##### <a href="https://connect.groundstation.space/iliad-hackathon" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Register at https://connect.groundstation.space/iliad-hackathon</a><br/><br/>

**Umbrella topic: Balancing Aquaculture and Marine Protected Areas for Food Security.**
To achieve a balance between aquaculture and the conservation goals of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) while also ensuring food secure operations that minimise ecological impacts and avoid sensitivity require careful planning, sustainable practices, and robust regulations. This involves:
- Site Selection: Choosing appropriate sites for aquaculture areas within MPAs.
- Sustainable Practices: Implementing best practices in aquaculture, such as minimising pollution, using responsible feed sources, and avoiding the use of antibiotics and chemicals.
- Monitoring and Enforcement: Regular monitoring of aquaculture operations within MPAs, along with effective enforcement of regulations, is essential to prevent negative impacts and ensure compliance with sustainability standards.
- Integrated Management: Developing integrated management plans that consider both aquaculture and conservation goals, involving stakeholders, local communities, and experts in the decision-making process.

**Challenges:**
For the Iliad hackathon we have defined 6 challenges which we would like you to address:

1. **Impact on Local Economies:** Well-managed aquaculture operations within or near MPAs can create jobs and stimulate local economies, particularly in rural coastal communities. This can lead to increased economic stability and improved living conditions for these communities.
2. **Reduced Pressure on Wild Stocks:** By providing an alternative source of seafood, aquaculture can help alleviate the overexploitation of wild fish stocks, which is a common issue in many marine areas. This contributes to the conservation of marine biodiversity and ecosystem health within MPAs.
3. **Impact of Environmental Degradation:** Poorly managed aquaculture practices can lead to water pollution, habitat destruction, and the release of disease and non-native species into the surrounding marine environment. These impacts can undermine the conservation goals of MPAs and harm the overall health of marine ecosystems.
4. **Conflict with Conservation Goals:** If aquaculture operations expand within MPAs without proper planning and regulation, they can come into conflict with the conservation objectives of these areas. The presence of aquaculture facilities might lead to habitat degradation and displacement of native species.
5. **Loss of Biodiversity:** Depending on the scale and intensity of aquaculture operations, there is a risk of displacing or competing with native species. This could lead to reduced biodiversity within the MPAs, disrupting the balance of the ecosystem.
6. **Disease Transmission:** Concentrated fish populations in aquaculture settings can be susceptible to diseases. If disease outbreaks occur, there's a potential for these diseases to spread to wild populations within or around the MPAs, impacting the health of both cultured and wild species.


**Offline and Online Participation:**
This hackathon has a hybrid format. Summer School participants will join from the Hoceima National Park location. The organisers will encourage and assist in mixing online and offline participants, recognising each group's unique strengths. To minimise the knowledge gap in the teams most of the educational materials of the Summer School, as well as other relevant resources, will also be made available for online participants of the hackathon.

**Data sources:**
During the Summer School the on site participants will collect local data from Hoceima National Park (MPA). This data will be made available to the online team members of each group. Furthermore, the use of both open in-situ and space-based data in an interoperable fashion is key. Space based as well as in-situ data sources will be made available for the registered participants in the coming days.

**Evaluation Criteria:**
All teams will be evaluated according to the following criteria *(max 100 points)*: 

- **Documentation:** Report sufficient and effective. The report clearly responds to the challenge goals *(10 points)*
- **Evidence of use of Opendata, interoperability, INSPIRE, GEO principles, FAIR, CARE, TRUST:** Evidence of use/combinations of open data, INSPIRE, GEO. Interoperability: use of OGC standards, cross sectoral interoperability, cross boundary interoperability, integration of citizen science *(20 points)*
- **Innovation:** How creative is the solution? Is it cutting edge or applies knowledge in a new way? Is it realistic and applicable? Do you see the project providing significant value to ocean related activities? *(20 points)*
- **Impact:** Cross-disciplinary cross-sectoral impact. Does it support SDGs/GreenDeal/DestiantionE and EU Missions? *(10 points)*
- **Market potential:** Do you see a market potential in the challenge results (including public and private services)? *(20 points)*
- **Sustainability:** Are there clear steps to make the solution sustainable beyond the hackathon? *(10 points)* 
- **Presentation skills:** Clarity, coherence, and professionality of presentation *(10 points)* 

**Awards:**
- Abstracts of all the results will be published on Iliad outlets
- A selection (number to be decided) will get extra opportunities to promote and communicate the team work and team members. 
- A spot in the CASSINI Hackathon (Netherlands) -- for team members from the EU.

