AtlantECO Deliverable - D10.8 - Report on Case study results

This deliverable describes the execution and results from the five Case studies (CS) conducted as part of the AtlantECO project. The purpose of the CS has been to demonstrate the applicability of methods, technologies, results and outputs from AtlantECO in real application settings. Stakeholders have been consulted from the start to ensure relevance for the demonstrations. Data acquired and delivered in other AtlantECO WPs have been used as the basis for the work, and relevant stakeholders have been consulted through workshop meetings to identify suitable routes for the exploitation of results also post the AtlantECO project. CS1, Molecular Bioprospecting, led by SINTEF, centred on the discovery of new enzymes with industrial potential, especially relevant for microplastics degradation and high value applications, e.g. in diagnosis and molecular research as defined by the early adopter stakeholders ArcticZymes and Cape Biotechnologies. When access to new AtlantECO sequencing data could not be achieved, the historical datasets from the AtlantECO super study on MGnify was used as basis for bioprospecting. The data were mined using a SINTEF-internal mining pipeline as well as the MGnify API to identify numerous hits across several enzyme families, including PETases, cutinases, and PHA depolymerases, as well as 13 stakeholder enzyme target families. Recombinant expression in Escherichia coli confirmed protein production with measurable activity for two candidate PHA depolymerases, indicating potential for further development. In parallel, functional screening libraries were generated from metagenomic samples from a Tara Ocean Mission Microbiome sampling campaign. From the screening of a small library, four candidates were identified to show laccase activity, corresponding to a class of enzymes used in biorefining and food processing. Further validation is pending. The prospects for future collaboration and exploitation of the enzyme discovery efforts were discussed in a stakeholder workshop. CS2, Bioprospecting for organisms and impact of drilling in Brazil and influencing policies, led by UFBA, integrated bioprospecting, ocean-circulation modelling, and habitat-exposure analyses to assess the environmental impacts of potential oil spills linked to drilling in the equatorial margin of Brazil (EMB). The analyses revealed that Amazon River microbiomes encode more than 5000 genes linked to hydrocarbondegradation and that the abundances are influenced by nearby petroleum activity. Using numerical modelling of Lagrangian trajectories and habitat mapping it was seen that the ocean-circulation patterns can within weeks transport pollutants from the EMB basins into Exclusive Economic Zones of neighbouring countries, e.g., in the Caribbean Sea. Habitat-exposure assessment indicated that current and planned offshore drilling could significantly affect sensitive habitats like mangroves, seagrass meadows, and rhodolith beds, particularly in the Potiguar, Barreirinhas, and Pará-Maranhão Basins. As most high-priority conservation areas currently overlap with low exposure zones, this is an opportunity to proactively expand Brazil’s Marine Protected Areas, strengthening environmental governance and ecological resilience before industrial activity intensifies. An interdisciplinary workshop highlighted that effective coastal risk monitoring in Brazil depends on the integration of molecular tools (eDNA), ocean observation systems, and numerical modelling. While each approach shows strong potential individually, the discussions made it clear that methodological validation, interdisciplinary coupling, and institutional collaboration are essential to transform these tools into robust, operational frameworks for environmental management and risk assessment. CS3, Early hazard detection in aquaculture, led by NOC, advanced the development of a next-generation marine biohazard sensor for autonomous detection of hazards such as harmful algal blooms in coastal and offshore environments. Originally planned collaborations with ASTRAL aquaculture partners were disrupted by COVID19-related delays and patent restrictions on new ASTRAL technology. Instead, NOC partnered with experts at SZN to deliver proof-of-concept testing. An eDNA autosampler (RoCSI) was developed, capable of collecting and preserving genetic material from toxigenic algae, alongside a novel quantitative assay targeting the dabD gene involved in domoic acid toxin production. Field trials in the Gulf of Naples successfully demonstrated the full workflow — from autonomoussampling to genetic identification of harmful Pseudonitzschia cells in both spiked controls and natural samples near the Sarno River (approximately 103 - 104 cells per L). In parallel, a lab-on-a-chip genetic sensor was engineered to automate cell lysis, DNA purification, and real-time gene amplification. This system achieved a detection sensitivity 15 times higher than UK regulatory thresholds and completed analyses within 40 minutes, though further engineering is required for submersible deployment and operational use. CS4, Environmental regulation of coastal areas in the context of shallow sea diamond mining, led by UCT, has assessed how South Africa and Namibia manage Environmental Impact Assessment (EIAs) for ocean mining. Here the mining sector is both terrestrial and marine, however the EIAs remain largely based on terrestrial assumptions and significant implementation gaps persist, including limited consideration of indirect and cumulative impacts, weak integration of ocean-specific ecological processes, and inconsistent guidance forpractitioners. To improve the understanding and capacity of ocean-relevant EIA practices, the AtlantECO team collaborated with South African and Namibian stakeholders through targeted engagements with government departments, mining companies, and regional research institutions. In South Africa, engagement with government departments and participation in a regional Ecosystem-Based Management workshop revealed a need to incorporate water-column dynamics, plume transport, socio-ecological considerations, and broader stakeholder participation into EIAs. These insights led to co-developed recommendations with decision-makers and inspired new research projects aimed at improving mining-related EIAs and cumulative impact assessments. In Namibia, fieldwork and capacity-building efforts with the National Marine Information and Research Centre and Debmarine Namibia focused on mapping benthic ecosystems across the continental shelf to support future EIAs and marine spatial planning. Training of national staff and a PhD project are strengthening long-term monitoring capacity and local expertise. Overall, the case study highlighted a need for more ocean-specific guidance, better data accessibility, and stronger institutional coordination to ensure that offshore mining EIAs support sustainable development in both countries. CS5, Impact of plastics and climate change on small-scale fisheries value chains in Cabo Verde, Africa, performed by USC, explored the vulnerability of key small-scale fisheries value chains on Boa Vista Island, Cabo Verde due to the impacts of plastics and climate change. Through 47 personal interviews the study mapped the multispecies value chain, from fishers and divers to vendors, restaurants, hotels, and inter island trade. A dynamic, but vulnerable sector was observed. Fishers face declining stocks, loss of baitfish, competition from industrial fleets, greater distances to fishing grounds, climate related environmental changes, and widespread marine plastic pollution. Vendors struggle with weak cold-chain infrastructure, irregular supply, and rising operational costs, while high value invertebrates increasingly bypass traders through direct sales to hotels and restaurants. Despite these vulnerabilities, the value chain demonstrates important strengths; strong cultural ties to fishing, long-standing experience among fishers and vendors, and steady demand from the hotel and restaurant sector all contribute to system resilience. The study identifies clear priorities for strengthening the small-scale fisheries of Boa Vista: rebuilding local fish and baitfish stocks, regulating interactions with industrial fleets, improving cold-chain and market infrastructure, empowering fisher organisations, and addressing marine pollution and climate impacts. The findings also highlight opportunities for value added fish processing, enhanced market access strategies, and evidence-based policy guidance. Together, these insights support more sustainable, equitable, and climate resilient fisheries management on Boa Vista Island.