Official start of the TWILIGHTED project

24 October marks the start of the TWILIGHTED project - TWInning Laboratory for an Innovative, Global Hub To Explore the Deep. This project is a partnership between MARE, GEOMAR (Germany) and NTNU (Norway).​

TWILIGHTED is an innovative project that is part of the Horizon Europe programme, under the Twinning strand, with the major aim of revolutionising research, development and innovation in Portuguese deep waters, and empowering MARE in deep-sea research using low-cost technology. Coordinated by MARE researcher João Canning-Clode, the project has a total funding of 1.5 million euros, earmarked for the development of research work, focusing on the Mesophotic Zone (40-200m) and the Twilight Zone (200-1,000m), taking advantage of Madeira's unique proximity to deep waters.

‘I believe that the TWILIGHTED project can contribute to a transformative journey for Portugal, by fostering creativity and utilising low-cost technologies in deep sea research, redefining the country's role in understanding and protecting these ecosystems,’ João Canning-Clode told Greensavers.

The work planned includes exchanges between team members, expert visits, training schools, joint research missions, the Twilighted International Conference and innovative cross-sector workshops that stimulate creativity in solving the oceans' biggest challenges (the Impossible Things Workshops). ‘Among other advantages, it promises to facilitate greater diversity and collaboration on critical ocean sustainability issues and will leave a significant mark on the global goal of achieving a more democratic science accessible to all,’ concludes the MARE researcher.

As well as boosting deep-sea RD&I in Madeira, the project aims to ensure a prolonged impact on the deep-sea scientific landscape, sustainable ocean policy and Madeira's socio-economic development.