLlpSnnV8aVocHphQ

Logo by Louise Merquiol

Music by No Pilot

The AtlantECO project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 862923. This output reflects only the author’s view and the European Union cannot be held responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein.

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The Southern Ocean forms a boundary between the Atlantic ocean and Antarctica, and there Remi and the team studied dynamical structures, eddies, a type of water mass which is different from its surrounding environment and that structure rotates. They tried to understand if the communities of organisms that are isolated in those structures are different from those in the environment. In addition, they were interested to look at the front, the connection between the two water masses, that of the eddy and that of the surrounding environment, because there is a very high dynamism there with vertical motion that impacts the water mass and therefore the organisms within it, the question there is to know whether the microbiome living there can adapt to those rapidly evolving conditions. There were able to locate and sample in eddies, and once all the samples are analysed we will be able to learn more about all these aspects.

As with each leg of the Mission Microbiomes, this one was dedicated to an amazing woman who contributed to sciences, and this time it is Emmy Noether, a German mathematician who managed to impress Einstein with her mathematical theorems. She had an incredible life so make sure to check out her story!

Remi tells us about his time on board with his boatmates as he calls them, sharing unforgettable moments between moments of work and the general life on Tara. He also shares his experience of South Georgia, where together with the crew they were able to spend a few days and see amazing sceneries and wildlife.

Listen to the full episode to learn more about the Southern Ocean and about what and how we studied there as part of the AtlantECO project.

Find out more about AtlantECO on 

Our website: www.atlanteco.eu 

Twitter: @EU_AtlantECO

Instagram: @eu.atlanteco

Facebook: @Atlanteco-EU-107893811437643

YouTube: UCg1fWuQLlpSnnV8aVocHphQ

Logo by Louise Merquiol

Music by No Pilot

The AtlantECO project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 862923. This output reflects only the author’s view and the European Union cannot be held responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mission Atlantic: Website: Mission Atlantic , Mission Atlantic (@MISSIONATLANTIC) / Twitter Mission Atlantic | LinkedIn Facebook: Mission Atlantic | Copenhagen,  Mission Atlantic - YouTube

The AtlantECO project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under GA No 862923. This output reflects only the author’s view and the European Union cannot be held responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein.

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Our conversation takes us across the Atlantic, in Brazil where we meet with Raqueline Monteiro, who is one of the ocean ambassadors. Raqueline has her eyes set on a professional path that will change the path of her life, she was brought up in underprivileged conditions and decided that oceanography was her way out. She enrolled to study at university, and searched for all the opportunities she could get involved in to make sure her dream would come true. After many efforts, she is now finishing her doctorate, being the first of her family to have been to university.

Raqueline tells us about her experience of growing up in Amazonia, in one of the communities that lives on the verges of the Amazonia river. For her, we need to listen to those communities as they hold so much of the knowledge, and she feels that she can be a representative of those communities, bringing that knowledge into the ocean sciences. The youth ambassador programme is an initiative that helps to make different people, from different backgrounds and regions, visible, and that can inspire the younger generations to follow in their footsteps. 

For Raqueline, it is crucial to invest and provide opportunities to people in those regions where many social inequalities exist, so that they can access education and a way into scientific careers. People have to be at the centre of all the solutions we think about, as they have different needs, different experiences and different ideas for solving issues. 

Her vision for the future, and how we can support the ocean, is centred around 4 points: 1) youth engagement, because we need to involve the citizens of the future; 2) financial resources, to develop new technologies, to invest in education and in people from different parts of the world; 3) inclusion of traditional knowledge, as an integral part of finding solutions and 4) bringing diversity to the main table, so that there is an equitable representation in and contribution to the solutions found.

Her message to everyone is that we are all agents of change, in all of the environments that we evolve in, we can all do something to make a difference, and it all starts with the basics. We should all become inspiration for our friends and families, and together be drivers of change.

More about the All-Atlantic ocean Youth Ambassadorship:

AANCHOR - Introduction 

More about AtlantECO: www.atlanteco.eu 

Logo by Louise Merquiol

Music by No Pilot

The AtlantECO project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 862923. This output reflects only the author’s view and the European Union cannot be held responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This conversation is with Fiona Strasser, ocean youth ambassador from Germany who is keen to engage with people from her generation and ensure everyone understands the importance of the ocean for our society, and that studying it is crucial, not only for the future of our ocean, but also for our future as we depend on its health.

