The monitoring and surveillance activities to assess water quality are envisaged by programmes that are regulated by precise legislative provisions in the whole national territory (D.lgs. n. 152 dated 11/05/1999, amended and integrated by D.lgs.n. 258 dated 18/08/2000). In the Veneto Region these tasks are performed by the Regional Environmental Prevention and Protection Agency of the Veneto Region (ARPAV) which implemented the present initiative. During the first stage, a databank called “Sea Data Bank - Veneto Region” will be set up and managed together with a Sea Documentation Centre, followed by the drawing up of publications, periodical technical reports, real-time computerised updates on the quality of sea water and the definition of thematic charts. Moreover, information documents will be published and conferences organised in order to present the activities performed. The basic oceanographic properties of the basin will be observed and measured, and a continuous fixed monitoring station will be set up for the Upper Adriatic. During the third stage, the chemical state of the system will be assessed, according to the presence of dangerous, persistent and bioaccumulating chemical substances, followed by the georeferential mapping of the “tegnue” in the Gulf of Venice and a study on their main characteristics and surrounding environment. The research and study project aims therefore at making available the instruments that are necessary to protect the coastal environment - whilst respecting the ecosystems - in order to maintain its integrity and functioning, for a sustainable management of natural resources, both for the sea and the coastal land.