Our projects

Local artisanal fishing (gill and trammel nets) on the north-central Portuguese coast

The ARTFISH project has been developed by researchers from the Marine Research Lab. The general objective of this work is to categorise local artisanal gill and trammel net fishing operations in mainland Portugal (central-north) in the 2019 and 2020 seasons, in order to analyse spatial and temporal variations in the specific composition of the catches.

Gillnets are composed of rectangles of mesh with floats on the top end and weights on the bottom. The nets are thrown into the water, in a place where there are known to be fish, which are subsequently "gilled" – i.e. trapped in the meshes of the net.

The trammel nets consist of three layers of netting: two outer layers with thicker fibres and larger meshes; and an internal layer with thinner fibres and a smaller mesh.

See the project findings here.

Biodegradable fishing net

BIOREDE is a technology transfer project developed at UC which is being implemented in the SICOR company. The aim of the project it to create netting composed of poly base formulations (lactic acid) (PLA), a completely biodegradable and biocompatible polymer obtained from renewable raw materials, which also provides sufficient strength for the task of fishing.

Lactic Polyacid (PLA)

Lactic polyacid (PLA or polylactic acid) is a polymer consisting of lactic acid molecules, an organic acid of biological origin, which is obtained from renewable natural resources and has the potential to replace plastic.

Accumulation of mercury in fish species along the Portuguese coast: are there potential risks to human health?

This study will provide a better understanding of the bioaccumulation of mercury in fish along the Portuguese coast and assess the risk to human health resulting from the consumption of different species and sizes. The main objective is to quantify the total mercury content present in the muscles of the most sought-after species in Portuguese waters: mackerel, Atlantic bonito, horse mackerel, European anchovy, anchovy, and sardine. The project is evaluating over 14 years the accumulation and distribution of mercury in the muscle, liver, heart, gills and brain of the fish.

Learn more here.

Integrated Multi-trophic Aquaculture as a vehicle for sustainability: the use of macroalgae for the purification of effluents.

This project aims to contribute to the sustainable management of resources through the use of the IMTA system in the treatment of water in aquaculture. This will be done in a controlled and sustainable way, that also respects local production.

Learn more here.

Algae to Market Lab Ideas

O objetivo do projeto é estudar macroalgas invasoras da costa ibérica do Noroeste, para identificar e isolar moléculas e extratos enriquecidos com potencial farmacológico e alimentar, para o desenvolvimento de produtos de alto valor a serem implantados no mercado dentro de 2 a 4 anos. Além disso, e devido à importância do acesso precoce aos blooms de macroalgas invasoras, para permitir a coleta precoce de "matéria-prima" e prevenir danos ecológicos maiores, o projeto também pretende desenvolver ferramentas inovadoras de monitorização de espécies invasoras.

Saiba mais aqui.

Data analysis to observe the undersized specimens taken, the various species captured, and how these species have changed over time and due to different factors.

Researchers from MARE – Centre for Marine and Environmental Sciences are disseminating an understanding of the biodiversity in intertidal zones to students and teachers of the 1st cycle of basic education, with competitions for Blue Schools in coastal areas and non-Blue schools in inland areas.

Learn more here.

Vanguard Centre for Adaptions to Climate Change

This project by the University of Coimbra (MARE, ISISE, CISUC) and the Association for the Development of Industrial Aerodynamics (ADAI), aims to establish an innovation platform, open and inclusive, that incorporates the necessary skills for efficient and effective transfer of scientific and technological knowledge to the business sector.

Learn more here.

CEVADAS is a project developed by a research team from the MAREFOZ Laboratory and the CEVADAS company. The general objective is the use of algae components to replace preservatives and emulsifiers in CEVADAS sausages.

This project is being undertaken by the scientific team at the MAREFOZ Laboratory, supported by the Incubator of the Sea & Industry of Figueira da Foz and the Auchan store at Figueira da Foz. A vegetable garden has been constructed on the roof of the hypermarket utilizing fertiliser derived from composting the fruit and vegetable waste produced daily in the store. Members of the team plant vegetables and later harvest the crop for their own consumption.

O "É seco ou Fumado?" visa desenvolver produtos de valor acrescentado a partir de espécies fundamentais do pescado tradicional da região saloia (raia, polvo e ovas de polvo), através de transformação (secagem e defumação), promovendo a sua valorização como produto diferenciado.

O projeto desenvolve-se em várias fases nomeadamente: monitorização da diversidade e quantidade de capturas destas espécies na região; determinação das metodologias mais adequadas para o processamento do pescado; avaliação da qualidade do produto fresco, seco e fumado; e divulgação e promoção dos produtos de valor acrescentado.

Um projeto desenvolvido pela Universidade de Coimbra e pelo laboratório MAREFOZ, que permitiu a certificação ambiental de produtos da ilha da Morraceira, no estuário do Mondego. Produtos como peixes, bivalves e plantas com salicórnia.

VALSARGO – Valorisation of the Costa Vicentina white seabream is a project promoted by the University of Coimbra and co-financed by the MAR2020 Operational Program, through the GAL Pesca do Barlavento in the Algarve.

VALSARGO aims to promote and enhance the stocks of white seabream found along the Costa Vicentina, promoting artisanal fishing and increasing the tourist potential of the region. The project is based on the knowledge of the topic gained from scientific research and an assessment of its potential for the tourism and fishing industries.

Learn more here.

Adaptation to climate change through the management and restoration of European estuarine ecosystems

The LIFE ADAPTA BLUES project aims to demonstrate that the conservation and restoration of estuarine ecosystems is an efficient strategy to improve adaptation to climate change in coastal areas of the European Atlantic coast.

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The Lixo Marinho app is a project that was born not only by the need to produce statistical data, but also as a means of raising awareness of a common problem in the sands: marine litter.