Fiona is part of the EuroSea project, an initiative that is focused on improving and integrating ocean observing and forecasting in Europe for a sustainable use of the ocean (you can listen to the episode dedicated to EuroSea here). For her it is important for people, especially those of her generation, to recognise that the data we collect from the ocean is the basis we need to get a better understanding of how the ocean functions. In the short term it helps us get accurate weather forecasts, and define the status for aquaculture and fishing quotas, and in the long term, we get better predictions linked to climate change or how currents might be changing and how that would affect nutrient cycles and so on. 

Her hope is that the whole world understands how important the ocean is for us, especially those who are the least aware of how the ocean impacts us at every moment, for example those living far from the coasts. And her vision is that we start taking responsibility, and that we enable enforcement of the regulations and listen to the amazing ideas that the scientists come up with. With the ocean being so vast, it is difficult to know if people comply with the rules, for example with high seas “the no man’s land”, where no one thinks they are responsible but everyone takes whatever they can, so people should start taking responsibility for their behaviours and decisions.

Her main call to action is for politicians and decision makers to listen to her generation, to invite them into the debates and give them power to contribute to decisions being made, because it is their future that these are impacting. 

More about the All-Atlantic ocean Youth Ambassadorship:

AANCHOR - Introduction 

More about AtlantECO: www.atlanteco.eu 

Logo by Louise Merquiol

Music by No Pilot

The AtlantECO project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 862923. This output reflects only the author’s view and the European Union cannot be held responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

And our first conversation is with Thando Mazomba, an inspiring young woman from South Africa. With Thando we speak of her experience growing up on the coast of the Indian ocean and then moving to the Atlantic coast, her experience as a youth ambassador, a young professional, an activist and as a general custodian of the ocean.

As part of her engagement activities, Thando is part of the leading team of the Beach Co-op which organises community events that share and connect through beach clean-up activities; and she participates in a fellowship programme working to improve representation of filmmaking for people of colour and has co-developed a programme to showcase the diversity of careers in connection with the ocean to kids from underprivileged schools. These have helped her develop her awareness of how she exists in this space, through her different lived experiences, but also enabled an understanding that there are as many lived experiences as there are people, and that this is what should help us to think of contextualised, equitable and accessible solutions for common issues, such as climate change, as they affect people differently.

For Thando, there is a need to redefine what we call success, turning away from its connections with profit and the bottom line towards the understanding that “the wealth of a community is a direct reflection of the   health of its surrounding environment” and a definition of what long term sustainable success looks like, where both the environment and populations can co-thrive.

As a main call to action, Thando is inviting everyone to approach the ocean space from a place of love, as a commitment to work, to put in the effort and reflect on how we all contribute to our communities, so we can do better and find solutions.  

There are so many messages shared during our conversation that it is difficult to pick only a few to write about, and I encourage you to listen to this episode a couple of times. 

More about the All-Atlantic ocean Youth Ambassadorship:

AANCHOR - Introduction 

More about AtlantECO: www.atlanteco.eu 

Logo by Louise Merquiol

Music by No Pilot

The AtlantECO project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 862923. This output reflects only the author’s view and the European Union cannot be held responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

CEODOS is a Chilean project bringing together 8 centres of excellence from multiple disciplines, including marine biology, mathematics, genomics, bioinformatics and data science; to study the physiological state of the marine organisms responsible for the absorption of CO2 and other gases along the coast of Chile.   

Just over three years ago, the flagship expedition Mission Microbiomes of the Tara Ocean Foundation was launched, with a first part in the pacific ocean, sampling for the CEODOS project and also testing the protocols to be used later on during the AtlantECO part of the expedition in the Atlantic ocean. Alejandro Maass, from the Centre for mathematical modelling at the University of Chile, is the guest in this episode dedicated to explaining the CEODOS project and the activities which took place when the Tara schooner was there. 

The main objective of the expedition there is to understand the relationship between biodiversity and its environment, including plastic pollution, and the impacts that they have on each other when changes occur. This was studied in different regions of the ocean, first in a pristine environment in the fjords of the south of Chile, where there is an important salinity gradient from the effect of glaciers. The second topic was looking at the human impact through production activities, such as fisheries, and the effects on biodiversity. The third being in more northern parts of the country where important upwellings exist which helps us understand the productivity of the ocean. Finally, in the most northern parts of Chile, to study the impact of the Atacama desert on the ocean and its biodiversity. 

While the sequencing of samples is still ongoing a few first observations were already made. 

Firstly, the teams observed that the anoxic zone, where there is less oxygen in the water, extends far more than was previously thought. Secondly, unfortunately Microplastics were found almost everywhere, this means that pristine, plastic free regions don’t exist anymore in that area of the Pacific. Finally, they were able to confirm that the ocean off Chile is extremely active in its capacity to absorb greenhouse gases.

