Two projects carried out at CCMAR have received funding from the SEA-EU Seed Fund 2026 and the Atlantic Security Award 2026 to investigate the impacts of deep-sea mining and the applications of oceanography to maritime security.
From assessing the environmental impacts of deep-sea mining to the applications of oceanography in maritime security, the two projects combine scientific research with international collaboration.
The DEEPMINE-SUB project, led by Caio Cesar Ribeiro, a researcher at CCMAR and head of the ECHO – Ecotoxicology and Chemical Oceanography research group, was selected as one of the winning projects of the SEA-EU Seed Fund 2026. The project will investigate the impacts associated with deep-sea mining, contributing to a better understanding of the potential consequences of this activity on marine ecosystems and strengthening scientific collaboration between institutions within the SEA-EU alliance.
A new project in the field of maritime security
For the second year running, a project carried out as part of ECHO’s research programme at CCMAR has been recognised by the Atlantic Security Award, organised by the Luso-American Development Foundation (FLAD), the Atlantic Centre and the National Defence Institute. In the 2026 edition, the award was presented to Priscila Cunha for the project “POSEIDON’S GATE: Ocean Intelligence, Acoustic Dominance, and Strategic Sovereignty at the Mediterranean–Atlantic Gateway”.
The research will explore the relationship between the dynamics and physical characteristics of the ocean and phenomena such as acoustic propagation and the detection of underwater activities, with a particular focus on the region linking the Mediterranean and the Atlantic. As part of the project, Priscila Cunha will shortly join CCMAR as a postdoctoral researcher, under the supervision of Caio Cesar Ribeiro. Her appointment will help to consolidate and further develop ECHO’s line of research, which links oceanography, ocean observation and underwater acoustics with applications to maritime security, building on the work recognised by the Atlantic Security Award. The project aims to transform oceanographic data and knowledge into strategic information to support decision-making in areas related to maritime security and sovereignty.
Research into new ocean challenges
The two projects strengthen CCMAR’s involvement in scientific collaboration networks and open up opportunities for advanced training and the development of new methodologies, both in assessing the environmental impacts of deep-sea mining and in applying oceanographic knowledge to maritime safety.