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</div>

Iliad Hackathon

***"Innovative Tools and Applications for a sustainable Blue Economy"***

The [Iliad](https://www.ocean-twin.eu/iliad-project-overview) Digital Twins of the Ocean Summer School 2023: "Innovative Tools and Applications for a sustainable Blue Economy" will take place 3-10 September 2023 at the Marine Observatory of Al Hoceima, Morocco.

The course is aimed at graduate (Masters/PhD) students, and early career scientists in the fields of Marine ecology, Oceanography, Environmental monitoring, Remote sensing, Marine/Oceanic engineering, Data science and Artificial Intelligence (AI).
 
Key topic areas are:

**Data acquisition,  processing and management**: Learn about the data life cycle, the different types of data that goes into a digital twin of the ocean and how to make them interoperable.   

**Numerical modelling**: Ocean modelling with heterogeneous data, diverse tools for ocean data modelling

**The tools needed to create a digital twin of the ocean**: Introduction to some of the frequently used tools along the value chain of digital twins of the ocean. OGC standards, Python, Docker, other.

**ICT technology (use of platforms, AI, Machine learning)**: Iliad uses a variety of platforms, including NextGEOSS, Global Ocean Platform, GeoMachine. 

The Iliad summer school has lecturers from Alseamar, Ocean Best Practices, Hidromod, INESCTEC, SeaGust, BLB, OGC, Blue Lobster IT Ltd and more.

**About the Iliad Summer School**

The Summer School will be held on the Mediterranean coast of Morocco, at Al Hoceima National Park, 290 km East of Tangiers, between 3-10 September 2023. Lectures will be provided by high profile professionals in the fields of Oceanography, Data Analytics, Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence (AI). Combined with lectures, there will be field trips to a) the marine nature reserve of the Al Hoceima National Park, and to b) a mussel farm on the edge of the Al Hoceima National Park Marine Reserve, to train the participants on the use of innovative technologies for marine data acquisition and processing. The summer school will also host competitions and a hackathon  and will cap off with an awards ceremony and a farewell party.

The Iliad Digital Twins of the Ocean Summer School 2023

The annual <a href="https://oceans-and-fisheries.ec.europa.eu/events/2023-fisheries-science-seminar-citizen-science-2023-06-30_en" target="_blank">Fisheries Science Seminar</a>, organised by the <a href="https://commission.europa.eu/about-european-commission/departments-and-executive-agencies/maritime-affairs-and-fisheries_en" target="_blank">Directorate General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries</a>, will take place on June 30, 2023. This year's focus will be the role of citizen science in supporting fisheries science and management. The event includes presentations, followed by a stakeholder panel discussion.

The seminar aims to explore citizen engagement in scientific processes and fisheries management. It provides a platform for dialogue, networking, and debates on the potential of Citizen Science to inform fisheries and environmental policies. The event emphasizes the importance of citizen science in implementing an Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM) and gathering data on recreational fisheries.

Hosted by the Directorate General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, the seminar facilitates dialogue, networking, and reflection on scientific advice and research in fisheries. The outcomes will shape future policies and adapt to current ones. The seminar also contributes to internal training, promoting knowledge exchange and collaboration within the institution.

The Fisheries Science Seminar will be held in a hybrid format, allowing attendees to participate both in-person and online. Physical attendance is encouraged but limited to venue capacity.


**Iliad participation**

Dori Edelist, PhD Marine Ecologist from the University of Haifa, will be presenting a poster at the exhibition on supporting fisheries management through Citizen Science within the framework of the Iliad project. The presentation will highlight the challenges, opportunities, and contributions of Iliad to policy-making, emphasising the role of Citizen Science in promoting effective fisheries management.


