The Oceanic Platform of the Canary Islands (PLOCAN) is a multipurpose service centre with land-based and sea-based novel infrastructures to support research, technology development an innovation in the marine and maritime sector. Its mission is to promote long-term observation and sustainability of the ocean, providing a cost-effective combination of services, such as observatories, test site, base for underwater vehicles, training and innovation hub. Its main objective is to construct and operate a fixed offshore platform that will be located both close to the coast and near of the edge of the continental shelf, in shallow waters. PLOCAN is a joint initiative between the Spanish and the Canary Islands governments, with the help of the European Regional Development Fund.
Contact person: Ayoze Castro ayoze.castro@plocan.eu
Website: http://www.plocan.eu/index.php/en/
Role of PLOCAN in COLUMBUS
PLOCAN will provide inputs to Work Packages 2 to 7.
Profile of staff engaged in the project:
Dr Ayoze Castro Alonso is Head of the Innovation Unit in PLOCAN. After seven years (2000-2007) of research work in veterinary pathology he moved to a management positions. Currently, he is Deputy Coordinator of the FP7 NeXOS project, which will develop new in-situ ocean sensors based on optical and acoustic technologies. He is a certified PRINCE2™ Practitioner (Projects in a Controlled Environment) with a wide experience in EU funding programmes and international grants (FP7, Horizon 2020, Eurostars, ERA-NETs, CIP, others).
Dr Joaquin Hernandez-Brito is the General Manager of PLOCAN. His research has focused on Marine Pollution Chemistry. He is Professor at the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, where he has also been Dean of the Faculty of Marine Sciences, Director of the TTO and the Science and Technology Park and Vice-rector for Research. He also served as Director of the Canary Islands Institute of Marine Sciences and Innovation Head in the Canary Islands Technological Institute.
