Discover the achievements of the 2014-2020 NPA projects
Seven years of cooperation between people, communities, and organisations across thousands of kilometres made a difference in the Northern Periphery and Arctic regions.
Browse the NPA map of results to discover our stories of cooperation. Pick a dot from the map and scroll down to read about people who have met similar minded colleagues and together found solutions for their shared challenges.
Use the +/- buttons in the top left corner of the map to zoom in/out or click on the regions to display the NPA project stories.
Drones mapping seaweed
Technological help to better understand local coastal resources
In Clew Bay in Co. Mayo, COAST project explored how drones can be used to map the seaweed resources in the area. As the market for seaweed is growing, this product represents a new opportunity for local communities. Spread across 4 locations, drones first mapped the seaweed resources on the coast, followed by a machine analysis to determine the amount and quality of seaweed. The study indicates that drones are a very efficient and effective tool for mapping and understanding the value of natural resources. The collected data and up-to-a-millimeter precise analysis helps local authorities understand the potential of coastal resources and make the best-informed decision.
Experience and other examples of using drones in Iceland, Finland, and Northern Ireland, for more sustainable coastal management and informed decision-making were collected and presented in the Sustainable Resilient Coasts Toolkit. The Irish case of using drones for management of coastal resources was also shared as part of the news series Stories of Cooperation for Greener Europe at Interreg.eu
Michael O’Boyle
Mayo County Council“We are recognizing that the marine environment is becoming more important for us from a social, entrepreneurial, and well-being point of view. Drones have become prominent tools in assessing and managing coastal environments. Especially suitable for our harsh Irish coastal climate. In this regard, we were focusing on seaweed and experimenting with the drones how to measure the nature and quantity of the seaweed remotely, how to assess its health, and manage it sustainably and in connection with the local communities.”