More about CEODOS (in Spanish): https://www.ceodoschile.cl/

More about AtlantECO: www.atlanteco.eu 

Logo by Louise Merquiol

Music by No Pilot

The AtlantECO project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 862923. This output reflects only the author’s view and the European Union cannot be held responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein.

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And this is the challenge that EuroSea, a Horizon 2020 innovation action, is addressing. And in our conversation with its coordinator, Toste Tanhua, we discover how EuroSea has been creating an Ocean observing and forecasting system in an international context, by setting up the basics for infrastructure and coordination of reports structures to have the relevant observation information available to those who need to access it, and this in a standardised manner. EuroSea also aims to have the resources to understand how biodiversity and marine ecosystems are impacted, especially by human activities. Another goal is to make sure everyone understands the importance of having ocean observation and information, as it impacts society in so many ways.

In the last three years, EuroSea has been busy building these required observing systems, setting up the Integrated Marine Debris Observing System and collaborating with the European Ocean Observing System, with the hope that this will become the long-term body to govern ocean observing activities in Europe. EuroSea has also been coordinating different platforms and their networks such as the Argo Floats, really important to understand the climate and for weather forecasting. And they have put lots of effort in coordinating different time series, the data or information collected over a long period of time, so that this information is accessible to those who can or need to use it. Through EuroSea new products have been developed as demonstrators, such as the sea level insight tool which has been applied to Hull, a city in the United Kingdom. The model helps to predict and visualise the potential results of sea level rising and coastal inundation in different scenarios, down to specific street scales. This can be used by urban planners to optimise investments in preventive protective measures such as construction of dikes or relocation of population to safer places.

 More on  EuroSea:

• Project website https://eurosea.eu 
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/Euro_Sea 
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCS4yuekKpYA8QVtr7vrl50Q 

The AtlantECO project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 862923. This output reflects only the author’s view and the European Union cannot be held responsible for any use that may be  made of the information contained therein.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

More information

The All-Atlantic Ocean Research Alliance:

• Website www.allatlanticocean.com
• Youth Ambassador : AANCHOR - Introduction; 
• All-Atlantic Joint Pilot Action.
• All-Atlantic Talks | Podcast on Spotify
• Social media: All-Atlantic Ocean Research Alliance (@AllAtlanticO) / Twitter, Instagram, Youtube, AllAtlanticOcean - Home | Facebook

 More on AtlantECO www.atlanteco.eu 

The AtlantECO project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 862923. This output reflects only the author’s view and the European Union cannot be held responsible for any use that may be  made of the information contained therein.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There is therefore a need to develop an aquaculture that is sustainable and resilient, as well as profitable for producers.

This is the objective of the ASTRAL project, and on the latest episode of the podcast, the coordinator, Elisa Ravagnan of NORCE, tells us all about it. 

In a nutshell, ASTRAL aims to develop new, sustainable, profitable and resilient value chains for integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) production within the framework of existing, emerging and potential Atlantic markets. IMTA involves different species, at different trophic levels, being grown together, and where one species is usually fed (for example salmon) and the others (for example mussels and then algae) feed off uneaten feed or organic waste from that fed-species. This approach enables circularity, which means less impact on the environment and much reduced waste production. 

ASTRAL focuses on developing tools and resources for IMT aquaculture with local species, especially in the South Atlantic, where it is less prominent than in the Northern hemisphere. Based on its case studies, ASTRAL evaluates the value chains for their environmental, social and economic potential, and the tools developed are adapted to the local needs and opportunities.

And this is just the starting point, so if you want to know more about ASTRAL, its activities and results, make sure to listen to the full episode!      

More on ASTRAL:

• Project website ASTRAL Project 
• Twitter: ASTRAL Project (@ASTRAL_H2020) / Twitter 
• Linkedin: ASTRAL Project | LinkedIn, 
• YouTube: ASTRAL_H2020 - YouTube 
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ASTRALH2020 

More on AtlantECO on  www.atlanteco.eu 

Podcast hosted by Eloïse Trabut, Logo by Louise Merquiol, Music by No Pilot

The AtlantECO project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 862923. This output reflects only the author’s view and the European Union cannot be held responsible for any use that may be  made of the information contained therein.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A couple of examples of their results include the  Zoo & Phytoplankton Essential Ocean Variable products Virtual Lab that provides a description of the current state of plankton communities. It has been used by an international team of scientists to develop a "Wildlife Tracker for Oceans" tool, dedicated to the real-time assessment of Marine Protected Areas. Another case is the pilot application Sea Clearly, a tool based on an open-access modelling framework to track particles to hack the origin of microplastics that reach aquaculture cages using the location of the aquaculture farms from the Blue-Cloud Aquaculture monitorand provide recommendations for where to place aquaculture cages to decrease the probability of pollutants reaching them.

