Related REMEDIES Pillars: Detection & Monitoring, Prevention & Zero-Waste Solutions
Partner(s)/Owner(s): Infordata Sistemi, Venice Lagoon Plastic Free, and University of Maribor
Made for: primarily for Biologists – Marine Researchers and Research Institutions, also for Environmental NGOs, policymakers, local authorities, citizen scientists.
What is the REMEDIES Shoreline Marine Litter App v.1.0?
The REMEDIES Shoreline Marine Litter App v.1.0 is an innovative digital tool designed to revolutionize the detection and monitoring of beach litter. Central to REMEDIES’ mission, the app enables marine scientists, citizen scientists and stakeholders to efficiently collect, manage and analyze data on marine litter. Fully integrated with a centralized data repository portal, the app ensures that all collected data is standardized, comparable, and actionable. As of 2025, it is the only Marine Litter App v.1.0 fully compliant with JRC and EMODnet protocols, offering advanced tools to guarantee 100% protocol-aligned data collection.
Taking a holistic approach, the app also supports marine litter monitoring via underwater and aerial drone campaigns, and monitors buoys with GPS tracker. It integrates cutting-edge technologies and AI algorithms for automatic litter classification, making it a versatile solution for comprehensive environmental monitoring.
The user interface has been redesigned to simplify scientific monitoring, even for non-experts. Features such as simplified reporting with error correction, visual litter catalogue, smart categorization, grouping, tagging, and AI-powered search functions make litter identification intuitive and user-friendly.
Prepared for integration with EDITO (the European Digital Twin of the Ocean), the REMEDIES Portal offers unique analytical capabilities. It includes over 8,000 EMODnet beach litter datasets collected by scientists across Europe, enabling live comparisons with project data for deeper insights.
This app aims to advance [1] to TRL 8 by 2026. It represents a critical step toward addressing gaps in marine litter data across Europe, enabling evidence-based policymaking and effective environmental interventions.
This solution aligns with all two pillars of the REMEDIES program — Detection and Monitoring, and Prevention and Zero-Waste Solutions.
Impact: What Challenges Does This Technology Address?
Marine litter poses a grave environmental challenge, exacerbating biodiversity loss and polluting ecosystems. The REMEDIES Shoreline Marine Litter App v.1.0 addresses the following issues:
- Data Gaps in Beach Litter Monitoring: By standardizing data collection, the app ensures consistency and fills crucial information voids in Europe’s marine litter landscape.
- Policy and Community Engagement: Accessible and user-friendly, the app fosters public participation in environmental monitoring, enhancing community involvement and driving policy improvements.
- FAIR principles: Thanks to its intuitive search features, user-friendly interface, data export capabilities, and integration tools, the app adheres to the FAIR principles—ensuring that all data is Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable.
Through its deployment, this app equips stakeholders with robust, reliable data to combat marine litter effectively.
Unique Value Proposition: What Makes This Technology Stand Out?
The REMEDIES Shoreline Marine Litter App v.1.0 offers groundbreaking features that distinguish it from other solutions:
- Automated Metadata Management AI powered: Reduces manual input errors and streamlines data consistency.
- Integrated Tools for Precision Monitoring: Includes automated transect measurements with GPS or GIS map support. J-coding for litter identification with conversion tools to G and Ospar100 codes
- Offline Functionality: Ensures operability in remote areas without GPS or internet connectivity.
- Polymer Identification: Optional feature for classifying plastic types with NIR scanner support.
- Data Enrichment: Incorporates EMODnet services to validate and enhance datasets, enabling comprehensive analysis and policy alignment; collection of litter photos and other metadata.
- Unidentified litter support: For litter items that are difficult to classify, users can request support from other scientists within the community, fostering collaboration and improving data accuracy.
- All-in-one monitoring tool: The app serves as a comprehensive solution for marine litter monitoring campaigns—whether on beaches or at sea—supporting both drone-based surveys and human-led data collection efforts.
- Technical Characteristics:
- Mobile application available for both iOS and Android platforms using Progressive Web App technology.
- Backed by a web portal for data management, developed using PHP framework, Angular for Frontend Database built on MySQL for secure and efficient data storage and retrieval.
- Integration with EMODnet web services for automatic data exchange and validation.
- Rest API for data exchange with third party systems, integration with external technologies with their API/Web Services.
- GDPR and Security by design compliant, with Role Based Access Control.
The app’s cutting-edge features make it a cornerstone for marine litter monitoring and prevention efforts.
User: Who Can Benefit from This Technology?
The REMEDIES Shoreline Marine Litter App v.1.0 serves a broad spectrum of users committed to tackling marine litter. Environmental NGOs can amplify their campaigns with detailed, validated data, while policymakers and local authorities can leverage insights for effective regulation and community engagement. Citizen scientists play a pivotal role in data collection, bridging the gap between grassroots activism and institutional action. Research institutions and academia gain access to a wealth of standardized datasets to inform studies and solutions, improve the quality of collected data. Collectively, these stakeholders harness the app’s potential to foster impactful, data-driven environmental management.
Exploitation Pathway: How Will This Technology Be Put Into Action?
The REMEDIES Shoreline Marine Litter App v.1.0 will be implemented through several strategic avenues:
- Collaborative Research and Pilots: Partnerships with stakeholders to refine app functionalities and expand its applicability.
- Widespread Deployment: Rollout across REMEDIES demo sites, with Venice acting as a lighthouse for training and capacity building.
- Capacity Building Programs: Training sessions to equip users with the knowledge to utilize the app effectively.
- Global Scaling: Expansion to other regions and integration with international marine litter monitoring initiatives.
- Sponsorship/Venture Capitalist Engagement: the app creates opportunities for collaboration with business stakeholders, inviting sponsors and venture capitalists to contribute to and benefit from advancing sustainability goals through innovative marine litter monitoring solutions.
Through these pathways, the app promises to set a new benchmark in environmental monitoring.
Discover More
Learn more about Infordata Sistemi, Venice Lagoon Plastic Free, and University of Maribor, leading REMEDIES program partners, here, here and here.
Stay tuned!
Explore the Marketplace Page for the REMEDIES Shoreline Marine Litter App v.1.0– available soon!
Watch the Technology Presentation of YouTube – available soon!
