Implementing and Innovating Marine Monitoring Approaches for Assessing Marine Environmental Status

TLDR

Marine monitoring has traditionally relied on site‑specific methods that offer low spatial and temporal resolution and are labor‑intensive per unit area. The study aims to support the Marine Strategy Framework Directive by developing and testing innovative, cost‑effective monitoring systems and environmental status indicators. The authors review and evaluate molecular (microarray, qPCR, metabarcoding), optical remote sensing, acoustic, and in‑situ instruments, illustrating their application through case studies to assess suitability for routine MSFD monitoring. These emerging technologies demonstrate clear improvements in accuracy, efficiency, and cost compared with conventional approaches.

Abstract

Marine environmental monitoring has tended to focus on site-specific methods of investigation. These traditional methods have low spatial and temporal resolution and are relatively labour intensive per unit area/time that they cover. To implement the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD), European Member States are required to improve marine monitoring and design monitoring networks. This can be achieved by developing and testing innovative and cost-effective monitoring systems, as well as indicators of environmental status. Here, we present several recently developed methodologies and technologies to improve marine biodiversity indicators and monitoring methods. The innovative tools are discussed concerning the technologies presently utilized as well as the advantages and disadvantages of their use in routine monitoring. In particular, the present analysis focuses on: (i) molecular approaches, including microarray, Real Time quantitative PCR (qPCR), and metagenetic (metabarcoding) tools; (ii) optical (remote) sensing and acoustic methods; and (iii) in situ monitoring instruments. We also discuss their applications in marine monitoring within the MSFD through the analysis of case studies in order to evaluate their potential utilization in future routine marine monitoring. We show that these recently-developed technologies can present clear advantages in accuracy, efficiency and cost.