A new national arena for marine research and innovation to be established
The first step is now taken in establishing a national arena for marine research and innovation through a new collaboration between five main research actors and Lysekil municipality. An agreement has been signed to develop a unique research and innovation environment for blue growth under the name of Kristineberg Marine Research and Innovation Center.
There is a great potential for developing sustainable marine industries in Sweden, but in order to succeed, marine research must be linked to industry and the innovation system. Now we are in the forefront of creating a gathering place for marine research and innovation, "says Lena Gipperth, chair of the group coordinating Kristineberg Marine Research and Innovation Center.
Kristineberg Marine Research Station in Bohuslän is one of the world's oldest marine stations for research and education and has been run since 2008 by the University of Gothenburg. To develop the business and meet the challenges of the future, five strong research actors; University of Gothenburg, Chalmers University of Technology, Royal Institute of Technology, IVL Swedish Environmental Institute, RISE - supported by the municipality of Lysekil, has set up a joint research and innovation center. The realisation is an important puzzle piece for both Lysekils municipality's vision and development area, Maritima Lysekil, "said Municipal Chief Leif Schöndell.
The center will offer advanced marine infrastructure, test beds and demonstration environments, which are increasingly in demand by industry as well as the public sector. An example of a test bed is the Testsite Akvamarin project, which aims at supporting the development of a sustainable marine aquaculture, where circular systems for fish, shellfish and algae cultivation are in focus. Another example is the development of offshore testing and demonstration areas for marine energy and technology named Testsite Skagerrak.
To reduce negative human impact on the marine environment, both knowledge about ecosystems and interaction between different actors are needed. Kristineberg Marine Research and Innovation Center will be a leading research and innovation center that supports entrepreneurship and corporate development.
The facility ownership lays for now at University of Gothenburg, however the six partners will jointly run the new Kristineberg center.