Digital transformation and artificial intelligence in marine spatial planning

The University Centre of the Westfjords recently received a grant to work on a project called  “The role of local knowledge in marine spatial planning for a just green transition in times of digital transformation and climate change”. The project will last two years, and UW will be its project leader. It is funded by AG-FISK, which is a Working Group for Fisheries under the Nordic Committee of Senior Officials for Fisheries and Aquaculture (EK-FJLS). AG-Fisk administers programmes on behalf of EK-FJLS (Fisheries and Aquaculture). Its main duties are to implement the strategies of the Committee of Senior Officials and the Nordic Council of Ministers, and to advise these two bodies.

During the project, UW will collaborate closely with Nordregio. Nordregio is an international research centre for regional development and planning, that operates at the crossroads between research and policy development, and was established by the Nordic Council of Ministers. UW will also work closely with UHI (University of Highlands and Islands) in Scotland. UHI has 12 individual colleges and each college/research centre has its own campus in different locations.

During the project, UW and its collaborators will address the challenges and opportunities of integrating renewable energy and marine food sectors in the North Atlantic Region, focusing on the inclusion of local knowledge and data in marine spatial planning (MSP).

Engaging with a wide range of stakeholders, the project seeks to improve MSP processes, enhance cross-border knowledge sharing, and contribute to the green transition. Special focus is on emerging technologies - digital solutions and artificial intelligence - in advancing sustainable marine practices, environmental conservation, economic development, and social wellbeing, especially in remote and rural areas.

The University Centre of the Westfjords