Sector

Offshore sector

The development of offshore activities—such as offshore wind energy or aquaculture—requires solutions that balance sustainability, social acceptance and operational efficiency. Spatial planning and technological innovation are essential.

Sector challenges – AZTI’s solutions

Our services

  1. Monitoring climate change in coastal and marine areas.
  2. Impact studies of climate change on marine ecosystems.
  3. Monitoring of extreme events and marine-climate trends.
  4. Time-series analysis and projection of marine-climate scenarios.
  5. Climate-vulnerability assessment in coastal and offshore zones.
  6. Climate-risk assessment for marine and coastal sectors (fisheries, aquaculture, infrastructure), including socio-economic and environmental risk.
  7. Adaptation plans and early-warning systems.
  1. Predictive models of shoreline evolution.
  2. Ocean modelling and operational services for the design of offshore wind farms, interconnection analysis, platform stability, etc.
  3. Daily ocean–coastal information services for multi-sectoral uses (daily service to SASEMAR).
  4. Ocean models
  5. Lagrangian transport modelling in the ocean.Real-time characterisation of ocean transport.
  6. Characterisation of coastal dynamics and beach morphology.
  7. Wave-propagation and impact models for the coast (effects on beaches and structures).
  8. Operational flooding models for estuaries.
  9. Operational models of wave effects in estuaries.
  10. Time series for climate-trend analysis.
  1. Basque ocean–meteorological observing and emergency-response network (EuskOOS).
  2. Satellite applications for climate indicators (extremes, phenology).
  3. Products for monitoring river plumes.
  4. Remote-sensing products for physical and ecological oceanography.
  5. Real-time surface-current maps derived from HF radar.
  6. Oceanographic applications using gliders and autonomous surface vehicles.
  1. Marine spatial planning for new blue-economy activities.
  2. Assessment of marine-energy potential in specific areas.
  3. Development of tools for the sustainable planning and management of marine space.
  4. Socio-ecological system approaches for marine management and governance.
  5. Support to public authorities in the development of Maritime Spatial Plans (POEMs).
  6. Assessment of ecosystem goods and services.
  7. Diagnosis and valuation of ecosystem services.
  1. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
  2. Environmental Monitoring Plans (EMP)
  3. Characterization and monitoring of dredged materials
  4. Assessment of the effects of contaminants on marine ecosystems
  5. Analysis of biofouling in real environments and its environmental impact
  6. Monitoring of ecological quality in coastal and transitional waters
  7. Technical assistance for marine environmental management and regulatory compliance
  1. Identification and management of marine protected areas
  2. Strategies for the protection of threatened marine species
  3. Control of invasive alien species
  4. Restoration of marine ecosystems
  5. Knowledge generation and assessment of marine ecosystems
  6. Marine mapping and cartography
  1. Technological solutions for the decarbonization of fishing activities (energy transition)
  2. Eco-design of diets: consumption of offshore aquaculture products with a lower environmental footprint
  3. Eco-design: protocols for designing production processes applied to new circular value chains
  4. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) – GAMC
  5. ENVIRODIGITAL: software to assess and reduce the environmental footprint of offshore aquaculture
View all services

Juan Bald

Head of Marine and Coastal Environmental Management AZTI

At AZTI, we help to anticipate climate impacts, resolve conflicts over the use of marine space and deploy advanced technologies, supporting a robust and innovative blue economy that is aligned with international regulatory frameworks.

Contact

Success stories

Ecosystem services and marine spatial planning

Marine space is limited and increasingly in demand: fisheries, renewable energy, maritime transport, conservation, tourism, aquaculture… Sustainable management requires a detailed understanding of which goods and services marine ecosystems provide (food, climate regulation, human wellbeing) and how they are distributed across space, in order to inform marine spatial planning and decision-making.

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AZTI anticipates the impacts of climate change on the Basque coast

AZTI addresses the challenge of climate change along the Basque coast through predictive models and monitoring networks that make it possible to anticipate risks and design adaptation solutions. Its pilot studies on beaches such as Zarautz and estuaries such as Oka and Bidasoa provide a solid scientific basis to protect coastal communities from sea-level rise and extreme events.

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AMBI: the world’s benchmark marine biotic index developed by AZTI

AMBI, developed by AZTI, is the world’s benchmark marine biotic index for assessing human impacts on seabed ecosystems. It is used in more than 15 countries and endorsed by international organizations.

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Related research lines and sublines

Research lines: Climate change, Environmental management of seas and coasts

Research sublines: Assessing the state of health of the marine environment, Conservation and restoration of marine species and habitats, Impact and environmental vigilance in the marine environment, Marine spatial management and planning, Observation and impact of climate change

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