The MER Thematic Line aims to contribute to a Blue Society where solutions are inspired by the ocean and improve decision-making in the ocean and coastal areas supported by solid scientific knowledge, providing the necessary scientific support for promoting a Sustainable Blue Economy and encouraging Ocean Literacy.

Portugal has jurisdiction over one of the largest Exclusive Economic Zones in the European Union. If national requests for an extension of the Continental Shelf beyond the 200 nautical miles are approved by the United Nations, Portugal could have jurisdiction over a maritime area 40 times larger than its continental territory. Therefore, Portugal needs to develop innovative and more efficient actions for the use of its coastal and oceanic regions. In this way, the MER Thematic Line is fully aligned with the Research and Innovation Strategies for Smart Specialization (RIS3) at the national and regional levels, particularly in the valorization of endogenous resources and the implementation of biorefinery and circular economy directives.

Research Groups involved:

• Socio-Ecological Systems Analysis, Management & Planning (SES)
• Resources Circularity Assessment & Technology (RCAT)
• Marine Biotechnology & Aquaculture (MBA)
• Coastal and Deep-Ocean Ecology & Conservation (CDEC)
• Environmental Changes, Hazards & Conservation (ECHC)
• Biogeochemical Processes & Pollutants (BPP)
• Analytical Sensors & Applied Eco-Chemistry (ASAEC)
• Physical Oceanography & Marine Geology(POMG)