Projeto TWILIGHTED distinguido como Projeto da Década pelas Nações Unidas

The TWILIGHTED project, led by researcher João Canning-Clode from MARE/ARNET and ARDITI, has been recognised as a Decade Project under the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development.

The distinction acknowledges the project’s mission to explore the deep sea using low-cost methods, creating a collaborative platform with international reach and enabling broader access for scientists to study these marine ecosystems.

“The recognition of TWILIGHTED is important for the scientific journey of the team and for the relevance of the work we have been developing,” says João Canning-Clode. According to the researcher, “It is an opportunity to give greater visibility to the research being carried out [off the coast of Madeira] and to its contribution to global ocean-related challenges.” Integration into the Ocean Decade network therefore strengthens the capacity of the Autonomous Region of Madeira to position itself within the context of international scientific research.

Madeira offers ideal conditions for deep-sea research: easy access, relatively calm waters and mild temperatures make research activities more cost-effective than in many other parts of the world. Just 500 metres from the coast, deep-sea conditions are already reached, and only a few kilometres further offshore depths of 1,000 metres can be found. TWILIGHTED sees these natural characteristics as an opportunity to establish Madeira as a global hub for deep-sea research, now benefiting from greater international visibility through its designation as a “Decade Project”.

The project is funded under the European Union’s Horizon Europe programme, with funding of €1.5 million. It is carried out in partnership with GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel and Norwegian University of Science and Technology.

The United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030) aims to stimulate ocean science and expand knowledge about the sea, supporting new opportunities for the sustainable development of marine ecosystems. Its mission promotes the search for “the science we need for the ocean we want”, providing a framework through which scientists and collaborators from different sectors can advance ocean research in support of the 2030 Agenda.

Text: Patrícia Chaves

Homepage image: Rebikoff Foundation

Article image: ARDITI