NECCTON PROJECT ENDORSED BY UN OCEAN DECADE PROGRAMME

NECCTON Project Endorsed by UN Ocean Decade Programme: Advancing Marine Biodiversity Conservation The NECCTON project, dedicated to enhancing marine biodiversity conservation through innovative methods, is proud to announce its endorsement by the UN Ocean Decade Programme, as a project of the Marine Life 2030 programme (marinelife2030.org), reconfirming its commitment to safeguarding the marine ecosystems. This endorsement signifies a significant milestone in NECCTON's mission to improve the monitoring and management of our ocean's precious biodiversity. The Ocean Decade, a 10-year initiative, aims to develop crucial ocean knowledge for sustainable management. Marine Life 2030 focuses on revolutionizing marine life observation and forecasting for global benefit. This program will establish a coordinated system to provide actionable, interdisciplinary ocean life knowledge to support human well-being, sustainable development, and conservation. Within this framework, the NECCTON project will create and share innovative methods and tools, integrating new biogeochemical and biological data into ecosystem models. The ocean's biodiversity is the lifeblood for nearly half the world's population, yet it faces threats from climate change and human activities. NECCTON (www.neccton.eu) recognises the urgent need for advanced marine monitoring and is dedicated to developing and disseminating new methods and tools. These innovations will integrate cutting-edge biogeochemical and biological data into ecosystem models, improving the relevance and effectiveness of operational centres’ products. "Our project aims to bridge the gap in current marine monitoring methods," says Dr. Stefano Ciavatta, Project Lead for NECCTON. "By developing new tools, we can provide operational centres with data that is crucial for marine biodiversity conservation and sustainable marine food resource management, both globally and in regional seas." One of NECCTON's key strategies is co-designing thirteen case studies with stakeholders such as the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES), and marine protected area managers. This collaboration ensures that NECCTON's products meet the specific needs and requirements of users, directly supporting the conservation of marine life. "The UN Ocean Decade endorsement is a testament to the importance of our work," adds Dr. Ciavatta. "We are honoured to be recognized for our commitment to advancing marine biodiversity conservation and look forward to making a significant impact in the years to come." With the support of the UN Ocean Decade Programme, NECCTON is poised to make substantial strides in marine conservation. The project will continue to collaborate with stakeholders, develop innovative tools, and contribute to a healthier and more sustainable ocean environment for generations to come. NECCTON is coordinated by Mercator Ocean International, read full press release about UN Ocean Decade endorsement here. About UN Ocean Decade Programme: The UN Ocean Decade Programme aims to mobilize global efforts to reverse the cycle of decline in ocean health and create improved conditions for sustainable development of the ocean. It provides a framework for collaborative research, capacity development, and innovation to support the conservation and sustainable use of the ocean and its resources. For more information, visit [oceandecade.org]