Day one of SEADITO’s Oslofjord Workshop: First workshop with the Fishing Industry
In May the SEADITO project facilitated its first week of workshops with representatives from public governance and the fishing industry in the Oslofjord area. The workshops focused on the European Digital Twin Ocean (EU DTO) and its relevance to Mission Ocean and the European Commission’s Destination Earth initiative. These efforts aim to develop accurate digital models of marine systems to monitor, simulate, and predict interactions between natural and human dynamics.
On the first day, stakeholders and actors from the fisheries industry in Hvaler participated in a workshop focused on the Oslofjord, one of SEADITO’s case areas, serving as a focal point for discussions on integrating fisheries data into digital twin frameworks. Key outcomes from the session included:
- The need for reciprocal trust between the fishing industry, researchers, and governance authorities.
- A call for interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral collaboration to co-develop solutions.
- Interest in deploying sensors on vessels and gear to generate open data, using fishing vessels as “ships of convenience” to complement traditional scientific cruises.
Participants emphasized that innovation and technology development must be coupled with pilot studies and real-world testing, particularly in marine protected areas. This approach could enable dynamic area protection, where zones may be reopened based on environmental data and the use of more sustainable fishing technologies. The overarching goal is to balance biodiversity conservation with economic development in coastal communities.
Tackling Pollution in the Oslofjord: Insights from Day two of SEADITO’s Oslofjord Workshop
Day two of SEADITO’s three-day workshop series in the Oslofjord case area focused on pollution and its systemic impacts on marine health. Building on the stakeholder engagement initiated during the fisheries-focused session, this workshop brought together representatives from regional governance bodies to co-develop conceptual models for integration into the European Digital Twin Ocean (EU DTO).
Participants collaboratively produced both a comprehensive conceptual model and a detailed fuzzy cognitive map (FCM), laying the groundwork for scenario testing and digital twin integration. The session highlighted several key challenges and opportunities:
- Regulatory gaps: While environmental regulations exist, inconsistent enforcement and frequent legal dispensations undermine their effectiveness.
- Nature-based solutions: These emerged as critical complements to technological approaches in wastewater management, offering scalable and ecologically grounded interventions.
- Agricultural sector involvement: Stakeholders emphasized the need to engage upstream actors in pollution mitigation, particularly through sensor integration and biodiversity-oriented practices.
The workshop applied backcasting methodologies to envision future states of the Oslofjord under improved governance and ecological restoration. The resulting models will inform SEADITO’s contribution to the EU DTO, ensuring that pollution-related dynamics are represented in both technical and socio-political dimensions.
This session reinforced the importance of transdisciplinary collaboration and stakeholder co-design in addressing complex marine challenges. The SEADITO team extends its thanks to all participants for their active engagement and valuable insights.
Bridging Knowledge Systems: Day three of SEADITO’s Oslofjord Workshops
The third and final day of SEADITO’s Oslofjord workshop series brought together researchers, knowledge institutions, and civil society organizations to explore how diverse knowledge systems can inform the development of the European Digital Twin Ocean (EU DTO). This workshop focused on integrating scientific, experiential, and cultural perspectives into digital twin frameworks.
Discussions centered on how to enable real-time, socially relevant monitoring of the Oslofjord through co-designed models and pilot initiatives. Four key priorities emerged:
- Implementation of digital reporting systems and data sharing: There is a clear need to equip “boats of convenience” with sensor-based technologies and app-driven reporting tools to facilitate open, real-time data flows.
- Positive incentives for fisheries to diversify: Encouraging a shift away from traditional extraction-based practices toward low trophic aquaculture and other sustainable activities can support both ecological resilience and economic stability.
- Development of selective and gentle fishing gear: Innovation in gear design is essential to reduce seabed impact and improve sustainability across fisheries operations.
- Interdisciplinary research and pilot testing: To realize the above goals, coordinated research efforts and field-based pilot cases are needed—laying the foundation for continuous, real-time monitoring and adaptive management of the Oslofjord.
Following the stakeholder workshops in Oslo, Lene Lad Johansen, Senior Business Developer at SINTEF Digital, reflected on the discussions surrounding the future of the Oslofjord and the integration of social-ecological perspectives into digital twin frameworks. Her impressions underscore the importance of aligning environmental, technological, and societal dimensions in marine management:
- Linking soil health and water health: With 60 – 70% of European soils considered unhealthy, improving soil conditions and local preparedness can reduce nutrient runoff from agriculture into waterways, directly benefiting fjord ecosystems.
- Defining the right problem: It is essential to distinguish whether the issue lies in the extraction of shrimp itself or in the methods used. Sustainable harvesting techniques that avoid seabed damage may offer viable alternatives.
- Data-driven decision-making: Understanding the ecological carrying capacity of the fjord is critical. Real-time data collection enables timely evaluation of mitigation measures and supports evidence-based management.
These reflections highlight the need for transdisciplinary approaches and stakeholder co-design in developing digital twins that are both ecologically grounded and socially responsive.
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