<a href="https://oceans-and-fisheries.ec.europa.eu/events/2023-fisheries-science-seminar-citizen-science-2023-06-30_en" target="_blank"><button type="button" class="btn btn-primary">More information</button></a> 

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2023 Fisheries Science Seminar - Citizen Science

The Free and Open Source Software for Geospatial (FOSS4G) 2023 international conference will be hosted by [FLOSSK](https://flossk.org/) in Prizren, Kosovo, 26th June to 2nd July 2023.

Organised by [OSGeo](https://www.osgeo.org/) and with more than 15 years of experience, this international annual gathering of location enthusiasts is the largest global gathering for geospatial software.

FOSS4G brings together developers, users, decision-makers and observers from a broad spectrum of organisations and fields of operation. Through seven days of workshops, presentations, discussions, and cooperation, FOSS4G participants create effective and relevant geospatial products, standards, and protocols.

Iliad expert, Piotr Zaborowski, Leader and Manager programs at Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) submitted an abstract entitled “Open resources and open standards for multi-source marine twinning”, which embraces Iliad cases for an open call.

The presentation by Piotr Zaborowski will take place on **Wednesday, 28 June at 10:30**.

[https://talks.osgeo.org/foss4g-2023/talk/KRASRT/](https://talks.osgeo.org/foss4g-2023/talk/KRASRT/)

Selection is based on [community-based voting](https://talks.osgeo.org/foss4g-2023/p/voting/signup/). You can vote for your topics of interest for the conference [online](https://2023.foss4g.org/call-for-papers/), scroll down and press "VOTE HERE", enter your e-mail address and follow the link in the received e-mail.

[<button type="button" class="btn btn-primary">More information</button>](https://2023.foss4g.org/about/)

<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/ocean-twin-cms-content/FOSS_4_G_5429ba53f1/FOSS_4_G_5429ba53f1.png" style="max-width: 250px" alt="" />



FOSS4G 2023

Save the date!

The 2️nd Digital Ocean Forum will take place online on 15 June 2023. The event will be Online.

Stay tuned for more information. 

In the meantime, discover more about the <a href="https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/funding/funding-opportunities/funding-programmes-and-open-calls/horizon-europe/eu-missions-horizon-europe/restore-our-ocean-and-waters/european-digital-twin-ocean-european-dto_en" target="_blank">European Digital Twin of the Ocean</a>!

![2nd digital ocean forum save the data banner.jpeg](https://storage.googleapis.com/ocean-twin-cms-content/2nd_digital_ocean_forum_save_the_data_banner_b06b659e8e/2nd_digital_ocean_forum_save_the_data_banner_b06b659e8e.jpeg)



2️nd Digital Ocean Forum

The 8th webinar in the Iliad series, "Connecting ocean digital twins using federated system approaches in Iliad" will take place virtually on 7th June 2023 at 15:00 CET.

<a href="https://connect.groundstation.space/iliad-webinar-7-june" target="_blank"><button type="button" class="btn btn-primary">Register</button></a>

**About the Iliad Webinar Series**

The Iliad webinar series aim support the communication across different disciplines and to facilitate the co-design processes and engagement with key stakeholders, a series of webinars and trainings covering topics ranging from technical to economics and policy are offered to Iliad partners.

![unnamed.png](https://storage.googleapis.com/ocean-twin-cms-content/unnamed_3121393e8a/unnamed_3121393e8a.png)


Iliad Webinar Series - Connecting ocean digital twins using federated system approaches in Iliad

The Copernicus Marine 7th General Assembly will be held in Brussel (and online sessions will be provided) from 5th to 9th June 2023. 

Throughout this week, working groups consisting of partners and contractors will come together to develop strategies for the upcoming years.

##### Days 1 & 2: plenary sessions - Hybrid session open to the public.

The first two days of the event will consist of plenary sessions:

##### Day 1: 5 June
- It will focus on presenting the main achievements accomplished in 2022 and the roadmap for the upcoming years.
- Another session will cover innovation activities including the Research & Development programme linked with Horizon Europe and the User Engagement program.
- Additionally, 2023 will focus on the Coastal and Arctics thematic hubs, providing an opportunity to present its strategy and showcase the inputs given by member states.
- From 7 to 8:30 pm, as an introduction of the evening social event, high-level keynote presentations of the Misson Ocean, the Digital Twin Ocean and the Copernicus Marine Service will be held.

