🌊 A giant “scar” at the bottom of the Atlantic helps tell the story of our planet!

King's Trough is a huge underwater structure, over 500 km long, similar to a deep valley flanked by imposing seamounts. It is located about 300 km east of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge and northeast of the Azores Archipelago.

Its origin is still unknown, but a new scientific study published in the journal G3 – Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems, co-authored by EMEPC geologist Luísa Pinto Ribeiro, combines detailed cartography of the seabed with analyses of volcanic rocks collected at the site and the determination of the age of these rocks, allowing us to begin to unravel the mystery of its origin.

🔎 Key points of the research:

▪️ King's Trough was formed between 37 and 20 million years ago, when this region temporarily functioned as a boundary between tectonic plates.

▪️ This structure was formed by the oblique extension of a relatively thick oceanic crust. 

▪️ The associated volcanism has a chemical signature similar to that of the Azores, showing a common origin from the same source in the Earth's mantle.

📌 Why is this important?

Studies such as this:

•    deepen our understanding of the geological evolution of the underwater relief off the Portuguese coast, complementing existing knowledge on land;

•    strengthen the scientific basis used to characterize the seabed; and

•    contribute to a more solid understanding of areas of national interest.

Studies on the seabed are fundamental not only for the acquisition of scientific knowledge, but also to support strategic decisions related to Portugal's sea. 🌍

Learn more about this study

The Council of Ministers, meeting on December 17, 2025, at the National Palace of Sintra, approved a Resolution of the Council of Ministers that adapts and extends the mandate of the Portuguese Task Group for the Extension of the Continental Shelf (EMEPC) until December 31, 2029. 

The current mandate expires at the end of this year, and it is imperative to continue efforts to recognize Portugal's exclusive and inherent sovereign rights over its entire continental shelf beyond 200 miles, in line with the provisions of the Program of the XXV Constitutional Government.

#Portugal #Sea #PortugalIsSea #ContinentalShelf #PEPC #EMEPC #MaritimePolicy #MaritimeSovereignty #Ocean #Science #ROVLuso #ScientificResearch #ScientificKnowledge #CouncilOfMinisters #GovernmentOfPortugal #PublicPolicies # NationalStrategy #BlueEconomy #Sea2030

📣 Vice Admiral Carlos Ventura Soares, Head of the Task Force for the Extension of the Continental Shelf (EMEPC), participated on December 4 in the Sea Seminar, promoted by the Lisbon Geographical Society (SGL) and MARE-ULisboa.

The conference, under the theme “Task Group for the Extension of the Continental Shelf: status of the Portuguese submission to the United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf,” was part of the 6th cycle of conferences of the Sea Seminar, dedicated to “Strategy, Science, and Sustainability.” The Vice Admiral's speech highlighted the progress made by the Portuguese project and the strategic importance of research and sustainable management of the deep sea.

#SeminárioDoMar #SGL #MAREULisboa #EMEPC #PEPC #Sustentabilidade #MarDePortugal #Portugalémar

As part of the coordination of the extension of the continental shelf in the area of common interest west of Galicia, Portugal and Spain held a meeting on November 20 at the Mission Structure for the Extension of the Continental Shelf (EMEPC) in Paço de Arcos.

The meeting brought together the Portuguese delegation—composed of representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the EMEPC—and the Spanish delegation, led by the President of the Commission on Boundaries with France, Portugal, and Andorra and composed of members of the Geological and Mining Institute and the Spanish Embassy in Lisbon.

The EMEPC and its Spanish counterpart are responsible for their respective continental shelf extension projects and for technical and scientific interaction with the Subcommissions of the United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf, which are responsible for analyzing the submissions presented by the two countries.

The purpose of the meeting was to take stock of the assessment of the Portuguese and Spanish submissions in the area of common interest, as well as to promote the exchange of experiences and good practices between the two delegations in the development of the projects.

Thanks to this cooperation, it was possible to present and coordinate a single technical and scientific solution, with benefits for Portugal and Spain, reinforcing the spirit of collaboration and the effectiveness of joint work.

