Centre for the Offshore Industry Holds Seabed Research Conference
On 19 April 2024, in the newly opened Centre for the Offshore Industry on Robert de Plelo Street in Gdańsk, a conference took place entitled “Mapping of bottom habitats of Polish marine areas using mosaic sonar mapping methods during the years 2022-2023”, organised by the Chief Inspectorate for Environmental Protection, Gdynia Maritime University, the GMU Maritime Institute, and the company MEWO Subsea Solutions. The conference was attended by more than 100 representatives of institutions, higher education centres, leading offshore companies as well as the government.
The conference was opened by the Deputy Rector for Cooperation and Development, Professor Tomasz Tarasiuk, and the Director of the Maritime Institute, Professor Krzysztof Czaplewski.
In accordance with its mission, the conference saw the Centre act as a place for the exchange of knowledge and experience between researchers, scientists, inventors, and enthusiasts of modern technology in seabed research technology. During the conference, 13 presentations were given on the sonar mapping of the seabed. Speakers touched on the very different aspects of research, including organisation, the fulfilment of the requirements of European law, activities at sea, including such aspects as the impact of the weather, the choice of vessel, bottom-mapping equipment and techniques, and the analysis of the results collected.
The research carried out in the years 2022 - 2023 provided extensive information on the relief and structure of the seabed, bottom-inhabiting organisms, and man-made objects found. The wide range of topics raised awareness among the participants of the conference as to how well-thought-out, long-term and coordinated scientific initiatives require research carried out at sea. The interesting presentations and follow-up discussions allowed participants and guests to establish valuable contacts and gain a new perspective on the research of marine habitats and the sea floor.
In the opinion of the participants, the conference provided valuable opportunities for dialogue between the business community concerned with the development of offshore wind energy and the scientific community associated with geology, ecology and marine biology.