##### Day 2: 6 June
- It will be dedicated to the production centers where the Copernicus Marine European partners and contractors will present their accomplishments and future plans.
- The afternoon will focus on the community of marine data users, which comprises nearly 50 000 users. This will be an opportunity to present the improvements in terms of user tools and services, as well as provide a platform to user testimonies. This will showcase how the Copernicus Marine data portfolio is utilised to develop applications and projects in numerous sectors of the Blue Economy, with a particular focus on policy makers in a time of Climate change  where sound decisions for the future of the Ocean are critical.

##### Days 3 to 5 – Thematic working groups - Contractors only

From 7th to 9th June, partners and contractors will convene to discuss various topics related to marine data processing with a strong commitment to enhancing the Copernicus Marine offer and provide subscribers with the latest  Ocean Data’ portfolio.

Working groups:

- Service Evolution and Production Centers to analyse the improvements and highlight current R&D projects.
- Champion User Advisory Group
- Product Quality
- Marine Data Store
- Technical Working Group
- Coastal Working Group
- Bio Data Assimilation
- Ensemble Approach
- Interfaces between Thematic Data Assembly Centers (TACs) and Monitoring & Forecasting Centers.

You can register for the online event [here](https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_2lElUf7rR0mQJIuYyJtr7w#/registration).

[Plenary Session Agenda](https://marine.copernicus.eu/sites/default/files/media/pdf/2023-04/detailed-agenda-CMEMS-GA-v7.pdf)

[High Level Event Agenda](https://marine.copernicus.eu/sites/default/files/media/pdf/2023-06/Agenda-High-level-event-Copernicus-Marine-GA-2023.pdf)

![20230310_CMEMS_GA_SaveTheDate_1200x1200.jpg](https://storage.googleapis.com/ocean-twin-cms-content/20230310_CMEMS_GA_Save_The_Date_1200x1200_3d9ea81fa1/20230310_CMEMS_GA_Save_The_Date_1200x1200_3d9ea81fa1.jpg)


Copernicus Marine 7th General Assembly

Sponsored by <a href="https://ieeeoes.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">IEEE Oceanic Engineering Society</a> and <a href="https://www.mtsociety.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the Marine Technology Society</a>, <a href="https://limerick23.oceansconference.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">OCEANS 2023</a> will take place in Limerick, Ireland between 5th - 8th June 2023. This annual event will focus on gathering industry experts, global thought leaders, and engineers to discuss new research and innovation in relation to marine technology, engineering, science, education, and research.

The aim of the meeting is for experts to exchange knowledge on the topics of science, engineering, and technology in the context of research, operations, and development related to all aquatic environments. A wide range of professionals from various fields will contribute their knowledge through networking opportunities and sessions, with the aim of collaborating in the development of addressing environmental concerns and policies affecting marine technology and engineering.

There will be a particular emphasis on sensing, exploring, understanding, using, developing, and responsibly managing natural resources. This will be discussed within the context of the development of innovative capabilities and technologies through prototypes, testing and operational systems.

<p><a href="https://limerick23.oceansconference.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><button class="btn btn-primary" type="button">More information</button></a> <a href="https://limerick23.oceansconference.org/contact-us/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><button class="btn btn-primary" type="button">Register here</button></a></p>

![Oceans-limerick-event-image-size.png](https://storage.googleapis.com/ocean-twin-cms-content/Oceans_limerick_event_image_size_9b47eca531/Oceans_limerick_event_image_size_9b47eca531.png)


Events

Stay up to date with forthcoming events and important dates in the Iliad project, towards a Digital Twin of the Ocean.

Iliad Hackathon

The Iliad Digital Twins of the Ocean Summer School 2023

2023 Fisheries Science Seminar - Citizen Science

FOSS4G 2023

2️nd Digital Ocean Forum

Iliad Webinar Series - Connecting ocean digital twins using federated system approaches in Iliad

Copernicus Marine 7th General Assembly

OCEANS 2023 Limerick

Wind Energy

Renewable Energy from the Ocean: Currents, Waves & Floating Solar

Fisheries & Aquaculture

Marine Traffic & Harbour Safety

Pollution

Met Ocean Data: Hind, Now & Forecasts

Biodiversity Assessments & Monitoring

Insurance for Marine & Maritime Activities