Improving the preservation and sustainable exploitation of kelps and kelp ecosystems in changing North Atlantic waters

Møreforsking is participating in 'EuroKelp', an international H2020 research initiative on 'improving the preservation and sustainable exploitation of kelps and kelp ecosystems in changing North Atlantic waters'. The project is to be submitted under the sub call 'Blue Growth: Unlocking the potential of Seas and Oceans' and topic 'Improving the preservation and sustainable exploitation of Atlantic marine ecosystems' (BG-01-2015). The project is led jointly by the University of Bremen and the Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (Drs Kai Bischof and Klaas Timmermans, respectively), and currently includes a diverse partner consortium from Europe and North America. The project was initiated in July 2014 by the coordinators and will include two primary milestones, i.e. delivery of first stage pre-proposal (February 3rd, 2015) and main proposal (June 11, 2015), as well as a partner meeting for the purpose of project joint development in Amsterdam on Dec 16th, 2014. Møreforsking is highly motivated to join the project, as the research objectives are central to the institute's research profile. In addition, international project collaboration, research partnerships and contract portfolio are key strategic goals for Møreforsking as a research institution and complement the current research and development activities at the institute. For Møreforsking, Dr Annelise Chapman has been contributing actively to the proposal development to date, i.e. through discussions with the project coordinators as well as comments on the first drafts. In addition to her scientific background, Chapman's training in H2020 proposal development makes her a prime candidate for this task on behalf of Møreforsking as well as the project consortium. Møreforsking intends to take an active role onwards and hopes to be carrying out a significant part of the research should the project be funded. Møreforsking is applying for funding from NRC to carry out this important contribution.