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Improve and complement the classification criteria of the state of Transitional and Coastal bodies of water

Monitoring the evolution of the environmental quality of coastal ecosystems.

Improve and complement the classification criteria of the state of Transitional and Coastal bodies of water

Monitoring the evolution of the environmental quality of coastal ecosystems.

Environmental Monitoring of the SOMNII enclosure

The MAREFOZ Laboratory has been analysing samples taken from the site of the SOMNII festival in order to study the environmental impact of the event.

Integrating natural and artificial tags to reconstruct fish migrations and ontogenetic habitat shifts

MYTAG is a project carried out in collaboration between CIIMAR, MARE and INESC TEC, which brings together a multidisciplinary team to develop and integrate natural and artificial tags to study fish migrations. As a result of the research done on the project, it is possible to reconstruct the migratory pathways along with the ontogenetic development of fish. This in turn facilitates a better understanding of the population dynamics of species, the patterns of colonization of habitats, and the resilience of fish stocks.

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A project developed by the Municipality of Figueira da Foz in partnership with the MAREFOZ Laboratory. It is located in the Municipal Salina of the Corredor da Cobra. This museum space has developed as a centre of information, education and of raising awareness in various audiences of the need to preserve a traditional activity and an artisanal product, thus also contributing to both heritage protection and local development. The visitor is met with exhibitions tracing five major themes: What is Salt; Salt in Nature; The History of Salt in Portugal; The Technology of Salt in Figueira da Foz and the Production Cycle; and The Salinas and the Conservation of Nature.

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Optimization of the production processes for sea urchins

The development and validation of innovative models for the production of sea urchins (Paracentrotuslividus), aiming at the blue economy and based on the transfer of R&D knowledge to the economic sector. The project emphasises the promotion of diversification, increasing the competitiveness of the coastal economy, and enhancing local development based on entrepreneurship, the creation of sustainable jobs, and social innovation.

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Restoration of Estuarine Marshes with a view to Sustainability

The ReSEt project – the Restoration of Estuarine Marshes with a view to Sustainability – aims to intensify the protection and restoration of estuarine marshes of the Mondego and preserve their biodiversity. The project will facilitate the preservation and sustainable utilization of resources and safeguard the benefits these ecosystems provide.

Learn more here.

See the project findings here.

Raising awareness and Educating for a Blue Society

This is a project of education, environmental awareness and communication of science oriented to increasing literacy about the Ocean among communities on the central coast of Portugal. Its mission is to contribute to the augmentation of social and emotional bonds to local aquatic resources, and to foster sustainable growth and the development of a participatory "Blue Society".

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The SERMARE-PRO project, within MARE – Centre for Marine and Environmental Sciences, is being funded by National Funds through FCT – Foundation for Science and Technology. The project is directed towards Educators of Infants, Teachers of Basic and Secondary Education and Special Education Teachers.

This project has the objective of empowering teachers to introduce the concept of Ocean Literacy into school educational programs in an integrated, interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary way, raising awareness of the importance of the Ocean as a valuable source of resources and knowledge.

Learn more here.

Sustainable built environment under natural hazards and extreme events

The principal objective of the SUSpENsE project is to address challenges that may compromise the future of humanity, such as natural risks, the gradual effects of climate change caused by human activity, and recent anthropogenic threats on a global scale – such as terrorism and the movement of refugees.

The project has four main foci: sustainable exploitation of sea resources; effective implementation of construction practices; development of efficient solutions for aquatic ecosystems; and to address the main problems of growing technology-intensive urbanization in order to improve cities.

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Sustainable Aquaculture Effluent Treatment based on the Integrated Multitrophic Aquaculture System

Sustainable Aquaculture Effluent Treatment based on the Integrated Multitrophic Aquaculture System (IMTA) is now a possibility. However, its application as an effluent treatment system has not yet been fully realised. IMTA Systems have emerged as an environmentally friendly technology in the treatment of aquaculture effluents using macroalgae, which benefit the aquafarmer economically, socially and environmentally. An IMTA pilot project has been installed in an aquaculture area of Lavos, Figueira da Foz.

Learn more here.

Capitalising Climate Change Projects in Risk Management For a Better AA Resilience

The Triple-C project focuses on the analysis, evaluation and capitalisation of successful European projects in the prevention and management of risks arising from climate change. Partners will collaborate to transfer the best practices identified with the ultimate goal of integrating the selected results into regional and European policies. This capitalisation will also serve as the basis for the next generation of transnational cooperation programs.

Learn more here.

The Sciences of the Sea for and with Young People

The University of the Ocean intends to develop an innovative model for bringing young people closer to researchers and economic activities in the thematic area of sea sciences and technologies, following the general principles of the Universidades Jovens. The project focuses on school-age youth, teachers and researchers.

Learn more here.

VALSARGO – Valorisation of the Costa Vicentina white seabream is a project promoted by the University of Coimbra and co-financed by the MAR2020 Operational Program, through the GAL Pesca do Barlavento in the Algarve.

VALSARGO aims to promote and enhance the stocks of white seabream found along the Costa Vicentina, promoting artisanal fishing and increasing the tourist potential of the region. The project is based on the knowledge of the topic gained from scientific research and an assessment of its potential for the tourism and fishing industries.

Learn more here.

VALSARGO – Valorisation of the Costa Vicentina white seabream is a project promoted by the University of Coimbra and co-financed by the MAR2020 Operational Program, through the GAL Pesca do Barlavento in the Algarve.

VALSARGO aims to promote and enhance the stocks of white seabream found along the Costa Vicentina, promoting artisanal fishing and increasing the tourist potential of the region. The project is based on the knowledge of the topic gained from scientific research and an assessment of its potential for the tourism and fishing industries.

Learn more here.