Marine and maritime research join forces A European initiative has enhanced collaboration between the continent's marine and maritime science and research communities. Its successes contribute to the European Commission's wider policy strategy to create synergies between the marine and industrial maritime communities. Climate Change and Environment © Thinkstock A true maritime continent, Europe's marine/maritime science and research communities belong to the ranks of world leaders in their particular fields. To maintain this status, focused research, development and innovation (RDI) is needed to address emerging global challenges and take advantage of new market opportunities. This is not a simple feat, however; the marine/maritime area is hard-pressed to overcome widespread fragmentation of research efforts as well as of actor groups. With EU funding of the Emar2res project, a forum was set up to encourage ongoing intellectual interchange and discourse with a view to better interaction between the two research communities. Such an approach strengthens cross-sectoral and interdisciplinary cooperation for enhanced capabilities in their respective research areas and sectors. Seeking to support such interaction and facilitate networking for more cost-effective and efficient use of Member States' resources, project work also aimed to contribute to the establishment of a marine component of the European Research Area (ERA). The organisation of six workshops in total allowed for brainstorming on issues of common interest, and identifying joint marine/maritime RTD priorities. A panel of more than 70 experts offered wide coverage in terms of knowledge in both areas, helping to identify important areas for research and development (R&D) collaboration. One of the project's most tangible results was agreement on four common areas of research: biological and chemical impacts of maritime transport on the marine environment; water as a common medium ('physical' relationships); monitoring climate change and the benefits of operational oceanography to maritime activities; and the relationship between maritime transport and climate change. These four areas now form the basis for fruitful collaboration in Horizon 2020, the EU's Framework Programme for research and innovation funding from 2014 to 2020. On the strength of their findings and success in raising awareness between the two communities, Emar2res was also able to communicate concrete recommendations to policymakers. The initiative proved a successful first step towards integrating the marine/maritime science and research communities, promising benefits to the ERA and the continent's international competitiveness.
