The project’s holistic approach, including governance, ecological, and socio-economic aspects, will yield positive impacts on a multitude of sectors through the implementation and delivery of scalable and replicable impact-driven research and innovation solutions.

Environmental: Healthier marine and coastal ecosystems, sustainably managed fisheries, sustainable use of marine resources, establishment of a larger EU-wide network of protected areas.

Scientific: The knowledge on mapping, monitoring and managing of marine biodiversity will be improved through innovative technological advancements (Videos, eDNA) and the use of ABMTs to contribute to appropriate and transferable governance measures.

Policy: Fisheries will be sustainably managed through ABMTs to ensure protection and restoration of marine biodiversity, while policy makers will be able to make more informed decisions, thereby reducing pressures from human activities on marine biodiversity using “BioProtect ABM-DSF” and contributing towards SDG13 (Climate action) and SDG14 (Life below water).

Societal: Pressures from human activities on marine biodiversity will be reduced, leading to improved ecosystem services to society, provided by restored ocean health and healthier ecosystems overall.