• Speaker: Dr. Rui Caldeira, director of the Oceanic Observatory of Madeira (OOM).

Foto: Rui Caldeira

Esporles, march 29, 2017. The Oceanic Observatory of Madeira (OOM) is a consortium of regional and national institutions founded in June 2013, which resulted from the implementation of the EU Research and Innovation Strategies for Smart Specialization (RIS3).

With a very poor scientific record in Marine Sciences and Technology, Madeira has been historically dependent on tourism and (governmental) services. However, in recent years, local authorities suddenly became ‘aware’ of the oceanic surroundings of this island system.

In the first phase of the OOM project, historical data has been gathered in a web-based visualization platform in order to determine local competences as well as draw the questions that needed further scientific research and (more) data gathering.

In a second phase (2016), local researchers laid out the scientific agenda for the upcoming years, which is now focused on the study of four main drivers:

i) Biodiversity

ii) Fisheries and Mariculture

iii) Animal Telemetry

iv) Meteo-oceanographic Modeling and Forecasting

Thirty newly contracted scientists and engineers coordinated by twenty local research fellows comprise the scientific staff (50) that are now active at the Observatory.

Results show an inversion of the historical tendencies with an increase in scientific production as well as first interactions with industry and local stakeholders.

As a result, local society is becoming more aware of the marine scientific jargon with OOM’s educational and outreach program.

Several projects and funds with common objectives helped revitalized as well as overcome some of the current structural limitations.

Cooperation with national and international institutions of reference have provided a ‘quantum leap’ in technology and data gathering techniques.

Date and Time: Thursday, march 30, 10-11h

Place: IMEDEA Seminar Room

Font: IMEDEA (CSIC-UIB)

More information: Observatório Oceânico da Madeira