Coastal and inshore marine observations are vital for safeguarding the health of our ocean and the communities that depend on them. These dynamic zones are the lifeblood of marine ecosystems, providing nurseries for ecologically and commercially important species, regulating climate through carbon capture and storage, and supporting livelihoods through fishing, tourism, energy and commerce. Observing these vibrant waters fosters deeper understanding that promotes resilience through sustainable management practices, protecting coasts and our coastal communities, and supports our future wellbeing and cultural heritage.
The rapid pace of innovation in marine autonomy creates an opportunity to transform how we measure and monitor inshore and coastal waters using more affordable and sustainable technologies. It also unlocks the potential of better integration of oceanographic research and statutory monitoring infrastructure across inshore, coastal and open waters. The naturally highly dynamic nature and growing competition for marine space however presents significant technical and operational challenges to realising this vision.
Convened by NERC’s Future Marine Infrastructure (FMRI) programme and hosted by the National Centre for Coastal Autonomy (NCCA), this one-day workshop is delivered in partnership with Defra, NOC, NPL and the Scottish Government. Combining keynote presentations from research, government and industry leaders, breakout working groups and networking opportunities, we are aiming to convene a diverse community of coastal autonomy stakeholders with the objective of producing a roadmap for unleashing its full potential.