INNOVAMARE project (Blue technology - Developing innovative technologies for sustainability of Adriatic Sea): Dive into the depth of opportunities!

The seas and oceans are our greatest source of biodiversity. They cover 71% of the Earth’s surface and contain 90% of the biosphere. European marine waters cover 3 million square kilometers – equaling the total landmass of Europe; indeed, 50% of Europe’s territory is under the sea.

The Adriatic Sea is facing major impacts from overfishing and pollution, which is the result of discarded plastic objects and oil pollution, which can lead to significant poisoning and death of fish as well as the disappearance of the plant world on which human health also depends.

• 49 % of the known forms of life in the Mediterranean are present in the Adriatic Sea
• 64 known fish species are threatened with extinction, largely because of overfishing;
• amount of marine litter is 2-5 times greater from those in other seas;
• by 2050 sea-level rise of 12% is expected;

Solid waste and direct discharge of wastewater are key negative factors for the degradation of coastal and marine ecosystems.