Integrated macaronesia marine monitoring network (R3M)

Abstract

Although ocean monitoring technology has improved significantly over the last twenty years, there are still many deficits in terms of data quality, reliability, efficiency and sustainability. Macaronesia is a vast area of key interest for the marine and maritime sectors. However, logistics and support to develop and maintain a useful and sustainable monitoring strategy programme still fall short of the needs. There is now a multi-disciplinary group of companies and institutions that have come together as a result of working on common initiatives for many years, for the purpose of consolidating a regional ocean observation strategy entitled R3M (Macaronesia Marine Monitoring Network). This network gathers data from several meteorological and oceanographic devices, such as buoys, underwater vehicles and weather stations, all integrated to a data portal where the data is managed and displayed according to end-users needs.