Find out more about the Blue-Cloud project:

○      On Twitter: @BlueCloudEU, @sarapittonet 

○      Blue-Cloud website 

○      Blue-Cloud Virtual Research Environment Blue-Cloud Gateway

○      Blue-Cloud  Data Discovery & Access Service 

Find out more about AtlantECO on  www.atlanteco.eu

Hosted by Eloïse Trabut

Logo by Louise Merquiol

Music by No Pilot

The AtlantECO project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 862923. This output reflects only the author’s view and the European Union cannot be held responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

And this is what the AquaVitae project is looking at, how to optimise the food production from low-trophic aquaculture value chains around the Atlantic Ocean. In our latest podcast episode, AquaVitae’s coordinator, Philip James of NOFIMA in Norway, tells us all about the project, its activities and the results they have achieved after more than 3 years of collaborative work.

If you want to know more about AquaVitae, its activities and results, make sure to listen to the full episode!   

More information and additional resources

• Food from the oceans - Publications Office of the EU (europa.eu)
• The Ocean as a Solution to Climate Change: Five Opportunities for Action
• The future of food from the sea | Nature

The Aquavitae project:

• Contact Phil directly: Philip.james@nofima.no 
• Project website aquavitaeproject.eu
• Monthly webinars low trophic life webinars: register https://aquavitaeproject.eu/events/
• Newsletter:https://aquavitaeproject.eu/newsletter/
• Twitter: @aquavitaeEU , Instagram: @aquavitaeeu, Linkedin: @AquavitaeEU, YouTube: Aquavitaeeu

Find out more about AtlantECO on  www.atlanteco.eu

The AtlantECO project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 862923. This output reflects only the author’s view and the European Union cannot be held responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Thulani is a professor of microbial ecology and genomics at the University of Pretoria, in South Africa, and he was the chief scientist for the fourteenth leg of Mission Microbiomes, the latest expedition from the Tara Ocean Foundation. The leg went from Walvis Bay in Namibia, through Luanda in Angola and to Pointe Noire in Congo.

During our conversation, Thulani explains why it is important to study this part  of the Atlantic, one of the most biologically productive regions, to get a better understanding of how it functions. The Namib Desert stretches across vast distances on the ocean coast, and runoff from its soil into the water contributes to enriching the sea with nutrients. What the scientists set out to understand is how this nutrient dense environment impacts the marine microbiome present there.

Thulani also shares with us his experience of being a scientist in South Africa, the challenges of under-representation of Africans in marine sciences and the work done by many people to address these issues. Our conversation also takes us to his time on the boat, through the regions visited, the memories made and the important conversations that took place.

Make sure you listen to the episode to get the full story as told by Thulani!

Find out more about this amazing region: 

Video from Mission Microbiomes: https://youtu.be/5tKiCp6KPL4 

Wikipedia page: Dr Naledi Pandor

Find out more about AtlantECO on 

Our website: www.atlanteco.eu 

Twitter: @EU_AtlantECO

Instagram: @eu.atlanteco

Facebook: @Atlanteco-EU-107893811437643

YouTube: UCg1fWuQLlpSnnV8aVocHphQ

Logo by Louise Merquiol

Music by No Pilot

The AtlantECO project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 862923. This output reflects only the author’s view and the European Union cannot be held responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

To discuss these challenges, and offer some guidelines for improvement, our guest is Sonya Legg. Sonya is a physical oceanographer from the University of Princeton in the US, and she has been actively involved in many mentoring and supporting initiatives for underrepresented groups in oceanography.

Sonya explains what barriers exist and how this is hampering the quality of science that can be collectively achieved, she also shares her experience and offers useful tips for early stage scientists. Importantly, Sonya identifies areas for improvement and actions that can be taken to improve things, and she highlightsthe need for everyone to realise and undertake the role that they have to play in this.

As Sonya says: “If we are going to change the structure of oceanography, we all need to work on it together” 

Information shared during the episode:

Follow Sonya on Twitter: @SonyaLegg

MPWIR: https://mpowir.org/

MPOWIR handbook: http://mpowir.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/MPOWIR-Handbook.pdf

Preprint article, Gender equity in Oceanography: https://eartharxiv.org/repository/view/3357/

Find out more about AtlantECO on 

Our website: www.atlanteco.eu 

Twitter: @EU_AtlantECO

Instagram: @eu.atlanteco

Facebook: @Atlanteco-EU-107893811437643

YouTube: UCg1fWuQLlpSnnV8aVocHphQ

The AtlantECO project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 862923. This output reflects only the author’s view and the European Union cannot be held responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Donata explains that marine ecosystem services are services provided by the ocean for human benefit, and there are three main types, 

• provision services:  with the products we get from the sea, such as food and chemical compounds that can be used in the pharmaceutical industry
• regulation services: with contribution to geochemical cycles, such as carbon sequestration and the role marine ecosystems in climate regulation, as well as the provision of habitat for marine species
• cultural benefits, those experiences we have when we are by the sea, wellness, relaxation and enjoyment, as well as all the traditions that humans have in relation to the ocean.

