Integrating European marine research
The 'Integration of European marine research networks of excellence - Euromarine' (EUROMARINE) project brought together leading marine scientists and research organisations. By joining together three earlier initiatives (EUROCEANS, MARINE GENOMICS and MARBEF), a major international network for the marine sciences was created. An interdisciplinary approach enabled new emerging areas of research to be identified, where collaboration between disciplines will be particularly fruitful. It is hoped that these 'trading zones' can lead to major discoveries in epigenetics, chronobiology, and the sustainable use of marine resources and ecosystems. Integration of research spanning fields from genes to ecosystems enabled scientists to gain a clearer picture of how marine organisms and marine ecosystems function. This allowed them to determine how different factors affect biodiversity, and to understand how populations and species adapt to a changing environment. Knowledge generated through biodiversity research will benefit areas such as sustainable fisheries, aquaculture and marine biotechnology. Other applications of EUROMARINE results include natural products and pharmaceuticals for biomedicine and human health, industrial processes and clean energy. EUROMARINE covered three key areas: understanding marine ecosystems, scenarios for changing oceans and the use of marine science to drive innovation. The insights gained will serve as a basis for the foundation of the long-term sustainable management of the oceans. The research platform created will promote the sharing of facilities, thereby increasing economic efficiency. It will also increase collaboration and the integration of research among scientists as they conduct their work at institutes different from their own. This in turn will support the European Research Area (ERA). Thanks to EUROMARINE, integrated research will provide a rich and diverse source of the best expertise and innovation available in Europe, capable of responding to societal needs and environmental demands while promoting well-being. It will help ensure the sustainable development and exploitation of our fragile marine ecosystems, and provide expert advice for environmental managers and policymakers.
Keywords
Marine environment, epigenetics, chronobiology, ecosystem, marine biodiversity, aquaculture, sustainable management
