Cape Verde is the Focus of a Scientific Mission to Study the Atlantic Ecosystem
Cape Verde is at the center of a scientific mission led by PLOCAN to study the Atlantic ecosystem between the Canary Islands and the archipelago. Using the autonomous vehicle WaveGlider, the European project Mission Atlantic will collect data on biodiversity, climate and sustainability in the region, highlighting the importance of Cape Verde in the conservation of Atlantic ecosystems.
The Canary Islands Ocean Platform (PLOCAN) has launched an important scientific mission that places Cape Verde at the center of the study of the Macaronesian marine ecosystem. Using the WaveGlider , an unmanned autonomous vehicle, the mission will collect oceanographic and meteorological data over six to eight weeks, analyzing the Atlantic between the Canary Islands and Cape Verde.
WaveGlider , launched in waters near the Port of Taliarte in Gran Canaria, is now en route to Cape Verde, collecting crucial information on biodiversity and climate change in the region. This effort is part of the European project Mission Atlantic , which seeks to understand the dynamics of the North Atlantic and is part of the European Union's Horizon 2020 program, with funding of 11.5 million euros.
Carlos Barrera, head of PLOCAN's vehicle department, emphasized the impact of the mission: "This innovative technology connects the two archipelagos and enables an in-depth study of the conservation status of the Atlantic ecosystems. Cape Verde, as an essential part of this route, directly benefits from the advancement of scientific knowledge."
The WaveGlider is equipped with advanced sensors that measure variables such as water temperature, dissolved oxygen and underwater sounds, allowing it to identify marine species, including mammals and fish, through acoustic tracking. In addition, the vehicle, controlled remotely via satellite, monitors ocean currents and chemical changes in the water, providing critical data for understanding the environmental impact and sustainability of the region.
Fabrizio Mariani, coordinator of the mission, highlighted the relevance of the study: "The data collected will be fundamental to understanding how the ocean interacts with marine life, including the role of the Atlantic in absorbing CO2 and in the marine food chain."
With the uniqueness and richness of the Cape Verdean maritime ecosystem, driven by the upwelling system and the Canary Current, the mission strengthens scientific collaboration between the archipelagos, highlighting Cape Verde as a key point in the advancement of the study of the oceans.
