Conservation and restoration of marine species and habitats

Invasive alien species

• Inventory and distribution of invasive alien species.
• Risk analysis for invasive alien species.
• Early warning systems for early detection.
• Control and eradication strategies for invasive alien species.

Assessment and monitoring of the marine natural environment

Assessment and monitoring of the marine environment (coastal waters, shoreline and deep sea):

• Characterisation and monitoring of the marine environment (biodiversity).
• Status indicators for the marine environment (biodiversity).
• Vulnerability of marine ecosystems to global change (climate change, human activities, etc.).
• New technologies and methodologies for marine monitoring, such as environmental DNA sampling, autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), seabed platforms (landers) and remotely operated vehicles (ROVs).

Restoration of marine ecosystems

Plans for the restoration of degraded or lost marine habitats and for maintaining biodiversity.

• Ecological restoration plans for degraded habitats (seagrass meadows, saltmarshes, reefs, benthic habitats).
• Biodiversity monitoring using tailored survey and mapping methodologies.
• Nature-based solutions to strengthen ecosystem resilience.

Catalogues and management plans for threatened species

Specific strategies for threatened marine species:

• Monitoring and cataloguing of threatened marine species.
• Management proposals for the conservation of threatened marine species.

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)

Support for the identification, characterisation, delineation, monitoring and management of marine protected areas.

• Development of maps of habitats and species of conservation interest.
• Identification of Ecologically or Biologically Significant Marine Areas (EBSAs).
• Prioritisation and Systematic Conservation Planning.
• Proposals and management plans for MPAs.