On 23 June, Alessio Marrone, a PhD student with the Department of Geosciences at the University of Malta, under the supervision of Prof. Alan Deidun, embarked on the BALTARTIC SEA-EU oceanographic cruise from Gdansk, Poland, all the way across the Baltic to Bodo, Norway. This scientific expedition concluded on 5 July with an arrival ceremony in Gdansk, Poland, marking the end of a significant journey that contributed to oceanographic research and international academic collaboration.
The BALTARTIC SEA-EU cruise, organised under the auspices of the SEA-EU Alliance, provided an unparalleled opportunity for researchers and students of the Alliance to enhance their knowledge and skills in marine science. On board of the r/v Oceanograf, a fully-equipped research vessel operated by the University of Gdansk, Marrone engaged in a range of scientific activities and collaborations.
The cruise lasted a total of 33 days and made stops at 5 different cities along the German, Norwegian, Swedish and Polish coasts.
The campaign aimed to trace the path of the water flowing out of the Baltic Sea to the Arctic Ocean. An international and multidisciplinary team of scientists has worked together to carry out this research. For instance, throughout the cruise, Marrone was actively involved in implementing sampling methodologies for zooplankton. Using traditional instruments such as the multinet and Rosette paired with CTD probes, he focused on sampling ichthyoplankton along the Norwegian coast. This process was conducted at six strategically chosen offshore sampling stations, enabling the collection of critical data for ongoing marine research.
“The idea behind each expedition is very symbolic – r/v Oceanograf becomes a floating university” said the SEA-EU General Coordinator, Prof. Fidel Echevarría, who visited the researchers during their cruise. It is worth mentioning that this BALTARTIC campaign has been organised as a continuation of a project initiated during SEA-EU 1.0. In 2022, researchers from SEA-EU universities met on board the very same research vessel heading from Gdansk to Cadiz, Spain.
“A highlight of the cruise was the interaction with Prof. Fidel Echevarria, the coordinator of the SEA-EU Alliance" - says Alessio Marrone. "Prof. Echevarria’s interest in my work led to a presentation where I showcased my scientific publications, PhD research topics, and the three project grants he had been awarded within the SEA-EU programme. I placed a particular emphasis on the MedVoyAge project, a significant initiative within the SEA-EU framework which, as Prof. Echevarria said, has an important role in communication and in providing new accessible material to train a new generation of sea-literate citizens.”
The BALTARTIC SEA-EU cruise not only facilitated significant scientific research but also strengthened the ties between participating universities and researchers. Marrone’s contributions were instrumental in achieving the objectives of the cruise, and his interactions with international peers and mentors (particularly from the University of Gdansk) further enriched the collaborative spirit of the expedition.
Reflecting on his experience, Marrone expressed gratitude for this unique opportunity to represent the University of Malta on such a prestigious research vessel. He highlighted the importance of international collaboration in addressing global marine challenges and expressed optimism about the research being carried out, the future prospects of the MedVoyAge project and other SEA-EU initiatives.
As the University of Malta continues to support and participate in such vital research initiatives, it reaffirms its commitment to fostering academic excellence and international collaboration. The participation in the BALTARTIC SEA-EU cruise is a testament to the university’s dedication to advancing marine science and contributing to global research efforts. The University of Malta is grateful to the University of Gdansk (the organisers of the cruise) and to the University of Cadiz (the coordinators of the SEA-EU Alliance) for accepting Alessio on board this prestigious cruise.
The University of Malta's leadership in the coming months is expected to drive forward more of the Alliance's initiatives, leveraging the collaborative spirit that SEA-EU embodies. The UM Rector's tenure as SEA-EU Rector will conclude with the organisation of the SEA-EU Governing Week in Malta on 26 - 28 November 2024.