The Portuguese Institute for the Sea and Atmosphere inaugurates on Tuesday the Blue Hub – Oeiras Sea Hub, a new facility intended to strengthen the national capacity for scientific research in the oceans, with a special focus on underwater robotics and on supporting entrepreneurship linked to the blue economy.
The ceremony will take place at the institute’s facilities in Algés, in the municipality of Oeiras, as part of the project funded by the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR).
According to IPMA, the new hub aims to reinforce research and innovation capabilities in areas related to ocean knowledge and monitoring, while simultaneously promoting technological and entrepreneurial development associated with maritime activities.
The session will be attended by the Secretary of State for Fisheries and the Sea, Salvador Malheiro, by the President of IPMA, José Guerreiro, and by the councillor of the Oeiras Municipal Chamber, Pedro Patacho.
During the event, several projects deemed strategic for marine research in Portugal will be presented, including works related to the expansion of the National Network of Oceanic Marine Protected Areas, within the framework of the international commitment to protect 30% of the ocean by 2030, known as the “30×30” objective.
Also planned is the presentation of a project on accounts of marine ecosystems and blue carbon, centered on the Rei D. Carlos Marine Protected Reserve, which the institute describes as internationally pioneering.
The opening of the session will be led by the president of IPMA, followed by technical presentations conducted by the coordinator of the Ocean Observation and Monitoring Unit, A. Miguel Santos, and by researcher Adelaide Ferreira, from the Planning and Support to the Board Core.
The closing will be by the Secretary of State for Fisheries and the Sea, followed by a visit to the new facilities.
