[{"command":"settings","settings":{"ajaxPageState":{"theme":"hm_theme","theme_token":"iv9kGEmk7jUpBx-2k9_hxiVZolOe8mW0dma50Qlf-hs","libraries":"eJwDAAAAAAE"},"ajaxTrustedUrl":{"form_action_p_pvdeGsVG5zNF_XLGPTvYSKCf43t8qZYSwcfZl2uzM":true},"pluralDelimiter":"\u0003","user":{"uid":0,"permissionsHash":"2af85631393b514cbde3779a1f71d92618d53b94b54ea1960d28b2e2d121ff12"}},"merge":true},{"command":"openDialog","selector":"#drupal-modal","settings":null,"data":"\u003Cdiv id=\u0022republish_modal_form\u0022\u003E\u003Cform class=\u0022modal-form-example-modal-form ecl-form\u0022 data-drupal-selector=\u0022modal-form-example-modal-form\u0022 action=\u0022\/en\/article\/modal\/10009\u0022 method=\u0022post\u0022 id=\u0022modal-form-example-modal-form\u0022 accept-charset=\u0022UTF-8\u0022\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHorizon articles can be republished for free under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) licence.\u003C\/p\u003E\n \u003Cp\u003EYou must give appropriate credit. We ask you to do this by:\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n 1) Using the original journalist\u0027s byline\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n 2) Linking back to our original story\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n 3) Using the following text in the footer: This article was originally published in \u003Ca href=\u0027#\u0027\u003EHorizon, the EU Research and Innovation magazine\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\n \u003Cp\u003ESee our full republication guidelines \u003Ca href=\u0027\/horizon-magazine\/republish-our-stories\u0027\u003Ehere\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\n \u003Cp\u003EHTML for this article, including the attribution and page view counter, is below:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\u0022js-form-item form-item js-form-type-textarea form-item-body-content js-form-item-body-content ecl-form-group ecl-form-group--text-area form-no-label ecl-u-mv-m\u0022\u003E\n \n\u003Cdiv\u003E\n \u003Ctextarea data-drupal-selector=\u0022edit-body-content\u0022 aria-describedby=\u0022edit-body-content--description\u0022 id=\u0022edit-body-content\u0022 name=\u0022body_content\u0022 rows=\u00225\u0022 cols=\u002260\u0022 class=\u0022form-textarea ecl-text-area\u0022\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EFrom mussels to meadows, the sea offers big lessons for all life \u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn the Tuscan Archipelago, the seagrass meadows capture carbon up to 35 times faster than tropical rainforests. The underwater flowering plants have the potential to be an essential tool in the fight against climate change but are vulnerable to disturbance from human activities such as tourism and fishing.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECoordinated from Cork, Ireland, the four-year \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cordis.europa.eu\/project\/id\/101058956\u0022\u003EMarine SABRES project\u003C\/a\u003E is bringing people together to work on the conservation and restoration of the ancient beds of Tuscan seagrass as one of its focus areas.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EArctic and archipelagos\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe effects of climate change are being felt in oceans all over the world. With 22 institutions from 11 Member States, the EU-funded project will strengthen marine biodiversity in the Tuscan Archipelago, the Arctic and Macaronesia (a group of four volcanic archipelagos in the North Atlantic Ocean).\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor the seagrass growing in the Tuscan Archipelago, that means looking at the impact of tourism on its conservation. Numerous groups - from port authorities to tour operators - are involved in tourism.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EThe project\u2019s first job is to identify these key players, then to discuss feasible options with them and inspire local residents to get involved.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\u0022tw-text-center tw-text-blue tw-font-bold tw-text-2xl lg:tw-w-1\/2 tw-border-2 tw-border-blue tw-p-12 tw-my-8 lg:tw-m-12 lg:tw--ml-16 tw-float-left\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cspan class=\u0022tw-text-5xl tw-rotate-180\u0022\u003E\u201c\u003C\/span\u003E\n \u003Cp class=\u0022tw-font-serif tw-italic\u0022\u003EThe Ocean is not just a beautiful thing \u2013 there is a real connection between it, our health and our livelihoods.\r\n\r\n\u003C\/p\u003E\n \u003Cfooter\u003E\n \u003Ccite class=\u0022tw-not-italic tw-font-normal tw-text-sm tw-text-black\u0022\u003EDr Emma Verling, Marine SABRES\u003C\/cite\u003E\n \u003C\/footer\u003E\n\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\n\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u2018We want to try to enable managers working in these areas to make sustainable decisions,\u2019 said Dr Emma Verling, who is coordinating Marine SABRES at University College Cork. \u2018And to empower citizens to engage more with marine biodiversity conservation.