The Provincial Council of Bizkaia and Itsasmuseum have announced today their adhesion to the Ulysses Data For Science Project, a pioneering initiative in the fight against plastic pollution in estuaries, rivers, seas and oceans, with special interest in the ecosystem of the Bay of Biscay. The announcement was made at a ceremony held at Itsasmuseum, with the presence of Arantza Atutxa, Regional Deputy for Natural Environment and Agriculture; Jon Ruigomez, president of the museum; Oihane C. Basurko, Azti researcher; and Jorge Ballester, director of the Data For Science Foundation.

The project aims to analyze and monitor the arrival and distribution of plastics in marine and river ecosystems, and to this end deploys advanced technological tools, as well as promoting collaboration between public institutions, private companies and society in general.

By joining the Ulysses Data For Science Project, Bizkaia reaffirms its commitment to marine conservation and the fight against plastic pollution, positioning itself as a benchmark in environmental research and action. This initiative, which seeks to become a global movement, initially focuses on the Bay of Biscay.

Science, technology and outreach

The Ulysses Project, which began in 2020, combines science, technology and outreach to generate knowledge about plastic pollution and promote mitigation strategies locally and internationally.

Provincial Deputy Arantza Atutxa has remarked the commitment of the Provincial Council of Bizkaia to the sustainability and conservation of the Basque coastline. “The protection of our ecosystems is a shared responsibility that requires the active participation of all sectors of society,” said Atutxa.

“By joining the Ulysses Project, Bizkaia is positioned as a benchmark in environmental research and action, reaffirming our role as an innovative, sustainable and deeply committed to the conservation of the Basque coastline and the Gulf of Biscay,” stressed the deputy.

Jon Ruigomez, president of Itsasmuseum, stressed that “sustainability and awareness in the protection of our seas and coasts are crucial for the museum, which is why our commitment to Ulysses is a natural alliance that encourages us to continue in this line and allows us to join an initiative that combines innovation, science and sustainability.

For her part, Oihane C. Basurko, a researcher at Azti, emphasized the role of technologies in marine litter mitigation. “Technology is essential to effectively address plastic pollution in our aquatic ecosystems. By using advanced tools such as satellites, sensors and numerical models, we can obtain accurate data on the distribution and density of plastics on our coasts and rivers. This information is crucial to develop more effective intervention strategies and to evaluate the impact of our actions”.

Jorge Ballester, director of the Data For Science Foundation, emphasized that “we are increasingly supporting the Ulysses project, an ambitious initiative that seeks, through science, to reduce the arrival of plastics in our seas and rivers. The adhesion of the Provincial Council of Bizkaia and Itsasmuseum Bilbao represents a big step towards achieving our goal. Together, we can make a difference in protecting our environment and promoting a better future”.