The EU-funded ANERIS project is transforming how we observe marine biodiversity, pioneering a new field called Operational Marine Biology (OMB) — a real-time, technology-driven approach to tracking life in the ocean.
🔹 What makes ANERIS unique?
It combines powerful tools:
Genomics – analyzing environmental DNA from water samples
Visual monitoring – using photos and videos of marine organisms
Citizen science – engaging divers and ocean lovers to contribute sightings
📍 In a pilot along the Catalonian coast, over 250,000 verified observations have already been collected via the MINKA platform and in collaboration with FECDAS (Catalan Federation of Underwater Activities).
These insights are helping to:
Create high-resolution habitat maps
Train AI systems to identify marine species
Track changes in ocean life over time
🌊 ANERIS connects science, technology, and the public, offering a powerful new way to care for our oceans — a step toward balance, knowledge, and long-term ocean health.