We are pleased to announce that the MIICT has been awarded funding under Xjenza Malta’s Research Networking Scheme (RNS) 2024 Call 2 for the Marine Assessment and Remote Environmental NETworking for plastic detection (MARENET) project. This initiative aims to strengthen and expand research capabilities in the detection and monitoring of marine plastic pollution by leveraging advanced remote sensing and artificial intelligence (AI) techniques.

Driving Innovation for Cleaner Oceans

MARENET builds on, and further develops, the foundations laid by the ongoing Project VISTA, which targets large-scale monitoring of marine litter using satellite-based methods. MARENET’s principal innovation lies in its integration of AI-driven analysis with hyperspectral, Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), Short-Wavelength Infrared (SWIR), and Shortwave Active Lidar (SAL) data. This cutting-edge approach will allow the consortium to refine detection algorithms that identify and track the accumulation of plastics in our oceans with unprecedented accuracy.

Key technological milestones of MARENET include:

1. Enhanced AI-Driven Models – Using machine learning and deep learning frameworks to detect and characterise plastic debris based on unique spectral signatures and surface roughness changes on ocean surfaces.

2. Multi-Sensor Data Fusion – Integrating hyperspectral, SAR, SWIR and SAL imaging to improve spatial resolution and reduce uncertainties in identifying plastic pollutants.

3. Scalability and Modular Architecture – Building on the technical achievements of Project VISTA to create an extensible model for future applications, including microplastic and nanoplastic monitoring.

Strategic International Partnerships

The MARENET consortium, made up of Maltese and Italian organisations, reflects a strategic collaboration between leading private, public, and NGO stakeholders who bring complementary expertise to the venture.

Through mobility actions, knowledge exchange, and joint development of research methodologies, MARENET partners aim to consolidate an interdisciplinary platform that not only addresses current marine pollution challenges but also scales to future innovations in marine environmental sustainability.

A Milestone for Marine Sustainability

Addressing the global issue of marine plastic pollution which jeopardises marine ecosystems, public health, and economic vitality, demands innovative and transnational solutions. By coupling satellite-based surveillance with novel AI algorithms, MARENET endeavours to:

• Expand Knowledge Frontiers – Publishing peer-reviewed articles to disseminate cutting-edge research in remote sensing and AI-driven environmental protection;

• Pursue Further Funding – Laying the groundwork for subsequent proposals to agencies including Horizon Europe and PRIMA, with the aim of deepening and diversifying the project’s scientific and societal impact;

• Bridge Science and Policy – Aligning MARENET’s technological advancements with the mission to safeguard the Mediterranean region and to engage with local and international stakeholders in forging sustainable marine strategies.

Future Directions and Collaboration

In line with European Union directives aimed at preserving marine health and promoting sustainable growth, the MARENET consortium intends to explore additional research directions, including:

• Microplastic Degradation – Investigating environmentally-safe approaches to break down smaller plastic debris that harm the oceanic food chain into non-harmful chemicals and components;

• Aerospace Applications – Working closely with MARENET partners to expand the repertoire of data and platforms used for earth observation, fostering synergy between marine research and aerospace development;

• Policy Integration – Leveraging existing networks to enhance the project’s advocacy component, ensuring that research outputs readily translate into actionable policies at the Mediterranean-wide level;

• Conferences and Workshops – Showcasing research progress and findings at major events such as the Mediterranean Aerospace Matching (MAM) 2025, complemented by local workshops to engage policy-makers, NGOs, and academia;

• Joint Publications – A collaborative publication detailing our integrated satellite and AI approach for plastic detection in marine environments, to be submitted to high-impact international journals in the realms of remote sensing and marine conservation;

• Knowledge-Sharing Sessions – Structured to align advanced research with pragmatic, scalable solutions that encourage future applications in industry, governance, and scientific circles.

For further updates on the MARENET initiative, including its forthcoming engagement and dissemination activities, please continue to visit this website. We look forward to collaborating with interested parties and sharing our progress towards a cleaner, more sustainable marine environment.