MARINNONET is a transnational R&D&I cooperation network dedicated to boosting the competitiveness and sustainability of the Blue Biotech sector in the Atlantic Area. By connecting research organizations, industry, public authorities, and innovation actors, MARINNONET transforms fragmented marine biotechnology ecosystems into a coordinated, collaborative community.
Figure 1 - Photos courtesy of Pilot Projects (ULVACEL by ULPGC-BEA)
The project’s added value lies in its quadruple helix approach, fostering open dialogue and joint action to address sector challenges and unlock market opportunities. The Atlantic Assistance Mechanism has played a key role, providing strategic alignment through the Atlantic Action Plan 2.0 and helping MARINNONET focus on sustainable ocean innovation and healthy marine ecosystems.
Proposed innovative solutions
MARINNONET introduces an open, participatory innovation model tailored to marine biotechnology. The project has established transnational co-creation spaces, such as Regional Innovation Forums and Blue Biotechnology Innovation Workshops, that systematically identify shared challenges and opportunities. These are translated into cross-border, market-driven pilot projects, jointly developed by research and industry. MARINNONET’s three Biotechnology Platforms focus on sustainable aquaculture, ocean health monitoring, and industrial bio-based applications, ensuring that innovation addresses both environmental sustainability and economic viability.
Figure 2 - Photos courtesy of consortium partners (SU-ROSCOFF Biologique station)
Project results so far
The project has successfully brought together key actors from Spain, Portugal, France, and Ireland, building a strong foundation for collaboration. Through its community-building actions, the project has enabled open discussions on sector challenges and identified promising market-oriented opportunities. Early pilot projects are already offering solutions that support healthy oceans, sustainable resource use, and the competitiveness of the Atlantic Blue Bioeconomy.
Scale-up opportunities
A possible follow‑up to the project could be the consolidation and expansion of the transnational network to include additional Atlantic regions and other sea basins, such as the WestMED. Scaling up would involve broadening the thematic priorities to encompass all biotech sectors, as well as increasing both the number and maturity of pilot projects, supporting their progression toward higher technology readiness levels and eventual market deployment. In addition, the co‑creation methodology could be institutionalised as a long‑term cooperation mechanism, enabling sustained collaboration, stronger alignment with smart specialisation strategies, and deeper integration with European blue economy and environmental policies.
Atlantic Assistance Mechanism support
MARINNONET was one of the Award Winners of the Atlantic Stakeholder Platform Conference 2025 in the category Healthy Oceans and Resilient Coasts. The Atlantic Assistance Mechanism publicly provides the strategic policy framework through the Atlantic Action Plan 2.0, which was essential for contextualising and aligning the project’s objectives with Atlantic-level priorities. The availability of the Action Plan and its Pillars offered a clear reference point that guided MARINNONET’s focus on sustainable ocean innovation and the promotion of healthy marine ecosystems.
Future Plans
Looking ahead, MARINNONET aims to expand its transnational network and plans to broaden its thematic priorities to cover all biotech sectors and scale up the number and maturity of pilot projects, supporting their progression toward higher technology readiness and market deployment. Institutionalizing the co-creation methodology as a long-term cooperation mechanism will ensure sustained collaboration and stronger integration with European blue economy and environmental policies.
Further information
Sectors: Marine Biotechnology
Total Budget: 2,32 M€; ERDF funding: 1,74 M€
Duration: 36 months 12/2023 – 11/2026
Coordinator: Universidad de Vigo - CIM (Galicia, ES)
Funding Program: Interreg Atlantic Area
Project locations: Spain, Portugal, France and Ireland
Entities involved:
Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (Canarias, ES)
Universidad del País Vasco (País Vasco, ES)
Agencia Estatal Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (Canarias, ES)
National University of Ireland, Galway (Northern and Western, IE)
Universidade do Minho (Norte, PT)
Associação Nacional para os Biorecursos Marinhos e Biotecnologia Azul - BBA (Centro, PT)
Sorbonne Université (Ile-de-France, FR)
Pôle Mer Bretagne Atlantique (Bretagne, FR)
Munster Technological University (Southern, IE)
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