DTOTrack, a major marine tracking project led by Loughs Agency, has been officially endorsed as a UN Ocean Decade Action, marking a significant milestone for Irish-led marine research.
The project is one of just fourteen across Europe to receive official recognition under the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021–2030).
This endorsement highlights the project’s international significance and its contribution to global efforts to restore ocean health and tackle the challenges facing marine environments.
The Digital Twin of the Ocean: Animal Tracking (DTOTrack) project has secured €2.1 million in funding through the EU’s Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership, with national support from the Marine Institute.
Over the next three years, the project will track marine species and use that data to create a lifelike virtual model, or “digital twin”, of the North Sea.
By tracking how species like salmon and eels move through these waters, the project will help researchers understand how developments such as offshore wind farms might affect marine life.
This science-based approach will support efforts to protect biodiversity while guiding more sustainable use of our seas.
Welcoming the UN recognition, Loughs Agency Joint Interim Designated Officer, Ciarán McGonigle said: “We are proud that a project led by Loughs Agency has received such significant international recognition.
DTOTrack reflects our ongoing commitment to using innovative science to protect aquatic life and support sustainable marine development. This endorsement by the UN Ocean Decade is a testament to the strength of our partnerships and the crucial role tracking data plays in shaping how we care for our oceans.”
Alison Clausen, Deputy Coordinator of the UN Decade of Ocean Science team, added: “Projects like DTOTrack embody the spirit of the Ocean Decade by translating cutting-edge science into actionable knowledge for sustainable ocean management.
“By using marine animal tracking as a vital data source, DTOTrack contributes to building a more responsive and informed Digital Twin of the Ocean – an essential tool to guide responsible infrastructure development and protect marine biodiversity in the face of rapid change.
“This collaboration exemplifies the Ocean Decade’s vision of uniting science, innovation and partnerships to safeguard the ocean for future generations.”
A central part of DTOTrack is the use of telemetry, a method of following animals remotely, to study how species behave in response to changes in their environment.
The data collected will feed into a virtual model of the ocean, allowing scientists to explore “what if” scenarios, such as the possible impact of new infrastructure on fish movement and habitats.
As lead partner, Loughs Agency is working with nine other organisations through the European Tracking Network (ETN). The project will also link closely with other major EU-funded initiatives, including STRAITS and NorTrack, which are expanding fish tracking networks across Northern Europe.
The Marine Institute as the funding agency for Ireland in the Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership congratulates Loughs Agency on receiving this prestigious acknowledgement from the United Nations.
More information about DTOTrack can be found at: www.europeantrackingnetwork.org/dtotrack
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