Last updated on 10th July 2026
ARDITI – the Regional Agency for the Development of Research, Technology and Innovation is promoting a scientific campaign in Porto Santo between the 3rd and 14th of July 2026, dedicated to the study of the island’s coastal marine ecosystems.
The initiative continues the Madeira Marine Biodiversity Monitoring Programme (BioMa), which began in 2016, and marks 10 years of activity. The programme has helped strengthen scientific understanding of marine biodiversity and the coastal seabed across the Region.
With the support of the IFCN – Institute of Forests and Nature Conservation – the campaign combines scientific diving with advanced technology, including high-resolution bathymetric surveys carried out by DRIX, an autonomous surface vehicle operated by the Oceanic Observatory of Madeira/ARDITI.
Over the last decade, BioMa has enabled researchers to track the evolution of marine biodiversity through regular monitoring of the same locations in Madeira and Porto Santo. By systematically repeating observations, scientists can identify ecological changes, distinguish natural variations from long-term trends, and provide essential scientific data to support conservation measures and the management of the marine environment.
In Porto Santo, the work includes scientific dives to assess the ecological condition of coastal habitats, monitor fish populations, mobile macroinvertebrates, and benthic communities, and detect possible changes in ecosystems over time.
At the same time, bathymetric surveys will be carried out along the island’s north coast, an area where significant gaps remain in high-resolution mapping. Data collected by DRIX will allow researchers to create digital models of the underwater landscape, improving understanding of the seabed’s geomorphology, including platforms, slopes and other structures that influence the distribution of habitats and species.
By combining direct scientific observation with autonomous mapping technology, the campaign strengthens an integrated approach to marine conservation and increases the Region’s capacity for monitoring, research and maritime spatial planning. At a time when oceans are facing increasing pressures from climate change, coastal development and biodiversity loss, long-term programmes such as BioMa play a vital role in producing reliable and up-to-date scientific knowledge.
The campaign reaffirms the commitment of ARDITI and the IFCN to protecting the marine heritage of Madeira and Porto Santo, contributing towards more informed and sustainable management of coastal ecosystems.
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com
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