HARVEST ATLANTIC (Harnessing All Resources Valuable to Economies of Seaside Territories on the Atlantic) intends to identify and exchange good practices and sustainable solutions based on innovation, diversification and marketing for the maritime economy and resources, in order to improve the socioeconomic situation of the Atlantic seaside territories, through transnational cooperation. In particular, it will contribute to the enhancement of competitiveness and innovation capacities in 4 specific subsectors of the maritime economy:
- Biotech & Nutraceutical
The biotechnology sector contains multiple subsectors, one of which is Marine Biotechnology. The Irish Marine Institute states that, “The Marine Board of the European Science Foundation (2010) refers specifically to Marine Biotechnology as encompassing “those efforts that involve marine bio resources, either as the source or the target of biotechnology applications” (Irish Marine Institute).
- RDT+I in Navigation & gliding technologies (Shipbuilding and Yacht Building)
The shipbuilding sector is completely globalised and it is defined as a synthesis industry that produces a singular product, rarely into serial production, with a high unitary value and a long period of construction, very sensitive to the economic cycle, with almost permanent global excess capacity, and subject to a fierce international competition.
The recreational nautical sector presents a multi-sectorial structure revolving around two closely related, complementary axes: boats and recreational marinas. This is a very dynamic, expanding sector, which connects and impulses numerous economic activities: pleasure craft construction (shipyards), coastal urban development (marinas and harbours), industry (electronics, motors, and auxiliary industries) and services (accessories, rentals, distribution and training). It also shares deep ramifications with the tourist sector (nautical tourism). Recreational boating, as a tourist activity, plays an important part within marine and coastal tourism.
- Halieutic Industry and
The definition of the seafood sector is not consensual and it might represent different The global seafood industry comprises different activities relating to the culturing, catching, preserving, processing, selling and distribution of fish or fishery products, as well as several different uses. Most of the seafood harvest is consumed by humans, but a significant proportion is used as fish food to farm other fish or ultimately farm animals. Some seafood (kelp) is used as food for other plants (fertilizer). In this way, seafood is indirectly used to produce further food for human consumption. Products, such as fish oil and spirulina tablets are also extracted from seafood. Some seafood is fed to aquarium fish, or used to feed domestic pets, such as cats, and a small proportion is used in medicine, or is used industrially for non-food purposes.
- Green Maritime Energy.
The green maritime energy sector consists of offshore wind, wave and tidal devices that generate electricity for the National Grid in the United Kingdom. The location of the devices, such as wind turbines and floating wave buoys, is governed by the Crown Office who allocate sections of the seabed for the purposes of investment and entrepreneurial activity by companies. A 2012 report by the Crown Estate noted that Scottish waters had the best potential for harnessing wave and tidal energy in the UK. Firms from around the world can apply to operate within the designated zones. The offshore wind energy sector is the most advanced with standardised wind turbines producing just over 60% of all offshore capacity from Scottish waters. The wave and tidal sector remains in the developmental phase with several different designs and technologies undergoing experimentation and testing. However, some devices have become operational and contribute to the National Grid.
In parallel, it will tackle the transversal issues of the value added of the Atlantic products and natural resources, and of the Human Capital. The partnership is integrated by 6 organizations with the capacity to develop the project activities and planned outputs, from different and complementary knowledge and competences.
Importance of the maritime activities in the Atlantic Area
Maritime activities are one of the key elements of Lisbon Strategy, taking into account the importance of the so called “maritime economy”. According to the E.U., the sectors related to the exploitation of the seas represent between 3% and 5% of the Union’s GDP. They have particularly contributed to the construction of the Atlantic Area identity, not only from a socio-cultural and economic perspective, but also in its land and urban shaping.
Some sub-sectors of the Maritime economy are facing tough times (global crisis experienced by both, the fishing or shipbuilding sectors), and others offer strong opportunities for economic growth and employment (i.e. biotechnologies, nutraceutical, energy or leisure boatbuilding), but are still under-developed/exploited in our peripheral coastal areas.
In both cases, revitalization and new economic activities are clearly linked to the implementation of Innovation (processes and products).
Activities
To reach the objectives in a realistic and feasible way, HARVEST Atlantic will carry out the following activities:
- 5 Sectorial Analysis & Benchmarking
- Assessment on existing Human Capital and know-how in order to lead and implement innovation processes in the maritime economy sector
- Identification and adoption of policies and measures to support the innovation, diversification and marketing of the Atlantic maritime economy. Creation of a Policy tool-kit/guide
- Creation of AT-OME: the ATlantic Observatory for Maritime Economy available as a new sustainable tool from November 2013
- Sectorial Workshops, Seminars and parallel Study Visits
- Communication and Dissemination.