#EMEPC #PEPC #portugal #portugalémar #espanha

The 12th Portuguese Conference on Coastal and Port Engineering, organized by PIANC – Portuguese delegation, was held in Figueira da Foz on November 6 and 7.

PIANC, “The World Association for Waterborne Transport Infrastructure,” is an international association, subsidized by the governments of 43 countries, which brings together delegates from those governments, individual members, and collective members (private companies, port administrations, companies, and research laboratories).

Its objective is to promote the conditions for the operation and safety of inland and maritime navigation, encouraging progress in the design, construction, management, maintenance, and operation of waterways, ports, and their protective structures, always bearing in mind environmental issues. Facilities for fishing and nautical recreation activities are also part of PIANC's field of action.

Vice Admiral Carlos Ventura Soares, Head of the Mission Structure for the Extension of the Continental Shelf (EMEPC), was invited to give the opening speech at the inaugural session of the Conference. Before an audience of around 200 people, mainly coastal and port engineers, Admiral Ventura Soares gave a lecture entitled "The Extension of the Portuguese Continental Shelf: a prospective view," elaborated on the mission of EMEPC and conveyed the latest developments regarding the Portuguese submission to the United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf.

The program “Discovering ROVs” premiered, produced as part of the ROV4ALL Project in which EMEPC participated. The program introduces viewers to the fascinating world of remotely operated vehicles that help us learn about the oceans! Watch the documentary: https://www.rtp.pt/programa/tv/p48097

Portuguese Task Group for the Extension of the Continental Shelf (EMEPC) carried out, from June 22 to August 21, a new hydrographic campaign in the Azores in collaboration with the Portuguese Navy under the cooperation protocol between EMEPC and the Hydrographic Institute.

See more

The Portuguese Task Group for the Extension of the Continental Shelf (EMEPC) was visited by the Secretary of State for Fisheries and the Sea, Salvador Malheiro.

The Secretary of State took part in a meeting with the head of EMEPC, Vice-Admiral Ventura Soares, and his deputy and scientific coordinator, Commodore Fernando Artilheiro, where he had the opportunity to learn more about the work carried out by EMEPC, its projects and the main challenges it faces. Highlights included the Extension of the Continental Shelf Project and the ROV Luso. 

After meeting the work team, the Secretary of State also had the opportunity to visit the hangar that houses the Luso ROV. 

#EMEPC #Mar #fisheries #SalvadorMalheiro #secretaryofstate

#PEPC #rovluso #portugalémar #mardeportugal

EMEPC would like to inform that registration is now open for the 3rd edition of the OTGA course: The change we need for the ocean we want - Ocean literacy with schools 2025

This 25-hour online course is open to teachers of all levels of education, pre-school teachers and non-formal educators from all Portuguese-speaking countries (course in Portuguese).

The course is accredited by the Conselho Científico-Pedagógico da Formação Contínua (CCPFC) for Portuguese teachers.

Registration is open until March 14, and the course will run from March 31 to May 2.

For access to all the information and registration:

https://oceanexpert.org/event/4716

This course is endorsed by @UN Ocean Decade

#emepc

As part of the TRIDENT project, the head of EMEPC, Vice Admiral Carlos Ventura Soares and Dr Teresa Rafael visited Porto on 18 November 2024 to meet with the team from the Institute for Systems and Computer Engineering, Technology and Science (INESC-TEC). INESC-TEC is the coordinator of this €16M project, co-financed by the European Union's Horizon Europe programme, which includes 10 countries and 25 entities, with which EMEPC has been collaborating. The aim of this initiative is to develop technological solutions for assessing the environmental impacts of seabed prospecting activities.

The meeting discussed how to integrate EMEPC as an official partner in this project, as well as other possible future collaborations with a view to exchanging knowledge and experience between the institutions.

In the afternoon there was a guided tour of INESC-TEC's facilities, where it was possible to see the innovative technological solutions that the institute has been developing for deep sea research.

Science and Technology Week 2024 is just around the corner!