To learn more about how this is studied in AtlantECO and which specific services we focus on to help develop models and support policy makers when they have to design policies and regulations, listen to the full episode, available on all podcast listening platforms!

And don’t forget to share so that we can spread the knowledge and stories of the ocean as far as possible!

Find out more about AtlantECO on 

Our website: www.atlanteco.eu 

Twitter: @EU_AtlantECO

Instagram: @eu.atlanteco

Facebook: @Atlanteco-EU-107893811437643

YouTube: UCg1fWuQLlpSnnV8aVocHphQ

The AtlantECO project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 862923. This output reflects only the author’s view and the European Union cannot be held responsible for any use that may be  made of the information contained therein.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Here, we talk about the invisible, the microscopic, which is crucial to the well-being of the ocean but often less talked about than more “prestigious” marine species (for example coral reefs or dolphins). 

This microscopic life represents ⅔ of the biomass in the water! It is composed of the photosynthetic organisms, the phytoplankton, which form the very base of the food chain in the water, and is responsible for 50% of the oxygen production in the water, the equivalent of our trees on land. Then comes the zooplankton, tiny organisms which eat the phytoplankton, the bacterias, from which some are also photosynthetic and finally viruses, the smallest components of the microbiome. 

All of these are very important in the life cycle, indeed, they are both at the base of the food chain, providing organic material to bigger organisms but they are also recyclers, decomposing organic material available in the ecosystem, therefore playing a central role in the functioning of the entire system. 

So, if you want to know more about how these organisms are studied and what we can learn from them, make sure to listen to the full conversation!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Emma was chief scientist on board Tara as it sailed from Cape Town in South Africa up to Walvis Bay in Namibia. They studied microbiomes in the different zones of the upwelling, as well as the Orange river mouth. As Emma explains, an upwelling happens when winds push surface waters away and allows for deeper, nutrient-rich water to rise to the surface. This has many effects on the water column and the marine life within it, and these were what Emma and the team on board set out to study during this 5 week long leg up the Western African coast.

Listen on to learn more about the region, how it can help us understand the Atlantic ocean and the changes linked to rises in temperature or ocean acidification, but also to hear more about what life is like on board Tara!

Find out more about this leg in the video: https://youtu.be/W4oKKkl_IrY

Find out more about AtlantECO on 

Our website: www.atlanteco.eu 

Twitter: @EU_AtlantECO

Instagram: @eu.atlanteco

Facebook: @Atlanteco-EU-107893811437643

YouTube: UCg1fWuQLlpSnnV8aVocHphQ

The AtlantECO project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 862923. This output reflects only the author’s view and the European Union cannot be held responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From the signing of the Galway statement, to the establishment of the All-Atlantic Ocean Research Alliance and signing of the Belem statement, Sigi tells us how the priorities for research and innovation were set and why it is of crucial importance to address them through International, basin-wide, collaborations. 

She also summarises the key points from the most recently signed agreement which defines what needs to happen next in Atlantic research and innovation, and how we can contribute to a successful delivery of its objectives.

Find out more about AtlantECO on 

Our website: www.atlanteco.eu 

Twitter: @EU_AtlantECO

Instagram: @eu.atlanteco

Facebook: @Atlanteco-EU-107893811437643

YouTube: UCg1fWuQLlpSnnV8aVocHphQ

The AtlantECO project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 862923. This output reflects only the author’s view and the European Union cannot be held responsible for any use that may be  made of the information contained therein.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What happens in the Weddell Sea, and how will a better understanding of its functioning help us model the evolution of the ocean, its health and its contributions to ecosystem services over time?

To answer these questions, today we are talking to Alessandro Tagliabue who was chief scientist on board of Tara as they chased around icebergs in Antarctica.  Alessandro is a professor from the University of Liverpool, in the United Kingdom, as an ocean biogeochemist, he is interested in how the cycling of resources in the sea affects biological activity and vice-versa. 

During our conversation Alessandro explains the challenges that exist in studying this region, and why it is so important to study it to better understand the ocean’s health, its evolution and functioning. He recounts the conditions in which the team worked together to collect the samples and data, and the life on board, witnessing amazing wildlife in this very special region of the Atlantic Ocean.

Additional information and resources:

YouTube video: 

https://youtu.be/JnXooH6TBk4

Find out more about AtlantECO on 

Our website: www.atlanteco.eu

Twitter: @EU_AtlantECO

Instagram: @eu.atlanteco

Facebook: @Atlanteco-EU-107893811437643

YouTube: UCg1fWuQLlpSnnV8aVocHphQ

The AtlantECO project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 862923. This output reflects only the author’s view and the European Union cannot be held responsible for any use that may be  made of the information contained therein.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Paula is from the Federal University of San Carlos in Brazil and she was on board of three of the first AtlantECO specific legs of Mission Microbiomes, the latest expedition from the Tara Ocean Foundation, and chief scientist for one of those legs.

In this episode Paula explains why it is important to study the Amazon river, and its plume where the river meets the ocean, to understand its influence on marine ecosystems, marine microbiome, and on global biogeochemical cycles. It is also an important region to study the movement of plastics from a river into the ocean, as the Amazon goes through many big Brazilian cities before reaching the coast, and carries a lot of plastics in its water.

Paula also tells us about her first experience on board an oceanographic cruise, her encounters with marine life and the beautiful memories she has made during her time on board Tara, sailing from deep clear sea water to the nutrient dense brown water of the Amazon river.

Find out more about this amazing region: 

Blog post: https://www.atlanteco.eu/post/the-tara-schooner-in-brazil-exploring-the-amazon 

Video from Mission Microbiomes: https://youtu.be/byORIMjFcaw 

Find out more about AtlantECO on 

Our website: www.atlanteco.eu 

Twitter: @EU_AtlantECO

Instagram: @eu.atlanteco

Facebook: @Atlanteco-EU-107893811437643

YouTube: UCg1fWuQLlpSnnV8aVocHphQ

Logo by Louise Merquiol

Music by No Pilot

The AtlantECO project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 862923. This output reflects only the author’s view and the European Union cannot be held responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

To this effect she is currently launching her Possea project, reconverting an old German post van into a mobile sea lab and library so that she can travel around and share the messages from the ocean and its inhabitants. With her Possea project she was named the first Donna di Mare in 2022 by IOC UNESCO.

Marta is also a self-taught illustrator, developing some accessible and informative drawings of the creatures living under the water.

She wants to develop a network of like minded people, so if you feel inspired after listening to Marta, make sure to reach out to her!

Follow Marta and her Posea project on instagram: @_possea 

Find out more about AtlantECO on 

Our website: www.atlanteco.eu 

Twitter: @EU_AtlantECO

Instagram: @eu.atlanteco

Facebook: @Atlanteco-EU-107893811437643

YouTube: UCg1fWuQLlpSnnV8aVocHphQ

Logo by Louise Merquiol

Music by No Pilot

The AtlantECO project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 862923. This output reflects only the author’s view and the European Union cannot be held responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode we cover many topics, from the story of Noel who growing up during apartheid only had access to a limited portion of the beach and ocean, to the realisation that the vast majority of films and documentaries made about wildlife and nature in Africa were made and narrated by all but Africans, and that many young African marine scientists scarcely have access to the ocean or know how to swim or dive, therefore cannot experience the very subject they study themselves… All these led Noel and his team to develop NEWF through which opportunities are created to train and support filmmaking and diving courses for Africans because as Noel says, “We cannot save what we cannot see”.

Make sure to listen to this inspiring episode of the show, and don’t miss the incredible stories shared by Noel during our conversation! 

Additional information and resources for the episode:

NEWF website: https://www.newf.co.za 

Films from the NEWF fellows available on the Waterbear platform (search for each film): www.waterbear.com 

NEWF short clips on Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/user98479975 

Social media: 

Instagram: @newfcommunity

Facebook: @newfcommunity

Twitter: @newfcongress

Find out more about AtlantECO on 

Our website: www.atlanteco.eu 

Twitter: @EU_AtlantECO

Instagram: @eu.atlanteco

Facebook: @Atlanteco-EU-107893811437643

YouTube: UCg1fWuQLlpSnnV8aVocHphQ

The AtlantECO project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 862923. This output reflects only the author’s view and the European Union cannot be held responsible for any use that may be  made of the information contained therein.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why is this region an amazing shelter for biodiversity? How did the team on board study life beneath the water? What are we hoping to learn from this research?

Our guest today is Erica Becker from the Federal University of Santa Catarina in Brazil, she was on board of Tara during the leg from Salvador de Bahia to Rio de Janeiro and tells us about the experience she had while studying the biodiversity in the Vitoria-Trindade chain. 

