The Adriatic Sea, due to its natural beauty and significant ecosystem, is increasingly becoming the focus of numerous international projects aimed at environmental preservation. One of such key initiatives is the BRIGANTINE project, which is being carried out within the framework of the Interreg Italy-Croatia program. The project focuses on monitoring and preserving seagrass meadows, crucial for maintaining the biological balance of the seabed, using advanced technology of autonomous surface vessels (ASV). These vessels provide an innovative solution for data collection, especially in areas that are otherwise difficult to access by human resources. The project is funded by the European Union, while Italian and Croatian consortia jointly work on developing technologies for ecosystem monitoring.

The BRIGANTINE project started in June 2024, funded by the European Union through the Interreg Italy-Croatia cross-border cooperation program. The main partners in the project are the Ruđer Bošković Institute (IRB) and the Polytechnic University of Marche from Italy, while the project also includes other institutions such as the University of Udine and the CORILA consortium from Venice. The main goal of this project is to establish more efficient tools for ecosystem monitoring by creating a database that will enable faster and more precise reactions to potential threats to underwater meadows. The research conducted within the project enables better cooperation among scientists and experts from various fields such as biology, engineering, and oceanography, thus laying the foundation for long-term environmental protection.

Advanced technology and autonomous vessels

The use of autonomous surface vessels in the BRIGANTINE project brings a whole new dimension to understanding the marine ecosystem. These vessels are equipped with high-resolution cameras and advanced sensors that enable the collection of key data on water quality, temperature, salinity, and the presence of pollutants. This data is then used to create detailed maps of seagrass meadow distribution and other important plant species. Due to their autonomy, the vessels can operate for extended periods without human intervention, significantly reducing costs and increasing the efficiency of data collection.

According to the Croatian project leader, Dr. Mirta Smodlake Tanković from the Marine Research Center in Rovinj, autonomous vessels allow scientists to collect information from hard-to-reach sea areas in real-time, enabling faster reactions to potential threats. Additionally, the data collected by these vessels will be included in larger databases that will assist local authorities and institutions in making strategic decisions related to environmental preservation.

Wide collaboration for the protection of the Adriatic

The BRIGANTINE project is being implemented in collaboration between several international and domestic institutions. On the Italian side, the consortium includes the Polytechnic University of Marche and the CORILA consortium, while on the Croatian side, the University of Zagreb and the Ruđer Bošković Institute participate. The main goal of this collaboration is to develop tools and methods for long-term monitoring of marine meadows, creating a sustainable framework for preserving the Adriatic marine ecosystem.

In addition to technical solutions, the project also promotes education and the involvement of local communities in environmental preservation activities. Numerous seminars and workshops have been organized to educate local stakeholders on the importance of preserving seagrass meadows and the use of autonomous vessels in marine environmental protection. This collaboration between Italy and Croatia is an example of successful cross-border cooperation contributing to the preservation of a shared natural resource.

Long-term benefits of the BRIGANTINE project

The BRIGANTINE project, in addition to directly contributing to marine environmental preservation, also has broader implications for global climate protection. Seagrass meadows act as important carbon reservoirs, helping reduce the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere. The disappearance of these ecosystems could have catastrophic consequences not only for the biodiversity of the Adriatic but also for climate stability. Thanks to the data collected through this project, scientists will be able to develop strategies for the long-term protection of these important habitats.

"This project brings revolutionary changes to the way we approach environmental preservation. The data collected via autonomous vessels will allow us to better understand threats and provide an opportunity for faster reactions," says Dr. Mirta Smodlake Tanković. Given the complexity and sensitivity of marine ecosystems, BRIGANTINE represents a key step toward preserving the Adriatic Sea and creating sustainable frameworks for future generations.