The Objective of the BEAP-MAR Project
BEAP-MAR aims to valorise non-traditionally commercially exploited groups of marine organisms (new strains of microalgae and macroalgae, marine fungi and sponges), resulting in the development of new, innovative compounds (mainly biomolecules) and sustainable high-added-value products. These will be implemented through industrial-scale methodologies, which organisations will adopt in the AA to improve their ability to design new business models and exploit untapped resources of the AA.
Project Duration
1st January 2024 – 31st December 2026 (36 months)
Project Goals
1
Increase knowledge on marine organisms inhabiting the AA, precisely new strains of micro and macroalgae, marine fungi and sponges, creating long-term opportunities and cooperation schemes with the Quadruple Helix innovation actors (WP 1 & 4).
2
Promote transnational cooperation between AA knowledge centres for developing new methodologies that support the creation of new products from bioactive compounds extracted from non-traditionally commercially exploited marine organisms (WP 2).
3
Reinforce AA competitiveness by defining new business models, fostering relationships between enterprises (especially SMEs), Research Centres and Universities and developing new products in the Blue Bioeconomy sector through Product Tests pilots (WP3).
Who are the Project Partners?
The partnership consists of 8 partners from 6 Regions including 3 Universities, 2 Higher Research Centres, 2 National/Local Agency and 1 Business Innovation Centre:
Addressing Challenges in the Blue Bioeconomy with BEAP-MAR
BEAP-MAR is dedicated to increasing our understanding of marine organisms and finding new ways to utilize them in different industries. Through partnerships and innovative research, we aim to drive the growth of the Blue Bioeconomy.
Team Members
Luis Botana
Universidade de Santiago de Compostela
Spain
Denis Servent
French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission
France
Alison McGonagle
WestBIC
Ireland
Maria de Lurdes Cristiano
University of Algarve
Portugal
Olivier Thomas
University of Galway
Ireland
Carmen Salinero Corral
Estación Fitopatolóxica Areeiro, Diputación de Pontevedra
Spain
Olga Aguín Casal
Estación Fitopatolóxica Areeiro, Diputación de Pontevedra
Spain
Valérie Fessard
French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety
France
Rui Pedrosa
Instituto Politécnico de Leiria
Portugal
Your Questions Answered
The European Commission defines the Blue Economy as & "all economic activities related to oceans, seas and coasts". Although the concept is relatively new, it comprises several "established sectors" such as marine living and non-living resources, marine renewable energy, port activities, shipbuilding and repair, maritime transport and coastal tourism. In addition to these, several emerging and innovative sectors exist. One is the Blue Bioeconomy and Biotechnology sector, which includes non traditionally commercially exploited marine organisms such as new algal strains (micro and macro), marine fungi and sponges.
They can be used to generate applications or products in different sectors and industries such as Human Food, Animal Feed, Cosmetics & Well-being, Food supplement & Nutraceuticals, Pharmaceuticals & Health and more!
BEAP-MAR has 5 Associated Partners from 3 Member States, whose role in the project will be to provide a better insight into product development and its viability (GreenCoLAB, Portugal and Université Paris Cité, France), facilitate contacts with stakeholders (Business Association of the Leiria Region, Portugal and Valorial Europe, France), guide the improvement of policies, programmes and strategies (Galician Innovation Agency, Spain).
The INTERREG Atlantic Area Programme areas gives support to transnational cooperation projects in 36 Atlantic regions from five countries: France, Ireland, Portugal, Spain and the United Kingdom. In the context of BEAP-MAR, the 8 partners are from 6 Regions of the 4 AA Member States (5 AA Regions and 1 Outside AA Region).
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