What is the PHAROS Project?

PHAROS is an EU-funded project, led by the Canary Islands Ocean Platform (PLOCAN), and implemented by a consortium of 24 organizations from September 2024 to August 2029, which aims to provide nature-based solutions for restoring ecosystems and biodiversity while tackling climate change and human impacts in the Atlantic and Arctic maritime regions. These goals align with the European Union’s ambitious Ocean Mission objectives.

Funded by nearly 9.5 million euros in European funds, the PHAROS project aligns with the European Union’s Ocean Mission. This mission focuses on protecting and restoring marine ecosystems and biodiversity, eliminating pollution, and achieving a sustainable, carbon-neutral, and circular blue economy by 2030.

Key Initiatives and Partnerships

Innovative Nature-Based Solutions (NBS)

PHAROS will implement four demonstrations (demos) in the Atlantic and Arctic basins, showcasing innovative Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) for ecosystem restoration. These demos will leverage key Mission projects such as Ocean Citizen, Climarest, and Ultfarms, ensuring a comprehensive approach to ecosystem restoration.

Leveraging H2020 and Mission Projects

PHAROS will also partner with H2020 ECOTIP to extend its project in Iceland. Additionally, it will roll out leading Mission projects across the Atlantic and Arctic basins, including:

Prep4Blue MPA platform and network
Nettagplus and Remedies Fisher Guardian and Citizen Litter Entrepreneur programs
Probleu EU Blue School Network platform for education

EU Ocean Mission: Targets for 2030

The European Union has set bold, quantified, and measurable targets to achieve its Ocean Mission objectives by 2030.

These objectives include:

Protecting and restoring marine ecosystems and biodiversity
Preventing and eliminating pollution of our ocean
Making the sustainable blue economy carbon-neutral and circular

To achieve these goals, the EU Mission Implementation Plan is divided into two phases:

Phase 1: Development and piloting by 2025
Phase 2: Deployment and upscaling from 2026-2030

PHAROS serves as a crucial bridge between these two phases, ensuring continuous progress towards these ambitious targets.

PHAROS DEMO

PHAROS will implement four demonstrations (demos) in the Atlantic and Arctic basins, showcasing innovative Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) for ecosystem restoration:

Atlantic Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) Demo

Location: Gran Canaria
Focus: Implementing IMTA systems to integrate the farming of multiple species (such as fish, sea cucumbers, and macroalgae) in a way that mimics natural ecosystems.
Objective: Enhance biodiversity and ecosystem resilience while providing economic benefits through high-value aquaculture products.

Marine Forest and Reef Restoration in Gran Canaria

Location: Gran Canaria
Focus: Deploying artificial reef structures designed with advanced parametric intelligence to optimize interactions with sea currents and improve light distribution.
Objective: Restore marine habitats and enhance biodiversity through the use of smart reef technologies.

Arctic eDNA Monitoring for Invasive Species

Location: Iceland
Focus: Using eDNA (environmental DNA) monitoring techniques to detect and manage invasive species.
Objective: Protect native biodiversity by providing early detection and management of invasive species, leveraging real-time eDNA data.

IMTA and Multiple Use of Space in Ireland

Location: Ireland
Focus: Combining salmon farming and macroalgae cultivation
Objective: Reduce nutrient waste and increase biodiversity through an innovative Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) system.

Three pillars of PHAROS

Reducing Rapid Degradation of Marine Ecosystems

PHAROS is tackling the rapid degradation of marine ecosystems by implementing three Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) restoration demos and one invasive species reduction demo in the Atlantic-Arctic (AA) basin, featuring 11 innovative solutions to restore marine biodiversity.

The project is also expanding the Marine Protected Areas (MPA) platform and network in the AA basin. This expansion aims to create effective and resilient MPA networks with tools for ecological criteria, good governance, and ecosystem services valuation.