Erica tells us about the intense three weeks on board, between day and night sampling stations, and the reward of swimming in that region so rich in marine life where underwater mountains nearly rise to the surface of the Ocean. She also tells us about Tagea Bjornberg, the woman scientist to whom the leg was dedicated. 

Additional information and resources:

YouTube video: https://youtu.be/LYFsFrHYgpY

Blog posts: https://www.atlanteco.eu/post/the-tara-schooner-in-brazil-biodiscovery 

Find out more about AtlantECO on 

Our website: www.atlanteco.eu 

Twitter: @EU_AtlantECO

Instagram: @eu.atlanteco

Facebook: @Atlanteco-EU-107893811437643

YouTube: UCg1fWuQLlpSnnV8aVocHphQ

The AtlantECO project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 862923. This output reflects only the author’s view and the European Union cannot be held responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What are these phytoplankton and why is it important to study them? What was it like to be on board Tara during this part of the Mission Microbiomes? Did they actually find the coccolithophores, the phytoplankton responsible for the bloom?

To know more about these organisms and what was involved in finding them along the shores of South America, we are speaking with Flora Vincent, today’s guest.

Flora is a researcher who was with the Weizmann Institute as she embarked on Tara but has since set up her lab within the European Molecular Biology Laboratory in Germany to carry on studying a particular type of marine microorganisms, the protists.

She was the chief scientist in this leg of the Mission Microbiomes, the Tara Ocean Foundation latest expedition, as the boat followed the Argentinian coast from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia. Flora shares with us her experience onboard as they set off to study a bloom of coccolithophores. From collaborating with the Argentinian Hossay schooner, to chasing the bloom around the ocean and making bets to guess how many they would find… Flora relates her journey and the memories she made along the way and she also tells us about Ana Maria Gayoso, to whom this leg was dedicated.  

Additional information and resources:

YouTube videos:

Women in science: the Gayoso experiment.,

Mission Microbiomes: Gayoso experiment, chasing coccolithophores, part 1, 

Mission Microbiomes: Gayoso experiment, chasing the coccolithophores, part 2

Mission Microbiomes: chasing coccolithophores, part 3  

Blog posts: https://www.atlanteco.eu/post/the-bloom-of-coccolithophores-emiliania-huxleyi 

Wikipedia page: Ana María Gayoso - Wikipedia 

Find out more about AtlantECO on 

Our website: www.atlanteco.eu 

Twitter: @EU_AtlantECO

Instagram: @eu.atlanteco

Facebook: @Atlanteco-EU-107893811437643

YouTube: UCg1fWuQLlpSnnV8aVocHphQ

The AtlantECO project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 862923. This output reflects only the author’s view and the European Union cannot be held responsible for any use that may be  made of the information contained therein.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does it take to organise a research mission on board a sailing boat? What sort of activities take place along the way? What is so special about Tara?

Clémentine Moulin is our guest in today’s episode and she helps us answer these questions.

Clémentine, or Clem as we call her, is the operations director at the Tara Ocean Foundation, she is responsible for the organisation and implementation of Mission Microbiomes, Tara’s latest expedition and one of AtlantECO flagship sampling cruises. 

On this episode we discuss the ins and outs of organising and delivering a research mission at sea, from making sure that all permits and local contacts are in place, to selecting the right crew members to go onboard of the Tara schooner and ensuring that all the samples reach their destination labs to be analysed. Clem also tells us about Tara, the boat where everyone who has been onboard wants to return to… and what the mission of the foundation is, from exploring the seas and facilitating scientific advances to making sure the knowledge gained is shared with as many people as possible.

This is the first of a series of episode on the expeditions in AtlantECO so make sure to come back and listen to those who have experienced the ocean first hand and who share what has been studied along the way.

Additional information and resources:

YouTube playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfWUBOeNrFDCrJemPvrrBU1Abf3_mCtqN

Blog posts from the Mission: https://www.atlanteco.eu/blog/categories/expeditions

Fondation Tara Ocean: https://fondationtaraocean.org/en/home/

Mission Microbiomes: https://fondationtaraocean.org/en/expedition/mission-microbiomes/

Find out more about AtlantECO on 

Our website: www.atlanteco.eu 

Twitter: @EU_AtlantECO

Instagram: @eu.atlanteco

Facebook: @Atlanteco-EU-107893811437643

YouTube: UCg1fWuQLlpSnnV8aVocHphQ

The AtlantECO project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 862923. This output reflects only the author’s view and the European Union cannot be held responsible for any use that may be  made of the information contained therein.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

To help us answer these questions, Sebastian Villsante was our guest on the show.

