The research programme that fosters marine collaboration
Mistra Co-Creating Better Blue (C2B2) is a research programme where marine stakeholders will work together for a more transparent, sustainable, and democratic use of the ocean. Last week, around twenty participants gathered for an Offshore Test Day aboard the research vessel R/V Skagerak.
The expansion of offshore wind power and various methods for collecting ocean data were in focus when C2B2 conducted its first annual Offshore Test Days.
"We have used both well-established and innovative methods for collecting data. This is an opportunity to link what we do in C2B2 in terms of technology and innovation, with the data needs of the programme participants," said Torsten Linders, programme director of C2B2.
Among other things, a small observatory that can stream video of underwater life, passive hydrophones to measure sounds at different depths, and a multibeam echosounder to measure the seabed in detail or find objects in the water were tested.
Twenty-two representatives from research organisations and industry participated in the test day, several of whom came from the wind power industry. One of the participants was Emelie Wallenstein from OE Systems, which develops wave power plants that can be connected directly or in parallel with offshore wind turbines.
"We are here to learn and see how different types of measurements are carried out. This day has been great for that. We work with wave energy solutions and need to see seabed conditions, wave height, and wave period to know the conditions and prerequisites for potential installation sites," she said.
Bringing together stakeholders from different marine sectors
The research programme C2B2 brings together industry, government agencies and civil society within the marine-based economy. More and more stakeholders need to use the ocean for various purposes, including fishing, transport, energy extraction, tourism, aquaculture, and fish farming. By stimulating cooperation among different marine stakeholders, the programme aims to develop sustainable management and governance of the blue economy.
"It's getting more crowded out there and there are increasing expectations of what the ocean should deliver. I hope we can establish that collaboration is the key when we develop the management and governance of the blue economy. Co-creation is not just a nice example that we do in this programme, we hope co-creation will become the norm," said Torsten Linders.
Sophia Hallberg from Zephyr Renewable, who works on developing offshore wind farms in Skagerrak, also participated in the test day.
"All of us here today have different backgrounds but a common interest in the ocean. We need to exchange knowledge with each other to coexist in the ocean. We have only one ocean, and we need to preserve it," she said.
Text: Hanna Wedel
The research programme Mistra Co-Creating Better Blue started in autumn 2023. In October 2024, the main collaboration among marine stakeholders will commence. The work is carried out in three so-called LivingLabs linked to Sweden's three sea basins: the Bothnian Bay, the Baltic Proper, and the Kattegat-Skagerrak. In LivingLabs, representatives from industry, government agencies and civil society have the opportunity to develop cooperation in a real life settings, conduct experiments, and test innovations to develop a common vision for sustainable marine management and spatial planning.
Mistra Co-Creating Better Blue brings together eleven research organizations and 25 marine stakeholders from industry and the public sector. The University of Gothenburg hosts the program. Mistra has funded the program with 50 million SEK over four years.