\u2019\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ELife connections\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOne of the project\u2019s main goals is to make it clear how economic, social and ecological systems are all interlinked.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u2018We have to try to help people better understand that we really are being sustained by marine ecosystems,\u2019 said Dr Verling. \u2018The Ocean is not just a beautiful thing \u2013 there is a real connection between it, our health and our livelihoods.\u2019\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEach of the three locations will assemble a group unique to its own activities and help stakeholders tackle social, economic and environmental factors they face in decisions that impact on biodiversity.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA second project in Ireland is driving community engagement with some of Europe\u2019s youngest citizens. A high-tech mobile classroom \u2013 known as the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/bim.ie\/a-seafood-way-of-life\/the-arc\/\u0022\u003EAquaculture Remote Classroom (ARC)\u003C\/a\u003E \u2013 is bringing a new generation of marine resources to primary school children. It\u2019s part of a push to restore and protect our oceans for future generations.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDevised by Ireland\u2019s Seafood Development Agency (BIM) and funded by the EU, the experience features Virtual Reality (VR) headsets giving children a virtual dive into aquaculture to discover the processes of fish and shellfish production.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EChildren and aquaculture\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe roving classroom brings to life the sights and sounds of the sea, explaining how salmon, oysters and mussels are farmed in Irish waters. In Ireland, no point is more than 100 kilometres from the sea. And while many of the youngsters live in coastal communities, they generally know very little about aquaculture.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cfigure role=\u0022group\u0022\u003E\n\u003Cimg alt=\u0022School children on board the ARC with VR Headsets \u00a9 BIM, 2018\u0022 data-entity-type=\u0022file\u0022 data-entity-uuid=\u002252de9672-8295-4fec-87bb-bd79493eafbc\u0022 src=\u0022\/sites\/default\/files\/hm\/IMCEUpload\/ARC%20Photo%20Kilternan%20COI%20School.jpg\u0022\u003E\n\u003Cfigcaption class=\u0022tw-italic tw-mb-4\u0022\u003ESchool children on board the ARC with VR Headsets \u00a9 BIM, 2018\u003C\/figcaption\u003E\n\u003C\/figure\u003E\n\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThirty thousand children have visited the classroom so far and it has been getting rave reviews.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u2018The ARC was amazing - it was great fun,\u2019 is how one school pupil from Shanagolden National School in County Limerick described the experience. \u2018We learned all about seafood, the food pyramid and how humans affect the seas and coastal environments.\u2019\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EPlus: \u2018The VR headsets were cool.\u2019\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBy reaching out to young minds, the project hopes to instil knowledge early and debunk the myths about disease and harm that can plague the aquaculture industry, according to Caroline Bocquel, interim chief executive officer of BIM.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\u0022tw-text-center tw-text-blue tw-font-bold tw-text-2xl lg:tw-w-1\/2 tw-border-2 tw-border-blue tw-p-12 tw-my-8 lg:tw-m-12 lg:tw--ml-16 tw-float-left\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cspan class=\u0022tw-text-5xl tw-rotate-180\u0022\u003E\u201c\u003C\/span\u003E\n \u003Cp class=\u0022tw-font-serif tw-italic\u0022\u003EAquaculture \u201ccreates jobs, with good career progression.\u201d\r\n\u003C\/p\u003E\n \u003Cfooter\u003E\n \u003Ccite class=\u0022tw-not-italic tw-font-normal tw-text-sm tw-text-black\u0022\u003ECaroline Bocquel, ARC\u003C\/cite\u003E\n \u003C\/footer\u003E\n\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\n\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u2018ARC is an ideal opportunity to raise students\u0027 awareness of the aquaculture sector and to the get the factual, positive story of Irish aquaculture out to communities,\u2019 Bocquel said. \u2018To explain that it\u2019s a force for good that creates jobs, with good career progression.\u2019\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAdults too are often uninformed about how aquaculture works and what the dietary benefits of eating fish and seafood are. So when schools are on holiday, the ARC features at seafood festivals and science-outreach events.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EOn the move\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBoth ARC and Marine SABRES can be upscaled to other regions and countries.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u2018We see the ARC as a template for other European nations for aquaculture education and ultimately being part of a connected, cohesive education network that will drive understanding and appreciation of the benefits of sustainable aquaculture,\u2019 said Bocquel.