PRIMROSE

The project builds on existing monitoring programmes carried out in the partners regions to estimate harmful blooms, shellfish toxins and microbial contamination to comply with EU regulations.

This project strengthens risk management systems identified in Priority Axis 3 of the Atlantic Area Operational Programme in order to grow, innovate and generate jobs in the aquaculture sector. This sector relies on sufficient early warning of harmful events, so that mitigation measures can be put in place. PRIMROSE will both develop a trans-national short to medium term risk forecast and a long term assessment of climate impact on harmful algal blooms and pathogens.

This project will deliver:

• Improved forecasts with improved resolution.
• A wider suite of parameters.
• New index based risk assessment.
• Encompass aquaculture from Shetland to Canary Islands

Role of AZTI

AZTI will provide data on toxic phytoplankton species distribution in the southeastern Bay of Biscay, and remote sensing and CTDs data. It will contribute in local assessments and future short term forecasts and effects of climate change.

AZTI will address new challenges for risk prevention in offshore aquaculture installations in the Bay of Biscay, where shellfish production in longlines is on current development. Demonstration of innovative monitoring and forecasting tools will be conducted in the Offshore Marine Aquaculture Experimentation Area managed by AZTI. This experimental zone will be made available to any of the partners so they can try different monitoring techniques (WP4).