The project
Project details
TECMARECO aims to strengthen the protection of marine ecosystems and reduce plastic waste pollution in the cross-border area between Sicily and Malta. The project seeks to harmonise monitoring activities, improve knowledge of the sources and accumulation areas of microplastics, and develop innovative early detection tools. A further objective is to promote the recycling and upcycling of collected waste, transforming it into new resources in line with the principles of the circular economy.
- Harmonisation of marine litter monitoring systems between Sicily and Malta.
- Sampling and analysis of marine litter, with particular attention to microplastics.
- Development of a cross-border map of marine litter sources and accumulation areas.
- Analysis of the concentration, composition and physicochemical characteristics of microplastics.
- Analysis of the presence of pathogens and antimicrobial resistance, as well as potential health risks.
- Development of Lagrangian models foru microplastic dispersion and accumulation.
- Real-time development and adaptation of the Early Detection System – EDS.
- Definition and testing of EDS operational scenarios to support decision-making.
- Creation of the TecMAReco Pilot Incubator Hub, dedicated to recycling and upcycling.
- Testing of new recycled materials, including materials for use in asphalt mixtures.
- Development of a technical protocol for the use of materials derived from recovered microplastics.
- Organisation of knowledge-transfer meetings with local stakeholders.
- Involvement of stakeholders in the evaluation, preview and testing of the solutions.
- Definition of a cross-border strategy to increase the maturity and applicability of the solutions developed.
The project will produce a cross-border map of plastic waste sources and accumulation areas, an Early Detection System – EDS model, and related forecasting scenarios. It will also establish the TecMAReco Pilot Incubator Hub, where tests on the effects of microplastics and recycling and upcycling trials will be conducted. The outputs will also include a technical protocol for new materials, including materials intended for asphalt mixtures, and a TECMARECO cross-border strategy.
TECMARECO will improve the capacity to identify and predict microplastic accumulation, enhance knowledge of their effects on marine species and habitats, and provide authorities and stakeholders with new decision-support tools. The solutions developed will be tested and may be adopted or further enhanced by interested organisations, while the joint strategy will support the planning of coordinated prevention and mitigation measures.
The project will help reduce the time between observation, warning and intervention, making measures to tackle marine pollution more effective. The use of data and forecasting models will support the protection of biodiversity, protected ecosystems, and the economic and tourism activities of coastal areas. Transforming plastic waste into new materials may also generate sustainable circular solutions and new economic opportunities in the medium and long term.
Marine litter and microplastics move through the waters of Sicily and Malta, crossing administrative boundaries and making a joint response essential. Cooperation enables the sharing of data, protocols, technologies and expertise, the implementation of harmonised monitoring, and the development of models covering the entire cross-border marine area. This common approach improves the effectiveness of early warning, the planning of mitigation measures, and the transfer of solutions among territories, institutions and communities.
TECMARECO brings together eight Italian and Maltese partners with complementary expertise in marine research, environmental monitoring, modelling, detection technologies and the circular economy. This cooperation combines scientific knowledge, technological capabilities and local experience to develop joint solutions to tackle marine pollution in the area between Sicily and Malta.
- Lead Partner – Partner 1: Anton Dohrn Zoological Station (SZN)
- Partner 2: University of Malta (UM)
- Partner 3: University of Palermo (UNIPA)
- Partner 4: Regional Agency for Environmental Protection of Sicily (ARPA Sicilia)
- Partner 5: University of Catania (UNICT)
- Partner 6: South Side S.r.l. (SouthSide)
- Partner 7: Zibel
- Partner 8: Sicilian Region – Regional Department of Agriculture, Rural Development and Fisheries (DPM)
Maria Cristina Mangano
mariacristina.mangano@szn.it
Partners’ Institutional Websites:
