Periodic Reporting for period 2 - STRAITS (Strategic Infrastructure for improved animal Tracking in European Seas)
Berichtszeitraum: 2024-01-01 bis 2025-06-30
In order to protect and manage marine species and habitats, there is an immediate need for the creation of robust evidence-based methods and integrated platforms. Therefore, there is a need to undertake marine research projects that are developed and implemented collaboratively, strategically, and at a sufficient scale. Animal tracking is the study of animal movements across various spatiotemporal scales (local, regional, continental, global; minutes to decades). Although animal tracking is not a new field of research, only recently have these electronic technologies necessary to follow marine animal movements across larger and longer scales have only recently become widely available. Strategic Infrastructure for improved animal Tracking in European Seas (STRAITS) will leverage ongoing acoustic tracking projects across the four corners of Europe (i.e. North Channel, Danish Straits, Straits of Gibraltar and the Bosporus/Dardanelles) by expanding efforts to connect initiatives on species-based biodiversity management while developing data management plans and networking channels to deliver data to national and international governing bodies. Coordinating aquatic animal tracking and environmental observation efforts at a scale that will be usable to make progress on international marine management and planning, is a major step towards an operational European Tracking Network (ETN) that contributes to major European biodiversity initiatives, conservation, and policy.
During the second reporting period (1 January 2024 – 30 June 2025), STRAITS advanced the deployment and operation of its pan-European tracking infrastructure. All four inter-regional acoustic arrays (Danish Straits, Irish SeaMonitor, Turkish Straits, Gibraltar) were fully operational, with multiple servicing missions and successful data harvests. Tagging campaigns at each site expanded species and spatial coverage, exceeding expectations in receiver functionality and data capture.
Systematic range testing (D3.3) optimised receiver placement and revealed how environmental conditions affect detection, ensuring improved performance across sites. Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM) devices were integrated into all arrays, complemented by pilot environmental sensors in Türkiye, extending monitoring to marine mammals and underwater noise.
Despite challenges—including strong currents, biofouling, and cross-border permitting—adaptive planning and close partner coordination enabled continued progress. Data management protocols were reinforced through ETN, with updated plans and inventories ensuring FAIR compliance (D4.1 D4.2). Collectively, these outcomes mark critical milestones in building a robust European infrastructure for aquatic animal tracking.
Systematic range testing (D3.3) optimised receiver placement and revealed how environmental conditions affect detection, ensuring improved performance across sites. Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM) devices were integrated into all arrays, complemented by pilot environmental sensors in Türkiye, extending monitoring to marine mammals and underwater noise.
Despite challenges—including strong currents, biofouling, and cross-border permitting—adaptive planning and close partner coordination enabled continued progress. Data management protocols were reinforced through ETN, with updated plans and inventories ensuring FAIR compliance (D4.1 D4.2). Collectively, these outcomes mark critical milestones in building a robust European infrastructure for aquatic animal tracking.
STRAITS delivers several advances beyond existing practice:
Integrated transnational infrastructure: Europe’s first interoperable acoustic receiver lines at strategic marine gateways, enabling coordinated tracking of aquatic animals across borders. All arrays open protocol enabled, ensuring detections from a variety of tags and manufactures equipment.
Multi-sensor monitoring: Coupling animal telemetry with PAM and environmental sensors creates a unique multi-use platform for biodiversity and noise monitoring.
Standardised, scalable protocols: New deployment and range-testing guidelines (D3.1 D3.3) ensure reproducibility and resilience in diverse marine settings.
Harmonised data systems: The consortium has strengthened ETN integration, ensuring open access and reuse under FAIR principles.
These advances support policy, conservation and industry by improving monitoring of migratory species, invasive taxa and climate-sensitive populations. STRAITS infrastructure contributes to evidence-based management under the MSFD, EU Biodiversity Strategy, and CFP, while enhancing Europe’s global role in marine observation.
Further uptake requires:
1. Sustained investment to secure long-term operation;
2. Harmonised permitting and governance for cross-border deployments;
3. Targeted training and demonstrations to broaden use;
4. Integration of STRAITS into permanent European research infrastructures (e.g. LifeWatch, EMODnet).
Importantly, STRAITS has secured Horizon Results Booster support, which will strengthen exploitation strategies, refine user engagement, and reinforce pathways for long-term sustainability and uptake by policy bodies.
Integrated transnational infrastructure: Europe’s first interoperable acoustic receiver lines at strategic marine gateways, enabling coordinated tracking of aquatic animals across borders. All arrays open protocol enabled, ensuring detections from a variety of tags and manufactures equipment.
Multi-sensor monitoring: Coupling animal telemetry with PAM and environmental sensors creates a unique multi-use platform for biodiversity and noise monitoring.
Standardised, scalable protocols: New deployment and range-testing guidelines (D3.1 D3.3) ensure reproducibility and resilience in diverse marine settings.
Harmonised data systems: The consortium has strengthened ETN integration, ensuring open access and reuse under FAIR principles.
These advances support policy, conservation and industry by improving monitoring of migratory species, invasive taxa and climate-sensitive populations. STRAITS infrastructure contributes to evidence-based management under the MSFD, EU Biodiversity Strategy, and CFP, while enhancing Europe’s global role in marine observation.
Further uptake requires:
1. Sustained investment to secure long-term operation;
2. Harmonised permitting and governance for cross-border deployments;
3. Targeted training and demonstrations to broaden use;
4. Integration of STRAITS into permanent European research infrastructures (e.g. LifeWatch, EMODnet).
Importantly, STRAITS has secured Horizon Results Booster support, which will strengthen exploitation strategies, refine user engagement, and reinforce pathways for long-term sustainability and uptake by policy bodies.