COMPASS
Collaborative Oceanography and Monitoring for Protected Areas and SpecieS
The COMPASS Project
Collaborative Oceanography and Monitoring for Protected Areas and Species
Discover UsWhat Is The COMPASS Project?
The COMPASS project will deliver a network of monitoring buoys across the regional seas of the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland and West Scotland. It aims to develop our marine observational and data management capacity across the region.
It will integrate our network of new monitoring buoys to the existing European oceanographic monitoring stations. They will be equipped with the latest oceanographic sensors, acoustic recorders and advanced fish tracking technology.
This innovative project will build cross-border capacity for effective monitoring and management of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).
COMPASS researchers will develop long-term monitoring strategies for highly mobile protected species such as marine mammals and salmonids. It will also provide essential infrastructure for baseline oceanographic and ambient noise monitoring.
This will help us deliver three truly regional scale environmental models, designed to support the management of a cross-border MPA network.
COMPASS Project Partners
The COMPASS consortium consists of 5 partners working in the marine research; the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, in conjunction with the Marine Institute, Scottish Association for Marine Science and Marine Science Scotland.
COMPASS is coordinated by the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute in Northern Ireland.
COMPASS Project Funding
This €6.3million project is supported by the European Union’s INTERREG VA Programme, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).
Match funding has been provided by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs in Northern Ireland and the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government in Ireland.