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MRI expert group – What have we learned?

MRI expert group – What have we learned?. A layman’s observations. Cost and value of Marine Research Infrastructure (MRI). MRI are expensive, cost of maintaining and operating them can represent ~ 50% of total marine research budget Important to maximise synergies at EU level

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MRI expert group – What have we learned?

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  1. MRI expert group – What have we learned? A layman’s observations

  2. Cost and value of Marine Research Infrastructure (MRI) • MRI are expensive, cost of maintaining and operating them can represent ~ 50% of total marine research budget • Important to maximise synergies at EU level • Socio-economic value of research infrastructure is not easy to assess, but… • We can and should propose ways / framework to approach it • Marine research (infrastructure) can contribute: • to protect the marine environment • better predict climate change impact and manage related risks • Innovate in marine bio-economy, ocean energy… • In times of budget constraints, need to show how MRI can help respond to societal needs and better convey their socio-economic value, including the protection of ecosystem services

  3. What sorts of MRI? • As a simplification, 2 big sorts of MRI: • Marine environment & Ocean / Climate interactions • Innovation in the maritime economy (marine bio-economy, ocean energy…) • Plus data management infrastructures / IT systems, EMODNET as a horizontal enabling initiative • But 1), 2) and 3) are linked. For example: • EMBRC can improve both knowledge of marine environment processes and support bio-medicine /biotechnologies • GMES / Marine Core Services can improve knowledge of marine environment, ocean / climate interactions and help deliver new commercial services • EMODNET can support science, policy and business innovation Multi-use MRI  full access to and integration of data

  4. Oceanographic fleet • Oceanographic vessels remain an essential part of the MRI set-up but… • Their role is changing with the development of in-situ observation (moorings, floats, gliders, cabled seabed observatories…) • They might be particularly useful to respond to some MSFD needs (mapping of seabed habitats, litter?...) • Instruments exist to pool oceanographic vessels time (barter mechanisms… etc.) • Renewal of fleet of regional oceanographic vessels in 5 coming years will be a major issue • Structural funds can be a good funding source for ocean. vessels • EUROFLEETS project will give us a good overview of key challenges and way forward When will we have first « EUROFLEETS » results / more precise recommendations regarding oceanographic fleet?

  5. EURO-ARGO, EMSO… • Euro-Argo most developed marine ESFRI project • could soon get ERIC status • integrated in major initiatives (GMES, GOOS…) • needs sustained financing to ensure full coverage and renewal • EMSO (ESONET) • some selected sites being developed with commitment from a few MS  proposal for ERIC? • number of sites needed to respond to needs is an issue: start with what we can get • site selection is an issue: scientific vs. societal needs • And what about EUROSITES? Proposal to integrate Euro-Argo / EMSO / Eurosites?

  6. Biological observation / Genomics • Long tradition of coastal biological stations in Europe  MARS – MarBEF  harmonis. / standard. of marine bio-data • Availability of long time series of plankton data and fisheries data (ICES) • Development of metagenomics and sequencing technologies  big possibilities  but disruptive technology • Key knowledge at intersection of organisms / genes / environment • RI architecture around: • EMBRC (acquisition of marine data) • A marine bio-informatics centre for data quality, standards…, which needs to be built • Elixir (repository for all biological data) To what extent can existing observation means respond to MSFD needs What is missing? Will EMBRC contribute to this? What about LIFEWATCH? How do this relate with observations from GMES / ARGO /EMSO… etc. ?

  7. GMES • A structured European framework, with a legal basis and political commitment, for environment monitoring and security • GMES marine core services will support operational oceanography • At the moment, satellite observation better sustained than in-situ observations  need to develop sustain EURO-ARGO, EMSO, Euro-Sites… • Physical and chemical observations more developed than biological Should GMES respond to MSFD needs (pressures on biodiversity, litter, noise… etc.)? Is it its role?

  8. MRI Projects and Initiatives (borrowed from A. Edwards) Projectse.g. Initiatives(can be) Selected Initiatives Obs. Sys. - International - Regional EU- National G E O S S EMECO, TENATSO R/S GMES MarineCore Service ESONET / EMSO In situ E M O D N E T Operational- Public- Commercial SB SB MOON SB Research- ERIC(European Research Infrastructure Consortium) EuroSITES SeaDataNet Euro-Argo ECOOP Indicative data flows: Eurofleets Ships of opportunity Mapping of EU sea beds / habitats LIFEWATCH / EMBRC

  9. MRI – starting with the needs Need for Full and Open Exchange Of Data Across Initiatives & Projects E M O D N E T

  10. How do we move from a project based approach to ocean observation to a permanent observation? Where does the funding come from to implement the sustained observing capacity and EMODNET? How do we ensure that a set of European marine observation initiatives converge to respond better to policy / societal needs? Can we have an overview and better coordinate EU contribution to global projects (e.g. ARGO) and initiatives (GMES - GEOSS / GOOS)? An initiative at European level to help address these challenges? MRI – some key issues

  11. The Joint Programming Initiative on "Healthy and Productive Seas and Oceans" Structure of the preliminary document Pillar 1: The marine system Pillar 2: The marine resources Pillar 3: Support to policy Indicative timetable Recommendation from Commission to Council on JPI « Oceans » in 2011 Vision document in 2011? Followed by SRA in 2012 (coordinated with SEASERA)?

  12. Distinctive characteristics of JPIs A flexible political commitment, which can make use of any community instrument Long term perspective (10 years +) Can potentially align member states and EU funding JPI « Oceans" makes a clear reference to the need to sustain and optimise MRI at EU level An adapted framework to move towards coordinated and sustained EU marine observation The Joint Programming Initiative on "Healthy and Productive Seas and Oceans"   - 2

  13. A European IOOS? • Eurocean Ostende declaration calls for support to JPI « Seas and Oceans » and European IOOS • How broad should this IOOS be? • What does it mean / require to integrate different sets of data: physical / chemical / biological / geological…? • How would such an initiative relate to GMES? • Can this expert group propose, in cooperation with MODEG, and political guidance from Commission / JPI, a vision document for a European IOOS?

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