Introducing the Five Marine and Maritime Institutions: Plocan
on July 6, 2020
The Oceanic Platform of the Canary Islands (PLOCAN) is a multipurpose service centre with land-based and novel sea-based infrastructures to support research, technology development and innovation in the marine and maritime sectors. Its mission is to promote long-term observation and sustainability of the ocean, providing a cost-effective combination of services, such as an ocean observatory, a marine test site, a base for underwater vehicles, training and an innovation hub. PLOCAN is a joint initiative of the Spanish and the Canary Islands governments, with the contribution of the European Regional Development Fund, and is included in the Spanish Map of Unique Scientific and Technical Infrastructures (ICTS). Its main objective is the construction and operation of a fixed offshore platform that is located both close to the coast and near the edge of the continental shelf.
In addition, PLOCAN is configured as a Test Site where projects focused on testing and demonstrating of all kinds of marine devices are performed. The Test Site also covers the coastal component of the PLOCAN observatory, which is complemented by:
(a) The European Station for Time series in the Ocean, Canary Islands (ESTOC): a multidisciplinary mooring located in open ocean in the Central Eastern Atlantic at 29º10’N, 15º30’W with over 25 years of continuous surface and mid-water meteorological, physical and biogeochemical monitoring.
(b) A mobile observing system comprising a fleet of underwater and surface gliders and ROVs able to cover missions for long periods in coastal and open ocean areas.
As for training, PLOCAN organises high specialisation training courses with the aim to provide knowledge and practical skills in the use of facilities and devices for working in and accessing the deep ocean.
PLOCAN’s staff and management team have extensive experience in the preparation, implementation and management of large projects in the marine and maritime sectors. Since 2009 they have participated in more than 80 national and EU funded projects both as coordinators and partners.
PLOCAN is convinced that, through the GRRIP project, we will be able to implement several improvements in our organization regarding the 5 RRI keys (gender balance, open access, ethics, science education and public engagement) and, thus, contribute to the achievement of the SDG´s and our own strategic plan. Leveraging on GRRIP audit process we will be able to define a number of institutional changes as major actions required in policy, processes and key roles to implement a specific RRI interventions/goals and implement them following a customized RRI action plan for PLOCAN.
