PDP2 – Atlantic Observatory

The PDP2 Atlantic Observatory will be organized as a joint research unit, promoting the network of marine authorities and relevant research institutions, with a strong involvement of the continent’s research communities and the other two Portuguese Atlantic regions (Azores and Madeira), and is based on creation and operation of an integrated, efficient, low-cost and scalable marine observation system, focused on the Atlantic Basin, based on ongoing global or regional initiatives, promoting networking between stakeholders, and acting as a single point of contact access data, information and services associated with the Atlantic.

This project corresponds to an effort to defragment on-going initiatives from the different research groups, mostly in cooperation with international consortia, strengthening the role of Portugal as an active player of the development of research, monitoring and governance of the Atlantic.

The key idea of the ATLANTIC OBSERVATORY relies on the creation and operation of an integrated, efficient, low-cost and scalable marine observation system, focused on the Atlantic Basin, gaining from on-going global or regional initiatives, promoting networking between stakeholders, and acting as a single access datapoint, information and services associated with the Atlantic. When operational, such observatory will be a keystone for the management of marine protected areas, the design of spatially explicit marine planning, assess anthropogenic pressures and ultimately to support the blue economy of the Atlantic.