Periodic Reporting for period 3 - NAUTILOS (New Approach to Underwater Technologies for Innovative, Low-cost Ocean obServation)
Okres sprawozdawczy: 2023-10-01 do 2025-06-30
The NAUTILOS project, funded under Horizon 2020, aimed to revolutionise marine environmental monitoring through the development and demonstration of innovative, low-cost, and interoperable sensors and observation systems. The project addressed gaps in current ocean observation capabilities, particularly in coastal, deep-sea, and open ocean environments. NAUTILOS targeted improved data collection on physical, chemical, and biological variables, with specific emphasis on anthropogenic impacts such as plastic pollution, noise, and ocean acidification.
Over its duration, including a critical 9-month extension to finalise demonstrations, the project successfully developed and validated 19 sensors—exceeding original targets—and conducted 97 field demonstrations across a wide range of platforms, including commercial vessels, autonomous vehicles, fixed observatories, ARGO floats, and animal-borne instruments. These efforts significantly advanced environmental monitoring capabilities and supported the integration of citizen science and commercial operations (e.g. fisheries, aquaculture).
The project achieved all its strategic objectives, despite challenges such as COVID-19 disruptions, Brexit-related shipment delays, and staffing issues. It produced substantial datasets, ensured FAIR data principles, and demonstrated measurable improvements in ocean forecasting and modelling through Observing System Simulation Experiments (OSSEs).
Through impactful communication, policy engagement, and citizen science activities reaching over 4,000 individuals, NAUTILOS contributed to ocean literacy, supported the European Strategy for Plastics in a Circular Economy, and influenced international policy dialogue. Its legacy includes a suite of ready-to-market technologies, established synergies with key marine observation frameworks, and policy recommendations for ethical and sustainable marine monitoring.
Over its duration, including a critical 9-month extension to finalise demonstrations, the project successfully developed and validated 19 sensors—exceeding original targets—and conducted 97 field demonstrations across a wide range of platforms, including commercial vessels, autonomous vehicles, fixed observatories, ARGO floats, and animal-borne instruments. These efforts significantly advanced environmental monitoring capabilities and supported the integration of citizen science and commercial operations (e.g. fisheries, aquaculture).
The project achieved all its strategic objectives, despite challenges such as COVID-19 disruptions, Brexit-related shipment delays, and staffing issues. It produced substantial datasets, ensured FAIR data principles, and demonstrated measurable improvements in ocean forecasting and modelling through Observing System Simulation Experiments (OSSEs).
Through impactful communication, policy engagement, and citizen science activities reaching over 4,000 individuals, NAUTILOS contributed to ocean literacy, supported the European Strategy for Plastics in a Circular Economy, and influenced international policy dialogue. Its legacy includes a suite of ready-to-market technologies, established synergies with key marine observation frameworks, and policy recommendations for ethical and sustainable marine monitoring.
NAUTILOS successfully fulfilled and exceeded its objectives across all work packages, delivering innovative marine technologies, impactful science, strong stakeholder engagement, and effective exploitation strategies. The project demonstrated significant advances in ocean monitoring, data integration, public participation, and commercial uptake, leaving a lasting legacy for marine observation.
In its final phase, WP1 ensured effective coordination, timely reporting, and successful completion of all activities, including the final meeting and conference. Key outputs included an updated Data Management Plan and a White Paper outlining ethical guidelines for marine observation. Robust communication and quality control facilitated a smooth project closure.
WP7 demonstrated 14 NAUTILOS sensors and samplers across 16 diverse sites, confirming their robustness, functionality, and integration flexibility. Applications ranged from fisheries and aquaculture to marine mammals, FerryBox systems, research vessels, ARGO floats, and animal-borne devices. Two new aquaculture tools and multifunctional sensors were key achievements. Over 40 datasets were produced and shared, highlighting the sensors’ value for ocean monitoring.
WP9 used Observing System Simulation Experiments to show how NAUTILOS sensors enhance ocean forecasts and remote sensing calibration across three regions. The inclusion of diverse, deep observations improved model accuracy, including for biogeochemical and plastic pollution models. Advances in remote sensing algorithms for marine litter detection were achieved, and NAUTILOS data integration into EMODnet surpassed project KPIs, confirming a strong impact.
WP10 enhanced NAUTILOS’ visibility and impact through a coordinated communication strategy, high-level policy engagement, and citizen involvement. The project featured at major events and in international media. A multilingual Ocean Literacy campaign, final video, and diverse outreach tools boosted public engagement. Three policy briefs were shared with decision-makers. Citizen science engaged over 2,000 people across 42 activities, producing 61 open datasets now available on the NAUTILOS portal.