Decreasing Ocean Pollution

Ocean pollution is another significant concern that PHAROS addresses through several strategic actions. These include the deployment of Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) systems and artificial reefs. The project will also train Fisher Guardians at over ten demo and replication sites, including those in the EU Atlantic Outermost (AOM) islands.

Citizen litter entrepreneurs will be established to tackle ocean pollution, and awareness campaigns targeting school children and local stakeholders will be conducted to highlight the issue of litter pollution.

Addressing Unsustainable Ocean Exploitation

PHAROS aims to address unsustainable ocean exploitation through innovative trials and methodologies. Two IMTA trials will demonstrate the mutual benefits of collocating polyculture seaweed and multiple aquaculture types. These trials are designed to showcase sustainable practices that can be replicated across different regions.

This approach is expected to foster sustainable exploitation of ocean resources while preserving marine biodiversity.

PHAROS Work Packages

1. Methodology and Preparation

Methodology and Preparation

The first work package focuses on developing a detailed, project-wide methodology to be followed in subsequent phases. This includes gathering baseline data on local biodiversity and ecosystems to assess the suitability of selected sites and potential solutions. Detailed planning and design for PHAROS demonstrations will be completed, ensuring all necessary preparations are in place.

WP1 Leader: Deltares

2. Stakeholder Engagement

Stakeholder Engagement, MPA Engagement, Education, Fisher Guardian, and Citizen Litter Entrepreneur Programs

This work package covers all aspects of stakeholder engagement and the implementation of educational and environmental programs. It will establish demo and replication Living Labs in each site, involving stakeholders in various steps of the PHAROS demos and later in replication sites. A dedicated MPA role will work closely with WP4 to extend the BLUE4ALL MPA platform and network to the AA basin. Additionally, WP2 will extend the Blue Schools Network/Open Schooling concept and implement the Fisher Guardian and Citizen Litter Entrepreneur programs.

WP2 Leader: CSIC

3. Four Demos

Build, Implement, and Evaluation of 4 Demos

Working with local Living Labs, WP3 will implement the demonstrations based on the methodology and plans developed in WP1. This includes analysing and evaluating data results from monitoring, in collaboration with WP4, to ensure the effectiveness of the demos.

WP3 Leader: ULPGC

4. Demo Monitoring, DTO & MPA Platform

Monitoring, and DTO and MPA Platform Development

WP4 is responsible for all demo monitoring based on the methodology developed in WP1. It will build local Digital Twin Ocean (DTO) representations of two demo sites and create project-wide protocols to ensure all PHAROS results and data are compatible with the EU DTO. This work package will also develop the technological component of the Blueprint platform MPA extension to the AA basin and ecological corridors.

WP4 Leader: blueOasis

5. Replication and Exploitation

Replication and Exploitation

Running in parallel with the above stages, WP5 focuses on the replication and commercialization of PHAROS initiatives. It will work closely with WP7 Dissemination and Communication to establish and deliver replication roadmaps and business plan support for NBS, Fisher, and Litter entrepreneurs.

WP5 Leader: PLOCAN

6. Project Coordination

Project Coordination and Management

This work package coordinates all activities, manages risks, and maximises the effectiveness of the Advisory Board (AB). The AB consists of key European experts from the European Parliament, Member States, and EC committees on Biodiversity Strategy, promoting PHAROS results at the highest EC levels.

WP6 Leader: PLOCAN

7. Dissemination & Communication

Dissemination and Communication

Throughout the project, WP7 will run communication and dissemination activities to ensure broad awareness and informed stakeholders. This includes organizing major events and campaigns to promote PHAROS objectives and outcomes.

WP7 Leader: ICoRSA

Project Consortium

The PHAROS Consortium consists of 24 scientific and research institutions from Spain, Portugal, Ireland, Belgium, Italy, Iceland, Denmark, the Netherlands, France, Greece, Ukraine, and Norway, all active at the European level, covering the spectrum of marine ecosystem restoration, ocean pollution prevention, and sustainable blue economy initiatives.

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