Research projects in marine science and biodiversity.

Portfolio

Key project tracks.

Matis Projects brings together a diverse network of researchers, industry stakeholders, and policy advisors from across the North-Atlantic region. The platform serves as a collaborative hub where partners from Iceland, Denmark, Greenland, Norway, the Netherlands, and France work together on applied marine science initiatives. Through coordinated conferences, workshops, and knowledge-transfer activities, the team facilitates meaningful dialogue between the scientific community and the fisheries sector, ensuring that research outcomes remain relevant to the people who depend on healthy marine ecosystems.

Remote electronic monitoring is transforming how fisheries data is collected and analysed in the North-Atlantic. By deploying modern camera systems, sensors, and onboard recording equipment, researchers can observe fishing activities with greater accuracy and transparency than ever before. These technologies support catch documentation, bycatch assessment, and compliance verification without placing additional observers on every vessel. The work contributes to fairer enforcement, better stock management, and a clearer understanding of what happens at sea, all while reducing the operational burden on fishing crews.

Coastal fisheries represent a vital part of the cultural and economic fabric in many North-Atlantic communities. Projects under this theme examine how small-scale and inshore fishing operations can be managed sustainably in the face of changing environmental conditions and shifting regulatory frameworks. By engaging directly with fishers, local authorities, and scientific advisers, the research aims to develop practical management approaches that respect traditional knowledge while incorporating the best available science on fish stocks, gear selectivity, and habitat protection.

Environmental DNA methods are opening new windows into marine biodiversity. By analysing trace genetic material left behind in seawater, scientists can detect the presence of fish species, marine mammals, and other organisms without the need for invasive sampling or direct observation. This rapidly evolving field holds particular promise for monitoring flatfish populations, tracking invasive species, and assessing the health of benthic ecosystems. The research contributes to a growing body of knowledge that supports more responsive and cost-effective biodiversity surveillance across the North-Atlantic.

Stakeholder engagement lies at the heart of every project hosted on the platform. Whether through structured workshops, joint fact-finding exercises, or informal knowledge-sharing sessions, the aim is to build trust and mutual understanding between scientists, regulators, and fishing communities. By creating spaces where different perspectives can be heard and debated, the projects help to align research priorities with real-world needs and ensure that management recommendations are both evidence-based and practically achievable in the challenging conditions of the North-Atlantic.

The Nordic and North-Atlantic context shapes every aspect of the research agenda. From the cold waters off Greenland to the coastal fjords of Iceland and Norway, the region presents unique challenges and opportunities for marine science. Collaboration across national boundaries is essential for understanding migratory fish stocks, harmonising monitoring standards, and sharing technological innovations. Supported by funding bodies such as NORA and the Nordic Council of Ministers, the projects strengthen regional cooperation and build lasting partnerships between research institutions and the fisheries sector.

Service Area

North-Atlantic research, with Iceland as a coordination hub.

The Matis Projects portfolio serves partners across the North-Atlantic region, with hosted events in Reykjavík and collaboration across Nordic fisheries and biodiversity networks.