UMass Dartmouth is partnering with the government of Portugal to work toward a future of clean waters.

Officials from the university and country signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Dec. 17 focusing on promoting and developing academic, research, and economic collaborations within coastal and ocean science and technology.

“The South Coast is known for two things: our historical maritime industries and our proud Portuguese heritage,” Chancellor Mark Fuller said. “Today, we are at the intersection of these two incredible straits to promote research and academic opportunities on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean.”

The biggest goal of the agreement, Fuller said, is to work toward improving marine health and conservation of the ocean through the development and use of new technologies such as underwater acoustics and unmanned vehicles.

The agreement also calls for the exchange of scientists, researchers, technical experts, scholars, and students from UMass Dartmouth and Portuguese colleges and universities.

Before signing the agreement, Fuller highlighted steps UMass Dartmouth is currently taking toward a greener future for the ocean.

Beginning next spring, he said, the university will open a new research and development laboratory at its School for Marine Science & Technology (SMAST) campus in New Bedford. 

Much of the research conducted at the new lab, the chancellor noted, will focus on reducing coastal pollution caused by the degradation of plastic waste.

“It is critical we share our knowledge with our Portuguese partners,” Fuller said. “Worldwide collaboration is critical to understanding the blue economy’s impact on our current and future generations for both humans and marine life.”

Portugal’s Minister of the Sea, Ricardo Serrão Santos, said that he was looking forward to his government’s collaboration with the Dartmouth campus.

“The ocean is this place where we can solve many of our future issues,” Santos said.