Ocean Observations: the European landscape MARITIME AFFAIRS Ocean Observations: the European landscape Iain Shepherd 16 September 2010

Cost of Ocean Observation in EU space data €400 million per year in-situ data > €1 billion per year

vast majority of users are dissatisfied with status quo

Maria Damanaki, Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (..) the data collected through these observations can only generate knowledge and innovation if Europe's engineers and scientists are able to find, access, assemble and apply them efficiently and rapidly. At present this is often not the case.

adopted 8 September 2010

objectives reduce operational costs and delays for those who use marine data and therefore: helping private industry compete improving the quality of public decision-making at all levels; strengthening marine scientific research increase competition and innovation amongst users; reduce uncertainty in knowledge of the oceans

current EU support Bathymetry ur-EMODnet WISE marine Geology Physics Parameters collection assembling application Bathymetry ur-EMODnet WISE marine Geology Physics GMES (space) GMES (except near coast) , ur-EMODnet GMES, Fisheries (including fisheries economy) Data Collection Framework Joint Research Centre (and other users) ICES, STECF, GFCM, Chemistry WISE-Marine Biology ur-EMODnet, GMES WISE Marine Human activity (other than fisheries) Coastal data Eurostat

improvement of existing instruments convergence of initiatives action plan improvement of existing instruments convergence of initiatives creation of European marine data architecture

(1) improve existing instruments make EU-supported data available for re-use. follow-up the EU Recommendation on Integrated Coastal Zone Management demonstrate GMES marine services until 2014. Follow-ups are being considered. provide better access to fisheries data. couple WISE-Marine and EMODnet. improve the coverage of data, resolution and range of assembled parameters in EMODnet ensure that EU Agencies regularly release data. encourage Member States in the same spirit to release data provide better parameterization of the coastal influence in territorial regions for statistics.

(2) convergence of initiatives ensure common standards progressive alignment of data policies. The ultimate aim is to provide free access without restriction of use ensuring that the data assembled in initiatives such as ur-EMODnet or the Data Collection Framework are appropriate for the needs of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive specific ur-EMODnet action to assemble physical in-situ data as input for GMES, In 2012-2013 assess gaps in the monitoring network. begin a dialogue with partner countries and international organisations. .

(3) creation of European marine data architecture observation curation national data centres thematic assembly groups to assemble all data of a particular type (eg chemical concentration) sea-basin checkpoints independently check data layers from each thematic assembly group, ensure that the data from different groups are mutually compatible define priorities for further observations

(3) creation of European marine data architecture European industry should dedicate adequate resources to ensure adequate safeguarding of knowledge more communication amongst national data centres to promote good practice in data curation and dissemination. explore how a sea-basin checkpoint might work by setting up pilots in 2011-2013 Governance 2011-2013 set up a prototype secretariat Commission defines priorities develop a proposal for more permanent governance.

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