EMEPC has organised an open afternoon. Come and visit us, sign up!

𝐃𝐢𝐚 𝟐𝟏 𝐝𝐞 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐫𝐨 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒 à𝐬 𝟏𝟓:𝟎𝟎 𝐞𝐦 𝐏𝐚ç𝐨 𝐝𝐞 𝐀𝐫𝐜𝐨𝐬.

On this open afternoon, come and see our facilities, talk to us, learn about the Extension Project and visit the Luso ROV.

We know more about the surface of the Moon than the bottom of the sea, and only very recently have we been able to produce technological equipment and thus look at the bottom of the sea. Paço de Arcos, in the municipality of Oeiras, is home to the Mission Structure for the Extension of Portugal's Continental Shelf (EMEPC), the organisation that owns the Luso ROV, the remotely operated robot that dives to a depth of 6000m! And it allows scientists to observe a specific location on the bottom of the Portuguese Sea, as well as take samples. The Portuguese Sea is on average 2500 metres deep and 6000 metres deep at its deepest point.

https://www.cienciaviva.pt/semanact/2024/eventos.php?accao=showactivities&id_activity=6780

More information and registration: https://forms.gle/fu98Dh5nBjfBkSe59

The training programme is based on an interdisciplinary curriculum that integrates key areas of ocean governance, marine conservation, the sustainable blue economy and the continental shelf regime. The programme also allows for networking between participants, facilitating international cooperation and the exchange of information between countries, as well as the sharing of information through the exchange of experiences with Portuguese and international experts.

By empowering these leaders, the programme aims to:

- Improve ocean-related decision-making in developing economies

- Promote more effective policies for the protection and sustainable use of marine resources

- Strengthen international co-operation on ocean issues

This programme represents a significant effort to develop essential skills and knowledge to tackle global ocean challenges, focusing especially on leaders from developing countries, equipping them with the knowledge they need to be effective decision-makers in ocean policy at national and international level.

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

EMEPC was present at the Esri Portugal User Meeting 2024. The EUE Meeting is an opportunity to share experiences between users of Geographic Information Systems, a way to open horizons, establish contacts and be inspired by projects, ideas and people who challenge us to go further.

EMEPC had the opportunity to make contact with Dawn Wright, PhD, chief scientist at ESRI and Key note speaker at the conference, with whom we exchanged ideas for future collaborations regarding the study of Portugal's deep sea. Her talk Our Ocean, Our Future was inspiring.

#emepc #pepc #projetodeextensão #rovluso #mardeportugal #economia #Compromissocomofuturo #ciência #marprofundo #tecnologia #ODS14 #EUE2024

This Tuesday, EMEPC was visited by the Secretary of State for the Sea, Lídia Bulcão, for the swearing in of new members of the Mission Structure.

Know more

#emepc #pepc #projetodeextensão #rovluso #mardeportugal #economia #TomadaDePosse #NovosComeços #CompromissocomPortugal #Compromissocomofuturo #ciência #marprofundo #tecnologia #ODS14

🦾 The #SOVA2024-Scientific Ocean Vehicles Alliance event took place on 19 and 20 September, and several of the main national and international players in the field of scientific underwater vehicles were present. It was the first time since it was set up (2020) by the Schmidt Ocean Institute that it was held outside the USA, which allowed other European groups to attend: #IMAR, #UTM-CSIC, #KTH(#SMaRC), #UniversityGothenburg and #INESCTEC(#CRAS).

Know more

EMEPC participates in this week kick-off meeting of the Trident project. The Trident project aims to develop monitoring systems for the marine environment, in order to protect it from the impacts that may be generated by exploration and exploitation activities in the deep sea. 

Funded with 16 million euros, of which about 12 million euros by the European Commission's Horizon Europe program, led by INESC TEC, the project brings together 26 institutions from 10 countries, five of which are Portuguese.

Attention Teachers and Non-Formal Educators:

This (online) course is for you! 📢

Aiming to enhance communication and teaching about the ocean by teachers and educators, this course, taught in Portuguese, goes beyond borders.