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMeanwhile, another EU-funded project called \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cordis.europa.eu\/project\/id\/101056957\u0022\u003EPrep4Blue\u003C\/a\u003E is also putting citizens, policymakers and businesses at the heart of research in the field. Guided by social and sustainable science, the three-year Prep4Blue will provide tools for researchers to engage people in the gathering of knowledge to protect the Ocean.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECoordinated by the French Institute for Ocean Science (IFREMER), it incorporates 17 partners in eight countries.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u2018The knowledge is there,\u2019 says Prep4Blue coordinator Dr Natalia Martin Palenzuela, \u2018But somehow we don\u2019t change our behaviour.\u2019\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAll of these projects come up through the EU\u0027s ambitious \u003Ca href=\u0022about:blank\u0022\u003EMission Ocean and Waters\u003C\/a\u003E, which is a clarion call to rise to the challenge of protecting and restoring these ecosystems by 2030.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIt\u0027s a broad basis for science-based ecological action.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u0027The Mission approach intends to increase the uptake of scientific knowledge by citizens and stakeholders including policy makers, consumers, the economic sector and so on,\u2019 said Dr Palenzuela.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EResearch in this article was funded by the EU. If you liked this article, please consider sharing it on social media.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\u0022tw-text-center tw-bg-bluelightest tw-p-12 tw-my-12 tw--mx-16\u0022\u003E\n \u003Ch3 class=\u0022tw-font-sans tw-font-bold tw-text-blue tw-uppercase tw-text-lg tw-mb-8\u0022\u003EEU Mission: Restore our Ocean and Waters\u003C\/h3\u003E\n \u003Cspan class=\u0022tw-inline-block tw-w-1\/6 tw-h-1 tw-bg-blue tw-mb-8\u0022\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\n \u003Cp\u003EThe Mission Ocean \u0026amp; Waters will help achieve the marine and freshwater targets of the European Green Deal, such as protecting 30% of the EU\u2019s sea area and restoring marine eco-systems and 25 000km of free-flowing rivers.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EWithin the Mission, four \u2018lighthouses\u2019 in major sea and river basins are test beds for innovative solutions. The Atlantic-Arctic lighthouse is focusing on shoring up coastal resilience by restoring marine and freshwater ecosystems and biodiversity.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EIt\u2019s a formidable challenge. For the Mission to succeed it needs to mobilise and engage citizens, scientists, policy makers and all stakeholders.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EOn 24-25 November 2022, the European Commission, with the support of Ireland, will organise an event to mobilise a wide range of stakeholders to join the Mission \u201cRestore our Ocean and Waters by 2030\u201d, and particularly the Atlantic-Arctic lighthouse. Follow the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu\/events\/upcoming-events\/mission-restore-our-ocean-and-waters-2030-atlantic-arctic-lighthouse-2022-11-24_en\u0022\u003Elink to learn more about the event\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EFollow the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu\/funding\/funding-opportunities\/funding-programmes-and-open-calls\/horizon-europe\/eu-missions-horizon-europe\/restore-our-ocean-and-waters_en\u0022\u003Elink to learn more about the EU Mission to Restore our Oceans and Waters\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWatch the video\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ciframe allow=\u0022accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\u0022 allowfullscreen frameborder=\u00220\u0022 height=\u0022315\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/europa.eu\/webtools\/crs\/iframe\/?oriurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fembed%2FPzHaLVMw85c\u0022 title=\u0022YouTube video player\u0022 width=\u0022560\u0022\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/textarea\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\n \u003Cdiv id=\u0022edit-body-content--description\u0022 class=\u0022ecl-help-block description\u0022\u003E\n Please copy the above code and embed it onto your website to republish.\n \u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cinput autocomplete=\u0022off\u0022 data-drupal-selector=\u0022form-xvhl1i8wds3dffylns4rau2kzduaj-3cb-lde7mkgsi\u0022 type=\u0022hidden\u0022 name=\u0022form_build_id\u0022 value=\u0022form-xvHL1i8wDs3DFfyLNs4rAU2kzduaJ-3Cb_Lde7mKgSI\u0022 \/\u003E\n\u003Cinput data-drupal-selector=\u0022edit-modal-form-example-modal-form\u0022 type=\u0022hidden\u0022 name=\u0022form_id\u0022 value=\u0022modal_form_example_modal_form\u0022 \/\u003E\n\u003C\/form\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E","dialogOptions":{"width":"800","modal":true,"title":"Republish this content"}}]