The Ocean is a fundamental component of the Earth system that covers more than 70% of the planet’s surface, is host of the largest ecosystem, is a driver of global climate and much more. In addition, the ocean is providing a wealth of resources for humanity, such as food, transport, recreation and increasingly a source of genetic material. Despite all of this, the sustained observing and information system from the ocean is, for most parts, still in a pilot phase. This means that the knowledge on the ocean and changes in the ocean is fragmented and not fully functional so that the system to provide the information is fragile. Ocean observing is “big science” and cannot be solved by individual nations; it is necessary to ensure adequate integration, coordination, and support for the diverse actors along the ocean observing value chain. The ocean knows no borders, and 2/3 of the ocean is outside of national jurisdiction which is another argument for the need of international cooperation.
EuroSea aimed at improving the coordination and integration of a sustained ocean observing and forecasting system for sustainable use of the oceans. In order to focus on the overall objectives of EuroSea, we have been working towards the vision and mission statements:
Vision: Research and innovation towards a user-focused, truly interdisciplinary, and responsive European ocean observing and forecasting system, that delivers the essential information needed for human wellbeing and safety, sustainable development and blue economy in a changing world.
Mission: Use a co-design approach to significantly improve European ocean observing and forecasting services and products by building the community needed for a system that delivers services and products on the ocean, ocean climate, marine ecosystems and their vulnerability to human impacts.
EuroSea has formulated three overarching goals of the action: 1) Improve the European ocean observing system integrated into a global context, 2) Deliver ocean observations and forecasts, leading to increased knowledge about ocean climate, marine ecosystems and their vulnerability to human impacts, and 3) Demonstrate the importance of the ocean as significant for an economically viable and healthy society. EuroSea brought together key actors of ocean observing and forecasting such as operators of the observing system and information providers with the end users of ocean observations, responding to the Future of the Seas and Oceans Flagship Initiative. EuroSea was increasing the technology readiness levels (TRL) of critical components of ocean observations systems and tools and in particular the TRL of the integrated ocean observing system as such. It worked towards integrating individual observing elements to an integrated observing system and demonstrated the utility of the European Ocean Observing System through three demonstration activities focused on operational services, ocean health and climate where a dialogue between actors in the ocean observing system guided the development of the services, including market replication and innovation supporting the development of the blue economy. EuroSea was strengthening the European and Global Ocean Observing System (EOOS and GOOS) and supported their partners.
