Advancing marine technologies: the crucial role of observatories in the development of operational marine biology - a case study of the emso observatories smartbay and obsea in the aneris horizon project

Authors

  • Ander M. de Lecea
  • Paul Gaughan
  • Alan Berry
  • Conall O'Malley
  • Shane Burke
  • Matias Carandell Widmer
  • Marc Nogueras Cervera
  • Daniel Toma
  • Joaquín del Río Fernández
  • Marc Picheral
  • Catina Geselschap
  • Alex Alcocer
  • Simo Cusi
  • Xavier Salvador
  • Jaume Piera Fernández

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5821/iwp.2025.24.13987

Abstract

The ANERIS project aims to enhance the Operational Marine Biology (OMB) initiative by establishing a systematic ocean monitoring system with advanced biological tools. Leveraging the SmartBay (Ireland) and OBSEA (Spain) EMSO observatories, this project deploys and validates cutting-edge instrumentation like the UVP6 (Underwater Vision Profiler 6) for zooplankton and particle monitoring, CytoSub for high-resolution in situ phytoplankton analysis, and the EMUAS (Expandable Multi-Imaging Underwater Acquisition System), currently under development at Oslo Metropolitan University, preliminarily tested in OBSEA at the end of 2024 and scheduled for deployment at SmartBay by mid-2025. These instruments have the potential to generate critical data on marine biodiversity, particle distribution, and ecosystem dynamics, enabling informed conservation and climate strategies. The EMSO observatories' infrastructure ensures seamless sensor integration, advancing marine science innovation and highlighting the vital role of observatories in environmental research and stewardship.

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Published

2026-03-13

Issue

No. 24 (2025)

Section

Articles

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Copyright (c) 2026 Ander M. de Lecea, Paul Gaughan, Alan Berry, Conall O'Malley, Shane Burke, Matias Carandell Widmer, Marc Nogueras Cervera, Daniel Toma, Joaquín del Río Fernández, Marc Picheral, Catina Geselschap, Alex Alcocer, Simo Cusi, Xavier Salvador, Jaume Piera Fernández

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