001 / The challenge

Monitoring that holds up at sea.

Coastal waters are getting noisier, busier, and more contested. Protecting marine ecosystems at scale requires monitoring infrastructure that can listen across complex acoustic environments and transmit data securely between distributed sensor nodes. BLUE-SHIELD advances both.

002 / The approach

Acoustic plus secure comms, demonstrated at scale.

BLUE-SHIELD develops two interlocking technologies. Next-generation passive acoustic monitoring for soundscape and event detection in coastal waters. Secure underwater communications for distributed sensing nodes that need to exchange data without exposing it.

Core components are implemented and tested at MARBLE pilot sites. Validated solutions are then demonstrated in Montenegrin waters, with hands-on knowledge exchange and access to MARBLE's research infrastructure supporting regional capacity-building.

003 / Outcomes

What BLUE-SHIELD is building.

Next-generation acoustic monitoring technology, validated in real Adriatic conditions and demonstrated in Montenegrin waters. Secure underwater communications proven operational at distributed sensor scales. Stronger regional capacity for evidence-based maritime monitoring across the Adriatic.

004 / Partners & funding

Partners & funding.

Lead partner: University of Montenegro.

Project partners: Centre of Excellence MARBLE, Newcastle University.

Funding programme: Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation of Montenegro (MESI). Total co-financing €133,331. Timeline: 2025 → 2027.

This project has received funding from the Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation of Montenegro.