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Research-Industry Collaboration in Ocean Protection
In this episode of Maritime Matters, host Dr Matthias Catón, Managing Director of the German Maritime Centre, is joined by Joachim Harms, Chairman of the Board at the German Marine Research Alliance (Deutsche Allianz Meeresforschung – DAM). Together, they explore why robust cooperation between marine research and the maritime industry is key to protecting our oceans in an era of rapid industrialisation and climate change.
Joachim Harms draws on a distinguished career in marine biology and science policy to discuss the Alliance’s “mission-style” approach, bringing together researchers, industry, authorities, and civil society. This episode sheds light on DAM’s priority projects, the importance of including local communities, new tools for monitoring and innovation, and how German marine research is contributing to sustainable ocean use amid growing pressures.
Key Topics:
• The Role of the German Marine Research Alliance (DAM): Why it was founded, its structure, and how it unites research institutes, government, industry, and society to address urgent challenges such as biodiversity loss, climate change, and ecosystem health.
• Mission-Style Research and Stakeholder Integration: The design and implementation of DAM’s flagship programmes
• Local Communities and “Living Labs”: How involving coastal populations in research projects ensures transparency, relevance, and public understanding of vital decisions about ocean resources.
• Innovation, Monitoring Tools, and Industry Partnership: Cutting-edge work in subsea CO2 storage, environmental monitoring (including the EDNA “coffee machine”), and the challenges of addressing legacy issues like dumped munitions, developed in close collaboration with industry and authorities.
• Sustainable Development Goals in Action: DAM’s alignment with the UN SDGs, especially ‘Life below Water’ (Goal 14) and ‘Climate Action’ (Goal 13).
Guest Bio: Joachim Harms is Chairman of the Board at the German Marine Research Alliance (DAM), leading the organisation’s efforts to integrate science, industry, and government for evidence-based decision-making in ocean management. With a background as a marine biologist, he has extensive experience in international marine research, coordination of federal and state initiatives, and advisory roles in European partnerships. His earlier career includes research on plankton larvae, coastal fauna, and international fellowships in Japan, Brazil, and France.
Nautical Numbers: This episode’s standout number: 17 – representing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). DAM focuses on fulfilling these interconnected goals, with a particular emphasis on ‘Life below Water’, ‘Climate Action’, and ensuring sustainable livelihoods from the oceans.
Navigator’s Table: Joachim Harms recommends the fish bistro Sandviks Fisk och Hamnkök in the harbour of Sandvik, on Öland, Sweden – a rare place on the Baltic coast where you can enjoy truly fresh, locally-caught fish brought in by the harbour’s fishing vessels. A delicious and authentic maritime experience for any visitor.
Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to Maritime Matters for more interviews with leaders and experts shaping the maritime sector. Visit the German Maritime Centre’s website for updates, events, and information about Germany’s maritime industry and international connections. If you found this episode insightful, share it with colleagues and partners in the shipping world. Stay tuned for more global perspectives through a German lens.
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By German Maritime CentreIn this episode of Maritime Matters, host Dr Matthias Catón, Managing Director of the German Maritime Centre, is joined by Joachim Harms, Chairman of the Board at the German Marine Research Alliance (Deutsche Allianz Meeresforschung – DAM). Together, they explore why robust cooperation between marine research and the maritime industry is key to protecting our oceans in an era of rapid industrialisation and climate change.
Joachim Harms draws on a distinguished career in marine biology and science policy to discuss the Alliance’s “mission-style” approach, bringing together researchers, industry, authorities, and civil society. This episode sheds light on DAM’s priority projects, the importance of including local communities, new tools for monitoring and innovation, and how German marine research is contributing to sustainable ocean use amid growing pressures.
Key Topics:
• The Role of the German Marine Research Alliance (DAM): Why it was founded, its structure, and how it unites research institutes, government, industry, and society to address urgent challenges such as biodiversity loss, climate change, and ecosystem health.
• Mission-Style Research and Stakeholder Integration: The design and implementation of DAM’s flagship programmes
• Local Communities and “Living Labs”: How involving coastal populations in research projects ensures transparency, relevance, and public understanding of vital decisions about ocean resources.
• Innovation, Monitoring Tools, and Industry Partnership: Cutting-edge work in subsea CO2 storage, environmental monitoring (including the EDNA “coffee machine”), and the challenges of addressing legacy issues like dumped munitions, developed in close collaboration with industry and authorities.
• Sustainable Development Goals in Action: DAM’s alignment with the UN SDGs, especially ‘Life below Water’ (Goal 14) and ‘Climate Action’ (Goal 13).
Guest Bio: Joachim Harms is Chairman of the Board at the German Marine Research Alliance (DAM), leading the organisation’s efforts to integrate science, industry, and government for evidence-based decision-making in ocean management. With a background as a marine biologist, he has extensive experience in international marine research, coordination of federal and state initiatives, and advisory roles in European partnerships. His earlier career includes research on plankton larvae, coastal fauna, and international fellowships in Japan, Brazil, and France.
Nautical Numbers: This episode’s standout number: 17 – representing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). DAM focuses on fulfilling these interconnected goals, with a particular emphasis on ‘Life below Water’, ‘Climate Action’, and ensuring sustainable livelihoods from the oceans.
Navigator’s Table: Joachim Harms recommends the fish bistro Sandviks Fisk och Hamnkök in the harbour of Sandvik, on Öland, Sweden – a rare place on the Baltic coast where you can enjoy truly fresh, locally-caught fish brought in by the harbour’s fishing vessels. A delicious and authentic maritime experience for any visitor.
Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to Maritime Matters for more interviews with leaders and experts shaping the maritime sector. Visit the German Maritime Centre’s website for updates, events, and information about Germany’s maritime industry and international connections. If you found this episode insightful, share it with colleagues and partners in the shipping world. Stay tuned for more global perspectives through a German lens.