WP11 concluded with all deliverables submitted and 11 Key Exploitable Results (KERs) defined, focusing on sensor technologies with strong commercial potential. Comprehensive technical validation, business models, and market analyses confirmed their competitive advantages, including two novel-to-market products. Early sales, joint ventures, and brokerage events generated over 200 commercial leads. The Open Access Instrumentation Roadmap prototype centralised information on 389 instruments. Environmental impact assessments showed low risks, while socio-economic analyses highlighted significant returns on investment.
WP12 exceeded its targets by establishing 52 collaborations across European initiatives, scientific projects, local authorities, and educational programs. Supported by participation in over 30 events and extensive dissemination, it raised NAUTILOS’ profile widely. Citizen science activities on plastic pollution engaged over 2,000 participants and produced numerous open datasets. The NAUTILOS app was enhanced with AI-based plastic classification and visualisation. Two Ocean Decade-endorsed Learning Labs and 9 e-learning modules supported 27 early career scientists and technicians.
In its final phase, WP1 ensured effective coordination, timely reporting, and successful completion of all activities, including the final meeting and conference. Key outputs included an updated Data Management Plan and a White Paper outlining ethical guidelines for marine observation. Robust communication and quality control facilitated a smooth project closure.
WP7 demonstrated 14 NAUTILOS sensors and samplers across 16 diverse sites, confirming their robustness, functionality, and integration flexibility. Applications ranged from fisheries and aquaculture to marine mammals, FerryBox systems, research vessels, ARGO floats, and animal-borne devices. Two new aquaculture tools and multifunctional sensors were key achievements. Over 40 datasets were produced and shared, highlighting the sensors’ value for ocean monitoring.
WP9 used Observing System Simulation Experiments to show how NAUTILOS sensors enhance ocean forecasts and remote sensing calibration across three regions. The inclusion of diverse, deep observations improved model accuracy, including for biogeochemical and plastic pollution models. Advances in remote sensing algorithms for marine litter detection were achieved, and NAUTILOS data integration into EMODnet surpassed project KPIs, confirming a strong impact.
WP10 enhanced NAUTILOS’ visibility and impact through a coordinated communication strategy, high-level policy engagement, and citizen involvement. The project featured at major events and in international media. A multilingual Ocean Literacy campaign, final video, and diverse outreach tools boosted public engagement. Three policy briefs were shared with decision-makers. Citizen science engaged over 2,000 people across 42 activities, producing 61 open datasets now available on the NAUTILOS portal.
WP11 concluded with all deliverables submitted and 11 Key Exploitable Results (KERs) defined, focusing on sensor technologies with strong commercial potential. Comprehensive technical validation, business models, and market analyses confirmed their competitive advantages, including two novel-to-market products. Early sales, joint ventures, and brokerage events generated over 200 commercial leads. The Open Access Instrumentation Roadmap prototype centralised information on 389 instruments. Environmental impact assessments showed low risks, while socio-economic analyses highlighted significant returns on investment.
WP12 exceeded its targets by establishing 52 collaborations across European initiatives, scientific projects, local authorities, and educational programs. Supported by participation in over 30 events and extensive dissemination, it raised NAUTILOS’ profile widely. Citizen science activities on plastic pollution engaged over 2,000 participants and produced numerous open datasets. The NAUTILOS app was enhanced with AI-based plastic classification and visualisation. Two Ocean Decade-endorsed Learning Labs and 9 e-learning modules supported 27 early career scientists and technicians.
NAUTILOS successfully developed cost-effective sensors and samplers for key physical, chemical, and plastic pollution variables, filling critical gaps in marine observation related to fisheries, aquaculture, and marine litter. These technologies were integrated across diverse platforms—fisheries and aquaculture systems, platforms of opportunity, ARGO floats, and animal-borne instruments—supporting EU priorities for sustainable ocean management and environmental monitoring.
The project ensured robust data management with open-access datasets freely available to support transparency and wider use in research and policy. Extensive citizen science activities engaged thousands, enhancing public awareness and contributing valuable data on biodiversity and plastic pollution.
Concluded with validated, market-ready technologies and comprehensive data resources, NAUTILOS advances ocean forecasting and evidence-based policy, aligning with EU goals on marine sustainability, pollution control, and climate resilience.
NAUTILOS leaves a lasting impact through its open data portal, Instrumentation Roadmap, and active stakeholder network, strengthening EU marine monitoring capacity and supporting future policy development beyond the project’s completion.
The project ensured robust data management with open-access datasets freely available to support transparency and wider use in research and policy. Extensive citizen science activities engaged thousands, enhancing public awareness and contributing valuable data on biodiversity and plastic pollution.
Concluded with validated, market-ready technologies and comprehensive data resources, NAUTILOS advances ocean forecasting and evidence-based policy, aligning with EU goals on marine sustainability, pollution control, and climate resilience.
NAUTILOS leaves a lasting impact through its open data portal, Instrumentation Roadmap, and active stakeholder network, strengthening EU marine monitoring capacity and supporting future policy development beyond the project’s completion.