The SEAVIEWS (SEctor Adaptive VIrtual Early Warning System) project has made important strides in protecting marine ecosystems across the Adriatic–Ionian region. Running from 2020 to 2023 and co-financed through the ADRION Interreg Programme, SEAVIEWS developed a digital, sector-adaptive platform for the early detection and management of marine pollution.
🌊 Why SEAVIEWS Matters
Marine pollution – from oil spills to industrial discharges and plastic waste – continues to threaten the environmental and economic stability of coastal communities. Traditional monitoring approaches often lack the speed, coordination, and sector-specific insight needed to respond effectively.
SEAVIEWS set out to change that by combining smart technology, cross-border collaboration, and citizen engagement to create a real-time early-warning system for pollution events in shared waters.
🧠 A Virtual System for Real-World Impact
At the heart of SEAVIEWS is an adaptive digital platform that brings together:
- Smart sensors installed at sea and along the coast to monitor water quality.
- A web and mobile application for citizens to report pollution incidents instantly.
- Big data analytics and AI tools that detect environmental anomalies and trigger alerts.
- Marine Pollution Hubs, which serve as regional centres for data sharing, stakeholder engagement, and awareness-raising.
This multi-layered approach allows faster response times, better coordination among authorities, and greater public involvement in marine protection.
🌍 A Strong Regional Network
SEAVIEWS brought together partners from six countries – Greece, Italy, Croatia, Slovenia, Albania, and Montenegro. Led by the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), the project involved research institutions, environmental agencies, and public authorities working across borders to improve environmental governance in the Adriatic–Ionian basin.
📈 Main Achievements
- A sector-adaptive platform for real-time pollution detection and early warning.
- A mobile and web-based reporting system for citizen contributions.
- Deployment of monitoring infrastructure at pilot sites in all six countries.
- Establishment of regional Marine Pollution Hubs to foster knowledge sharing.
- Recommendations for policy alignment and updates to macro-regional marine protection strategies.
SEAVIEWS demonstrates how digital innovation, regional cooperation, and community involvement can come together to protect marine environments from pollution threats. As coastal pressures grow, smart systems like SEAVIEWS are essential tools in building a cleaner, safer, and more resilient Adriatic–Ionian region.
Notably, two SEAVIEWS partners – University of Zagreb, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture (the lead partner) and the University of Tirana, Faculty of Natural Sciences – are part of our AquaBioNets consortium. Their vast experience in marine monitoring and pollution prevention will form the backbone of the AquaBioNets project foundational activities, helping us build on proven tools and methods from SEAVIEWS.