Sebastian is a professor in Economics and a researcher, as well as the leader of the Equalsea Lab at the University of Santiago de Compostela in the Northwest of Spain. Sebastian and his team specialise in understanding the factors that help or hinder the achievement of ocean equity, and the role of marine biodiversity, fisheries and aquaculture for human wellbeing to inform behaviours and policies towards transformative change to achieve equitable distribution of benefits. 

Sebastian explained to us how human impacts on the ocean, through their actions, are increasing over time. At the same time, our wellbeing is directly linked to the health status of the ocean, we depend on it to remain healthy! The Ocean provides us with so many benefits, so having clear policies and guidance on how to achieve a sustainable and equitable ocean for all is key. In the episode you will learn how we are trying to contribute to these important aspects in AtlantECO to develop new knowledge to support a pluralistic, practical and action-oriented way to engage stakeholders and disciplines in the face of shared sustainability challenges.

Find out more about AtlantECO on 

Our website: www.atlanteco.eu 

Twitter: @EU_AtlantECO

Instagram: @eu.atlanteco

Facebook: @Atlanteco-EU-107893811437643

YouTube: UCg1fWuQLlpSnnV8aVocHphQ

The AtlantECO project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 862923. This output reflects only the author’s view and the European Union cannot be held responsible for any use that may be  made of the information contained therein.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Linda Amaral-Zettler is research leader at the Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, in north Holland  as well as a professor of marine microbiology at the university of Amsterdam.

Linda tells us about plastic pollution in the ocean, the “plastic soup”,  and especially about the microbes that live on plastic. These organisms develop and travel on floating plastic debris as they are transported by currents. In some cases, the organisms are harmful and as they travel, they end up in places where they don’t belong, introducing diseases in those areas with an impact on the marine life present there. On the other end, some of these microbes can produce molecules that can be useful. 

Find out more about AtlantECO on 

Our website: www.atlanteco.eu 

Twitter: @EU_AtlantECO

Instagram: @eu.atlanteco

Facebook: @Atlanteco-EU-107893811437643

YouTube: UCg1fWuQLlpSnnV8aVocHphQ

The AtlantECO project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 862923. This output reflects only the author’s view and the European Union cannot be held responsible for any use that may be  made of the information contained therein.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Erik van Sebille is a professor of oceanography and public engagement at the University of Utrecht, in the Netherlands and an expert in physical oceanography, studying how things move in the ocean.

Erik tells us about the importance of understanding how ocean currents transport heat, nutrients, marine organisms and plastic litter between different regions of the ocean and how these currents change and evolve. He explains how this is studied, and how this knowledge can help us predict the future status of the ocean under the influence of different factors, climate change for example. This in turn will support decision makers in how to better manage the ocean resources.

Additional resources:

Follow the path of plastics in the ocean: Plastic Adrift

Find out more about AtlantECO on 

Our website: www.atlanteco.eu 

Twitter: @EU_AtlantECO

Instagram: @eu.atlanteco

Facebook: @Atlanteco-EU-107893811437643

YouTube: UCg1fWuQLlpSnnV8aVocHphQ

Logo by Louise Merquiol

Music by No Pilot

The AtlantECO project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 862923. This output reflects only the author’s view and the European Union cannot be held responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hugo Sarmento is a professor at the Federal University of San Carlos in Brazil and an expert in microbial ecology.

Hugo tells us about the beautiful and intriguing world of marine microbiome, the microscopic life in the ocean on which so many of our ecosystems depend. He explains why it is important to study these organisms so that we can better understand the ocean, how it functions and evolves, but also use this knowledge to get an idea of what our oceans will look like in the future, so that we can act now.

Find out more about AtlantECO on 

Our website: www.atlanteco.eu 

Twitter: @EU_AtlantECO

Instagram: @eu.atlanteco

Facebook: @Atlanteco-EU-107893811437643

YouTube: UCg1fWuQLlpSnnV8aVocHphQ

Logo by Louise Merquiol

Music by No Pilot

The AtlantECO project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 862923. This output reflects only the author’s view and the European Union cannot be held responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Daniele Iudicone is a researcher at the Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, in Naples, Italy, and the coordinator of the AtlantECO project.

In this first episode, Daniele sets the scene for all episodes to come by telling us the story of the project. Starting where the idea came from, to getting the team together and now, after just under two years since it started, what the project is about and what is still to come! 

Find out more about AtlantECO on 

Our website: www.atlanteco.eu 

Twitter: @EU_AtlantECO

Instagram: @eu.atlanteco

Facebook: @Atlanteco-EU-107893811437643

YouTube: UCg1fWuQLlpSnnV8aVocHphQ

Logo by Louise Merquiol

Music by No Pilot

The AtlantECO project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 862923. This output reflects only the author’s view and the European Union cannot be held responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.