BLUE – Biotelemetry for Life Underwater and Education
- FAM Foundation
- Mar 17
- 4 min read
The ocean continues to face escalating pressures from industrialization, climate change, and biodiversity loss. In response, the United Nations declared the Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, aiming to protect 30% of the ocean and strengthen science-based decision-making .
Hosted by MARE and ARDITI, led by Filipe Alves, the BLUE – Biotelemetry for Life Underwater and Education project was conceived to directly contribute to these goals by addressing two complementary objectives: advancing scientific knowledge on marine megafauna habitat use in offshore environments and strengthening ocean literacy through innovative educational tools .
By integrating research, digital innovation, and public engagement, BLUE aligns with SDG 14 (Life Below Water) and SDG 4 (Quality Education), positioning science as both a conservation tool and an educational catalyst.
Building Scientific Infrastructure Through Data Integration
One of the project’s core achievements was the systematic consolidation of satellite telemetry data collected between 2018 and 2024 from 28 cetaceans tagged in Madeira waters .
The team constructed a comprehensive database integrating deployment parameters, transmission performance, spatial movements, and biological metadata. Crucially, this dataset linked telemetry information with complementary biological data obtained through photo-identification, molecular sexing, trophic ecology analyses (fatty acids and stable isotopes), and ecotoxicology markers such as mercury, UV filters, and phthalates .
This integration transformed fragmented datasets into a structured knowledge system capable of supporting robust ecological interpretation and long-term conservation planning.
From Raw Data to Scientific Impact
Building on this consolidated database, the project enabled the complete analysis of telemetry data for short-finned pilot whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus), the most frequently tagged species in the region .
Results were presented at the 36th Conference of the European Cetacean Society and culminated in the submission of a scientific manuscript to Conservation Biology, one of the leading journals in the field . This represents a significant scientific milestone, converting years of accumulated tracking data into policy-relevant ecological insights.
The findings enhance understanding of body condition, movement ecology, and trophic dynamics of pilot whales in Macaronesia — information essential for marine spatial planning and offshore conservation strategies.
Advancing Satellite Biotelemetry Capacity
Although regulatory delays postponed the deployment of three newly acquired satellite transmitters, all necessary regional licenses were secured, and national authorization remains under review .
Importantly, the infrastructure for fieldwork is fully secured. The research team has guaranteed access to the R/V Observatório I vessel, fuel resources, and complementary field campaigns under the Horizon Europe project SEAMPHONI (2025–2029) .
This ensures that satellite tagging will proceed in 2026, extending the scientific legacy of the BLUE project beyond its initial timeline.
Digital Innovation: ID Fact Sheets and Interactive Visualization
To bridge science and society, the project transformed telemetry data into accessible digital “ID Fact Sheets” for each tagged individual . These visual summaries translate complex scientific data into intuitive narratives suitable for educators, students, and the general public.
The ID sheets will be integrated into a new digital visualization platform of the Madeira Ocean Observatory, featuring animated movement tracks rather than static maps . This upgrade represents a shift from passive data display to interactive environmental storytelling, enhancing public engagement with real marine megafauna movements.
Education as a Conservation Multiplier
A major pillar of BLUE was its educational component. Two structured lecture formats — one theoretical and one theoretical-practical — were developed for different school levels and officially integrated into the MARE-ARDITI educational program for the 2025–2026 academic year .
The lectures, tailored to students aged 6–15, introduce cetacean biology, satellite tracking technologies, and marine conservation principles. High demand and positive reception by schools demonstrate the appetite for ocean literacy initiatives grounded in real scientific research.
By embedding cutting-edge marine science into school curricula, the project multiplies its conservation impact across future generations.
Outreach, Visibility and Strategic Dissemination
Throughout the project, 16 social media posts were published across institutional channels, amplifying scientific achievements and field activities . The team also participated in a Mediterranean cetacean tagging campaign, reinforcing international collaboration and positioning BLUE within a broader scientific network .
A dedicated dissemination video was produced in accordance with FAM Foundation guidelines, consolidating project achievements in an accessible multimedia format .
Creating Foundations for Future Fundraising
Beyond immediate outputs, the project initiated strategic discussions with the FAM Foundation to explore innovative fundraising mechanisms. The goal is to enable near-real-time digital tracking experiences for schools and the general public, linking live marine science to participatory engagement .
This approach has the potential to create a sustainable model in which conservation science and digital storytelling reinforce each other, attracting long-term philanthropic support.
Strategic Outcomes and Long-Term Value
The BLUE project delivered impact across three interconnected dimensions.
Scientifically, it consolidated and advanced marine megafauna telemetry research in Macaronesia, converting multi-year tracking efforts into high-level scientific outputs.
Educationally, it embedded marine biotelemetry into regional school programs, strengthening ocean literacy at multiple educational levels.
Structurally, it created digital infrastructure and international partnerships that will continue generating scientific and conservation value beyond the project’s formal duration .
A Model for Science-Education-Conservation Integration
BLUE demonstrates how marine science can be simultaneously rigorous, policy-relevant, and socially transformative. By integrating telemetry research, digital innovation, education, and stakeholder engagement, the project advances the objectives of the UN Ocean Decade in a concrete and scalable way.
The initiative stands as a strong example of how targeted philanthropic funding can catalyze durable scientific infrastructure while strengthening public connection to marine biodiversity.
Please find more information on the report above.
FAM Foundation is committed with the sustainable development goals, Blue Carbon in Algarve project impact the following SGD's.
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), also known as the Global Goals, were adopted by the United Nations in 2015 as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that by 2030 all people enjoy peace and prosperity.