Marine Microbiome Exploratory Workshops Agenda What is the Marine Microbiome & what are we trying to achieve with this What has been done Iceland and Norway - need to explore/map the activities What is being planned in next 6-8 months? The workshop and its three pillars and follow up workshops What inputs needed from WGs Aquaculture – provide feed for increased production, micromes in gut/feed (“alignement of R&D in new areas of common interest” – presentation at the 6 Dec meeting) Ocean observation and mapping – “strengthening the focus on habitats and biology”, “Atlantic Ocean blueprint”, OceanObs’19 EA2OHS, Ecosystem approach and Ocean health&stressors – final WS in April Ocean literacy - ?? Marine Microbiome Exploratory Workshops

Marine Microbiome “The marine microbiome is the total of microorganisms and viruses in the ocean and seas and in any connected environment, including the seafloor and marine animals and plants.“ “The diversity of microbial life remains unquantified and largely unknown, and could represent a hidden treasure for human society.” There is no reason for waiting The microbiome comprises all of the genetic material within a microbiota (the entire collection of microorganisms in a specific niche, such as the human gut). This can also be referred to as the metagenome of the microbiota. The Marine Microbiome An Untapped Source of Biodiversity and Biotechnological Potential Editors: Stal, Lucas J., Cretoiu, Mariana Silvia (Eds.)

Why R&D on Microbial Systems Request for more knowledge about the broad spectra of participants in ocean biochemical cycles has increased in line with our awareness of anthropogenic pressures on marine ecosystems It impossible to ignore the threats to the fundamental ecosystem services provided by the oceans The North Atlantic in particular is subjected to changes on various scales Ocean currents > regulator of distribution of heat / climate Ocean acidification > there is no ability to adapt or change Cold sea holds CO2 better, i.e. acidity increases at faster rate in the Arctic Increased pressure

Challenges to resolve Food production Food security Effort Affect Purpose is to explore possibilities and synergies in the North Atlantic and the Arctic Ocean in regards to microbiome The challenge is to create new knowledge for societal benefits, such as understand the impact of climate change Food production Food security Environmental challenges through ecosystem monitoring Innovation through the biotechnology toolbox and biorefineries Goal 14: By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology, taking into account the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Criteria and Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology, in order to improve ocean health and to enhance the contribution of marine biodiversity to the development of developing countries, in particular small island developing States and least developed countries - by increasing the proportion of total research budget allocated to research in the field of marine technology Minimize and address the impacts of ocean acidification, including through enhanced scientific cooperation at all levels

Workshop overview - Pillars Marine Microbiome Prospecting Food Value Chain Environment & Climate Prospecting Utilisation of microbiome information, e.g. new genes Environment & Climate Ecological effect Monitoring climate effects on ocean health Food value chain Biomass health and growth Food security Seafood processing Aquaculture feed Food product development Prospecting Gather info on available data and how to exploit those. Utilisation of microbiome information, e.g. new genes Environment & Climate Ecology and how do we monitor the changes and ocean health? Food value chain How do we validate the biomass health&growth? How do we turn our knowledge into product development? What is the role of microbiomes?

AORA; a facilitator for cooperation Important issue for all countries with direct access to the North Atlantic and the Arctic An opportunity to enhance science that is of importance for a major scientific theme of our time The opportunity will be explored thoroughly the last year of AORA Through a series of workshops – we start in Reykjavik (or Brussels) The ocean is changing and we are not investing enough in R&D to follow/understand these changes Need more international cooperation AORA can be the facilitator for this cooperation

Planned activities Microbiome CSA Common Ground Workshop Vienna 4/5 March 2019 Workshop June 27 in Brussels Workshop Sep/Oct in Reykjavik