The Arctic Marine Geophysics Campaign set sail on Saturday 2 July from the Norwegian port of Tromsø High North22 which will see the Navy alongside the national and international scientific community in marine research in the Arctic.
Ship Alliance, owned by NATO and with the flag and crew of the Navy, sailed on 21 May from the port of La Spezia and landed in the Norwegian city of Tromsø to begin the sixth HIGH NORTH22 marine geophysics campaign.
The mission conducted by the Navy, with the scientific coordination of the Hydrographic Institute of the Navy, will involve in the activities of the program HighNorth the main actors of marine research in the Arctic such as national and international research institutions and bodies, universities and private companies, in the fields of applied sciences such as hydrography, geophysics, oceanography and marine geology.
High North22 it is therefore part of the Navy's commitment in the Arctic region and is the natural continuation of the previous missions in order to consolidate and further develop the results of scientific research in the exploration and observation of the marine environment to give continuity to the acquisition of data and time series with particular attention to the study of climate change in key areas of global dynamics.
The Navy sees in the possible new trade routes that could open to the North, an element of interest in terms of the environment and safety of navigation, as well as for the geostrategic and socio-economic aspects that this could entail for our country.
On board of Nave Alliance, under the command of the frigate captain Pasquale Perrina, 47 crew members of the Navy, to which was added the scientific team composed of 18 people and under the coordination of the expedition leader, frigate captain Maurizio Demarte. The scientific team includes 10 young future hydrographers, officers and non-commissioned officers of the Italian Navy, some representatives of foreign navies and students of the University of Genoa, also an expression of Ocean Generation of the UN ECOP (Early Carrier Ocean Professional) program.
Knowledge of the ocean is a topic for the attention of the global community for the interest shown by the United Nations. In particular, the HN22 received the endorsement as "Action" of the decade (UN Decade of Ocean Science for Environment Sustainability) in the program "The Science We Need for the Ocean We Want" with Education and Ocean Generation of young people involved in the activities.
As also stated by the scientific coordinator of HIGH NORTH prof. Roberta Ivaldi “The ocean must not only be protected, it must be supported. This is why the involvement of the youngest is essential. The Decade of the Sea invites us to do just that, to get to know and reflect. Because each of us can make a difference ".
The HIGH NORTH Marine Geophysics Campaign was primarily intended to resume research activity in the Northern seas and above all to stimulate growth and provide support and tools to National Research Centers in this area. In this context, the Navy acts as a standard bearer in the world of national research by integrating in a common interest different specificities of a single Armed Force in the development of research processes and knowledge of the environment towards a sustainable use of resources.
