Brussels, 08/09/2010 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday, the European Commission will launch a call for proposals worth €45 million for a project to develop research into maritime activities. Within the context of “The ocean of tomorrow 2011” appeal, financial proposals are expected for research projects that maximise the potential of seas and oceans through innovative, prospective and sustainable approaches. Funding will be allocated to major multidisciplinary research projects based on a partnership between EU member states and third countries. Máire Geoghegan-Quinn, the European commissioner for research, and Maria Damanaki, her counterpart responsible for fisheries and maritime affairs, declared that “selecting the best proposals from this call will help Europe move forward in areas like offshore energy and 'blue biotechnologies'”. “The ocean of tomorrow 2011” appeal for proposals was launched on 20 July 2010. The appeal is divided into four sections and each project will cover themes related to food, agriculture, fisheries, biotechnologies, energy, environment and transport. The first section (€14 million) focuses on the innovative development of multifunctional at-sea platforms and their economic and environmental viability. The second section (€9 million) covers bio-computerised approaches for promoting the acquisition of knowledge about how maritime ecosystems work and their bio-technological potential. The third section (€13 million) tackles the combined effects of natural and man-made pressures on the marine environment in the Mediterranean and North Seas and how ecosystems adapt to these pressures. The fourth section (€9 million) involves the integrated management of protected maritime zone networks and the opportunities provided by wind energy. Proposals can be submitted until 18 January 2011 and the projects selected will be revealed in autumn next year. (B.C./transl.fl)