Because the Ocean needs all of us, it's time to learn more about how to be part of this change. 🌊

Full details about the course and the application form are available at https://oceanexpert.org/event/3797.

Applications are open until January 31, 2023. Hurry, because places are limited.

CIIMAR / CIMAR Associate Laboratory

Portuguese Task Group for the Extension of the Continental Shelf (EMEPC)

MARE - Center for Marine and Environmental Sciences

Unesco - Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission

International Oceanographic Data and Information Exchange (IODE)

The Council of Ministers determined on the 7th of December 2022 that the Portuguese Task Group for the Extension of the Continental Shelf has its mandate renewed until 31.12.2025. 

The EMEPC team thus continues its mission and objectives, namely in the interaction of the Portuguese delegation with the United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLPC) for the evaluation and defence of the national proposal for the extension of the continental shelf.

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)

The coordinator of the Extension of the Continental Shelf Project, Dr. Pedro Madureira, will participate in the DeepSea Minerals 2022 Congress to be held on 26 and 27 October in Bergen, Norway. On the 26th he will deliver the communication "The Area: Update on Licensing".

"Area" is the term used to designate the seabed and its subsoil beyond the limits of countries' national jurisdiction. The Area and its resources are the common heritage of humanity.

Find out more about the congress

EMEPC's geologist and coordinator of the Continental Shelf Extension Project, Pedro Madureira participates in the Workshop "For the promotion of the sustainable development of Africa's deep-seabed resources in support of Africa's blue economy" taking place in Nigeria from October 5 to 7. Today Pedro Madureira and presentations were held:

- "The 'reserved areas' mechanism: overview and practical implications.

- Area mineral resources and current state of marine mineral technology

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Biologist Monica Albuquerque from the Portuguese Task Group for the Extension of the Continental Shelf (EMEPC) was this year distinguished by the IPMA's GelAvista team with the Gold Medusa d'Ouro 2022 award for the records of observations of gelatinous organisms, which she already performs since 2018 in her spare time.

GelAvista is the program responsible for monitoring gelatinous organisms throughout the Portuguese coast, Azores and Madeira, launched in February 2016. It aims to involve the community in the development of science, thus bridging the lack of knowledge in Portugal about gelatinous organisms.

It gathers information about these animals, using the participation of citizens who frequent coastal areas - beaches, estuaries, rivers, marinas, and others - during their leisure activities (walking by the sea, diving, sailing, surfing, etc.) or their professional activities (for example, collecting in fishing nets).

You can learn more about the program and how to participate on its official website at https://gelavista.ipma.pt/.

One day you could also receive this distinction! Become a GelAvista observer and send us your sightings through our application. For any questions, please contact us at plancton@ipma.pt.

When it comes to work at sea, many still associate it with a traditionally male sector. The truth is that women's participation is increasingly larger and more important. 400 of them, including EMEPC women, have now joined together in a Platform to save the Ocean.

There are more than 400 women who assume, in a platform, the double objective of enhancing the value of women in the sea and sustainability. The group is quite diverse and includes researchers, scientists or biologists to surfers, fishermen, shellfish gatherers, divers, lawyers, teachers or doctors from north to south of the country, including the islands.

The project is looking for more entities that want to support it, so if you have a chance to support it please contact: geral@helpimages.org

Know More

#mulheresdomar #EMEPC #rovluso #mardeportugal #portugalémar #ministérioeconomiaemar

Last week, as part of the 2nd Environmental Sampling Course organized by Instituto Superior Técnico 25 students from IST visited the NI Mário Ruivo and the ROV Luso, already on board for the Oceanographic Campaign "Madeira-Tore Ridge"!

Learn more 

#portugalémar #EMEPC #PEPC #mardeportugal #ipma #ministerioeconomiaemar #rovluso

The Council of the International Seabed Authority (ISA), based in Kingston, Jamaica, elected Dr. Luísa Pinto Ribeiro, geologist and member of the team of the Portuguese Task Group for the Extension of the Continental Shelf (EMEPC), to the Technical and Legal Commission of the ISA, reinforcing Portugal's commitment to the Ocean affairs both nationally and internationally.

