The jointly staged ‘UK-IMON International Workshop on New Monitoring Technologies: A Workshop to Prioritise Future Investment’, being held Tuesday 10 - Thursday 12 September 2013 and organised by UK-IMON (UK Integrated Marine Observing Network) and the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST) has a clear outcome in mind.

The last few years have seen a revolution in the range of platforms and sensors used for observing the marine environment. From autonomous gliders that can cross ocean basins to robotic systems capable of making in situ molecular measurements of microbes, there has been a step change in our ability to observe our seas and oceans.

At the same time the drivers for collecting a wider range of marine data at ever higher spatial and temporal resolution in UK waters are increasing.

“We are aiming to produce a list of priorities for future national or European investment, the Defra supported workshop aims to identify those technologies that can increase the efficiency and reduce the cost of (UK) marine monitoring over the next 5–10 years,” explains Dr Bev MacKenzie. IMarEST’s Senior Technical Manager, one of the members of a strong organising committee. “This is an ideal opportunity for the marine community to influence UK Government spend in the right areas. There are presentation opportunities open to organisations eager to share their thoughts, in addition to invited presentations from national and international experts, and interactive breakout sessions.”

Tags: IMarEST