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There are a range of relatively mature technology plat- forms such as new materials, sensor platforms and soft- ware systems originally developed for sectors other than marine such as medtech, telecommunication networks and even finance, currently being adapted to solving real world issues in marine sectors. For coastal and recre- ational environments there is a compelling case for the adaptation and development of platforms for real time monitoring of biological and chemical targets using microarray screening technologies currently used by the medical industry. The discovery of new marine derived chemical and biological resources combined with advances in nanotechnology are informing new approach- es to antifouling materials designed to prolong operational lifetimes of deployed systems while internet enabled cell phones and mobile devices are being investigated for the delivery of real time updates on changing weather and sea state conditions. Gaming technologies are also being investigated for the visualization of seabed environments and to act as interactive design tools for marine spatial planning and offshore infrastructure development. Many of the game changing developments could be adapted from other sectors to expedite the provision of next gen- eration technology solutions to the global marine com- munity. What global activities events – from global warming and the retreat of the Arctic; to natural disasters – do you find driving your work today, and why. Fogarty There are a number of related drivers for the activities of Marine Technology Program and associated outputs. From a scientific perspective there is a need to understand the impacts of human activity and climate change on an the marine environment, a need to improve the spatial and temporal resolution of existing sampling regimes and datasets and a need to understand the dynam- ic nature of the global marine resource as a critical source of food, transport and renewable energy. From a European perspective legislative and policy drivers includ- ing the Water Framework Directive, The Habitats Directive and The Marine Strategy Framework Directive which have specific monitoring requirements. These leg- islative instruments are already acting as drivers for the development of new technologies and methods to enable efficient monitoring and analysis of marine resources. From a socioeconomic perspective there is also a need to support economic development and sectoral growth and to fully realize the economic value of the global marine resource in a cost effective and sustainable manner. The provision of cost appropriate, fit for purpose technology solutions has a significant role to play in the realization of these goals. 46 MTR May 2011 “Fogarty” Continued from page 24