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The X Symposium on the Atlantic Iberian Margin, MIA 2022, will take place in Bilbao from 7 to 9 July. The aim of this Symposium, organized by the University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, is the presentation of multidisciplinary scientific papers in the field of marine sciences. EMEPC is present in this symposium. In the next days follow and get to know the news about our work!

#ministeriodaeconomiaemar #mia #EMEPC #PEPCc #iatlantic #explosea2 #rovluso

Detail program: https://www.ehu.eus/documents/32930484/37421183/Programa_detallado_MIA2022.pdf/0870f0cd-d6e6-edac-c459-56c629831ffe?t=1656496547731

In the week that the 2nd United Nations Oceans Conference took place in Lisbon, we held the colloquium "The Extension of the Portuguese Continental Shelf" in the Foreign Affairs and Portuguese Communities Commission in the Portuguese Parliament. 

The EMEPC team led by Isabel Botelho Leal, the adjunct Pedro Madureira and the researchers Luísa Pinto Ribeiro, Maria Simões and Frederico Dias presented a global framework of the Extension of the Portuguese Continental Shelf Project, explained how the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf works as well as the current situation of the Portuguese Submission and the future opportunities and challenges.

Watch or review the session here

Image Gallery

Our neighbours from ENIDH Escola Superior Náutica accompanied by a group of researchers from NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology and USN - Southeastern University of Norway visited EMEPC where they had the opportunity to see the Rov Luso in Operation.

More information HERE

🌊 We celebrated the World Ocean Day by participating in the Rise Up initiative discussion session, which took place at the Lisbon Oceanarium.

More than 20,000 students voted on their priorities for the protection of the Ocean and yesterday concrete actions were discussed to compile into a letter of commitment that will be delivered at the plenary session of the United Nations Oceans Conference taking place in Lisbon at the end of the month.

Several Blue Schools were very well represented today by their students in this session: AE Nazaré, AE João da Rosa, ES D. Manuel Martins, AE Ferreira de Castro, AE Gil Eanes, CED Nossa Sra. da Conceição, EB Mestre Arnaldo Louro de Almeida, EB Geraldes and EB da Prageira.

The students participated in discussion groups with relevant moderators: the Minister of Education, João Costa; the Head of the Mission Structure for the Extension of the Continental Platform (EMEPC), Isabel Botelho Leal; the CEO of the Blue Ocean Foundation, Tiago Pitta e Cunha; the Councillor for Education of Mafra City Council, António Felgueiras; the Executive Director of Ciência Viva, Ana Noronha; the Ocean Leader and bodyboard athlete, Joana Schenker; and the Home Study Coordinator, Cláudia Torres.

🌊 This was an initiative of the Directorate-General for Education, Blue Ocean Foundation, Study at Home, Network of Live Science Clubs at School and Blue School, where we gave a voice to the youngest to vote and discuss the priorities and concrete actions for the defence of the Ocean.

#RiseUp4theOcean #BlueSchool #LiterateOcean #Ocean #Youth #Youth #Schools #StudyatHome #Voting #UNOceanConference #RiseUp

More information HERE

We received at EMEPC the Minister of Economy and Sea, António Costa Silva and the Secretary of State for the Sea, José Maria Costa, on a working visit to our facilities. During the visit a brief conversation was held regarding the Continental Shelf Extension Project, as well as a demonstration of the Luso ROV in Operation, in order to show the potential of the equipment. 

Full news Here

The Imirabilis2 campaign is rocking! We are in ROV Planet Magazine!

https://issuu.com/marbisemepc/docs/rov_planet_imirabilis

The iMirabilis2 Campaign will explore the relatively unknown deep-sea ecosystems around the Cape Verde Islands in the Atlantic Ocean. The first stage of the expedition will dedicate one week to the investigation of the seabed geology along the Azores-Biscay Rise. This first part of the expedition is led by EMEPC - Portuguese Task Group for the Extension of the Continental Shelf and involves a large team of scientists from different areas and specialties.

