Advanced models to help both fish and fishermen

SURIMI is a new Horizon Europe project designed to provide this critical information by integrating a socio-ecological perspective into modelling and simulations.

On September 24 and 25, we gathered all partners in this NORCE-led project for the first in-person meeting in Bergen.

“We've had productive discussions and are ready to dive into the modelling", says project leader Patrycja Antosz at NORCE.

Integrating social and ecological simulation models

The SURIMI project will integrate advanced social and ecological simulation models into the European Digital Twin Ocean (EU DTO). SURIMI’s models will offer a comprehensive picture of ecological systems and human activities, helping to predict the size and movements of fish stocks.

“This will support better decision-making, strengthen the management of the fishing industry, and most importantly, ensure sustainable livelihoods for those who depend on the sea,” she adds.

Antosz leads NORCE's Center for Modeling Social Systems (CMSS). The centre comprises a team of researchers with unique expertise in social simulation using agent-based modelling, particularly “multi-agent artificial intelligence modelling.”

The group also has expertise in other types of modelling and statistical analysis.

The European Commission is currently reforming the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), which determines how the fishing industry in Europe is managed.

By offering SURIMI's modelling expertise - where you can customize a combination of ecological, economic, and political models to meet specific information needs in a plug-and-play way - the goal is to improve the management of fisheries and fish stocks.

In summary, SURIMI aims to:

• Estimate the dynamics of fish stocks.
• Understand how human activity impacts marine ecosystems.
• Represent fishing activities that affect fish stocks.
• Identify favorable strategies for sustainable fishery management.

SURIMI is a project led by NORCE, conducted together with the Ecopath International Initiative Asociacion, the European Marine Board, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, the National Research Council in Italy, Konnecta Systems, ERINN Innovation, and the University of Oxford.