QUALITAS is proud to contribute to the PNRR MER Project (Marine Ecosystem Restoration) with a major PNRR MER HF radar expansion. This is the largest marine initiative under Italy’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan. It is implemented by ISPRA (the Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research), with the Ministry for the Environment and Energy Security as the financing administration. Overall, the MER Project mobilizes €400 million over 2022–2026 for the restoration and protection of seabeds and marine habitats. Furthermore, it supports the strengthening of Italy’s national marine and coastal ecosystem observation system and the mapping of Italian coastal and marine habitats.

Strengthening Marine Protection with PNRR MER HF Radar Systems

Within this framework, QUALITAS is delivering the coastal HF radar monitoring component. Specifically, this includes the installation of 13 new CODAR SeaSonde HF radar antennas and the maintenance of 7 existing stations across the regions of Campania, Tuscany, and Sicily. Once complete, the expanded network will provide real-time surface current monitoring over tens of thousands of km² of sea. As a result, this will significantly reinforce Italy’s coastal ocean observing capacity.

By taking this step, Italy consolidates HF radar technology as a cornerstone of national-scale marine ecosystem monitoring. Therefore, it is supporting environmental protection, maritime safety, and science-based coastal management in the Mediterranean.