Meet the team!

In July-August 2021, the iMirabilis2 expedition will explore the relatively unknown deep-sea ecosystems around the Cabo Verde islands in the Atlantic Ocean. Using state-of-theart technology and cutting-edge survey techniques, the international team of scientists aboard the Spanish research vessel Sarmiento de Gamboa aim to gather information that will help shed new light on the health and resilience of ecosystems across the Atlantic Ocean. 

Read the Press release

Expedition website

After all the care and restrictions that the pandemic season requires, we are once again ready to embark on the iMirabilis2 campaign of the iatlantic.eu Project.

Departing from Vigo, Galicia on July 23, the first part of the expedition runs until July 30 and is led by EMEPC. For a week we will be dedicated to researching the geology, habitats and ecosystems of the deep sea along the Azores-Biscay elevation, a 3000m high linear ridge located approximately 700 km west of the coast of the Iberian Peninsula.

While the team of scientists is still in quarantine, the ROV Pilots team embarked today on the Ship Sarmiento de Gamboa where it proceeds to install the ROV Luso, which can dive down to 6000m deep and will allow scientists on board 6 weeks of new discoveries!

You can follow the daily posts on the campaign blog: https://www.iatlantic.eu/imirabilis2-expedition/blog/

We are also here if you want to accompany us:

• iMirabilis2 expedition website: www.iatlantic.eu/imirabilis2-expedition

• iAtlantic project website: www.iatlantic.eu

• Twitter: @iAtlanticEU #imirabilis2

• Instagram: @iatlanticEU

• Facebook @iatlanticeu

#emepc #mardeportugal #rovluso #portugalémar #pepc #ocean #imirabilis2 #iatlanticeu #DiscoveringTheDeep #Deepocean #ROV #SarmientodeGamboa

Recently the tests of the multibeam, acquired by EMSO-PT funds, in the test pool at EMEPC were successfully completed. The purpose of the tests was to verify the operation of the equipment in an environment closer to the real operating environment. The next step will be to integrate the system in the ROV Luso before the next sea campaign to be held in July!

See more

Deep Listening, Deep Sea (ing), financed by EEA Grants is the new project by Companhia de Música Teatral in collaboration with the International Academy for Music, Arts and Sciences in Marvão, Fábrica Centro de Ciência Viva de Aveiro, Universidade de Bergen, the University of Aveiro and the Portuguese Task Group for the Extension of the Continental Shelf. The project aims to develop artistic experiences that contribute to the awareness of the importance of the deep ocean, inviting teenagers to create "audiovisual postcards" and "soundtracks" for images / films that result from the work of scientists studying the Portuguese and Norwegian deep ocean.

Find out more HERE

New scientific article “High-resolution multibeam bathymetry of the northern Mid-Atlantic Ridge at 45–46 ° N: the Moytirra hydrothermal field” was recently published in the Journal of Maps, which represents yet another scientific result of the 2019 Explosea 2 Campaign. The work was coordinated by Luis Somoza of IGME and had the collaboration of EMEPC and its researchers. This work presents a new high-resolution multi-beam bathymetric map of an active segment of the seabed in the northern zone of the Middle Atlantic Ridge in the Atlantic Ocean at 45-46º N. This new high-resolution bathymetric map allows to better define the underwater morphology of the hydrothermal field active Moytirra, the only high temperature field identified between the Archipelago of the Azores and Iceland. ROV submarine observations reaching the deepest part of the system for the first time show giant anhydrite-sulfide chimneys up to 20 m high, active strong black smokers and polymetallic massive sulfides.

To learn more about the Explosea2 Campaign

To read the article

On this Women and Girls in Science International Day, which is being celebrated today, February 11th, we present some women who work in marine sciences and ocean literacy. Andreia Afonso, is an ROV Technician and Pilot, in the Portuguese Task Group for the Extension of the Continental Shelf (EMEPC)

VIDEO

The Minister of the Sea, Professor Ricardo Serrão Santos and his team visited EMEPC today.

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