The AIR Centre’s Executive Director, Miguel Miranda, participated in the International Conference on Sustainable Fishing and Aquaculture (CIPAS 2025) in Luanda, Angola, showcasing the application of Copernicus Earth Observation data to enhance ocean monitoring and support fisheries operations in Angolan waters.
Organized by Angola’s Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources under the theme “Responsible Fishing and Sustainable Aquaculture: A Challenge, a Commitment, a Mission Uniting the Nation,” the two-day conference brought together national and international experts to foster dialogue on sustainable fisheries.
On November 5, Miguel Miranda presented “Integration of Copernicus Data into the INIPM Portal: Supporting Ocean Monitoring and Fisheries Operations” as part of the Science, Data and Ocean Monitoring panel. His presentation highlighted the AIR Centre’s collaboration with Angola’s National Institute of Fisheries and Marine Research (INIPM) to enhance ocean observation capabilities using advanced satellite data. He also promoted the sea state forecasting service supported by the AIR Centre, which provides real-time data on significant wave height, peak period, currents, temperature, salinity, and elevation for Angola’s coastal waters – essential parameters for safe and efficient fisheries operations. This service is now fully accessible via INIPM’s official portal.
By integrating Copernicus data into local monitoring systems, the AIR Centre is supporting Angola in strengthening its capacity for evidence-based fisheries management and ocean surveillance, bridging Earth Observation technology with practical applications for ocean sustainability.
The conference was opened by José de Lima Massano, Minister of State for Economic Coordination, who emphasized Angola’s commitment to the National Development Programme 2023-2027 and the National Strategy for the Sea of Angola 2030, aligning with the United Nations 2030 Agenda and the African Integrated Maritime Strategy 2050.
The AIR Centre’s participation in CIPAS 2025 reinforces its commitment to supporting sustainable ocean management and fostering international collaboration in marine science across the Atlantic basin.
Marine Biodiversity Networking Friday on Marine Coastal Biodiversity Long-term Observations
On June 16th, 2023, 1-2:00 PM UTC we will have a special session dedicated to the EU project MARCO-BOLO (MBO). Nicolas Pade (EMBRC), project coordinator, will present this initiative which aims to structure and strengthen European coastal and marine biodiversity observation capabilities, linking them to global efforts to understand and restore ocean health, hence ensuring that outputs respond to explicit stakeholder needs from policy, planning and industry. To this end, MBO will establish and engage with a Community of Practice (CoP) to determine end-user needs to optimize marine data flows, and knowledge uptake, and improve governance based on biodiversity observations.
Networking Friday with LabPlas Project
On May 26, 2023, 1-3 PM UTC, we will have the Networking Friday LabPlas Project High-Level Dialogue on Plastic Governance, which will bring together the plastic industry, scientific community, intergovernmental organizations and civil society, in order to discuss what the different actors in Europe (industry, society, policy) are achieving to address the highly complex and multi-faceted problem of plastic pollution, and to present the ambitious research from LabPlas project, in terms of key issues related to plastics in ecosystems, such as sources, biodegradability, ecotoxicology and environmental assessment.
Networking Friday with SANEPAR
On May 19th, 2023, 1-2 PM UTC, Ronald Gervasoni and Walkyria Novais, from SANEPAR, will guide us through a live tour at the Planet Water Museum in Tarumã, Curitiba, Brazil. The Museum is an important space for education and awareness about the importance of water and sanitation and it has several interactive exhibits that address topics such as the water cycle, the importance of sewage treatment and the preservation of rivers and oceans.