The DIGI4ECO recently held the 1st Info day with representatives from the fishing sector to introduce the project, explain the concept of a Digital Twin of the Ocean, and explore opportunities for collaboration through the sharing of historical marine data.
During the discussions, the team highlighted the importance of long-term environmental data in improving marine modelling and monitoring. Potential compensation mechanisms for data contributions were also presented, fostering strong interest from participants.
Key Environmental Issues Raised by Fishermen
Fishermen shared valuable insights based on their long-term experience at sea, highlighting several environmental changes affecting their activities:
- Possible impacts linked to a nearby water treatment plant
- Disappearance of the species cargol punxet from the area
- Shifts in species distribution to deeper waters (e.g., octopus)
- Reduced presence of Posidonia seagrass meadows
- Increased pressure on tuna populations, a protected species currently targeted by industrial fishing fleets
These observations provide important context for environmental monitoring and future modelling efforts.
Data Collaboration Requests
Fishermen were invited to:
- Share historical datasets, both quantitative and qualitative (including interviews)
- Contribute observations on non-commercial marine species
- Help identify long-term ecological trends
Participants also requested clarification regarding:
- What specific information is most useful
- Which data collection methods should be followed
- How data should be transmitted securely and efficiently
To strengthen collaboration with the fishing community, the following actions were agreed:
- Clearly define expected project outcomes
- Share results periodically with stakeholders from the fishing sector
- Prepare accessible summaries of scientific findings
- Organise a public presentation planned for spring 2028