1. Overview of Euro-Argo Preparatory Phase and status
AST-10 Hangzhou, March 22
P.Y. Le Traon, Ifremer
Euro-Argo: A new European Research Infrastructure
Coordinator:
Institut Français de Recherche pour l'Exploitation de la Mer - France

2. Euro-Argo : A new European research infrastructure
European contribution to a global ocean observatory
A significant component of the global Argo array of floats in operations
Requires strong international and European cooperation
Proposal : Europe establishes an infrastructure for ¼, i.e. 800 floats in operation
Requirement : 250 floats per year including regional enhancements (Nordic seas, Mediterranean&Black seas) (about 50 floats per year for regional enhancements)

3. Euro Argo Preparatory Phase (2008-2010) FP7 funding
Euro Argo Preparatory Phase ( ) FP7 funding. New European research infrastructure (ESFRI roadmap)
Main expected outcomes :
Agreement for long term (10-20 years) operation of Euro- Argo (financial, governance, organisation, technical). Member States and GMES.
Most technical and organizational issues to be solved.

4. Euro Argo Preparatory Phase partnership 12 countries, 15 partners
France: IFREMER (representing the multi- agency Coriolis project) + SHOM
Germany: BSH + Konsortium Deutsche Meeresforschung (KDM)
UK : Met Office and NERC.
Netherlands: KNMI
Spain: IEO
Italy: OGS
Ireland: Marine Institute
Norway : IMR
Portugal : FCCUL
Greece : HCMR
Bulgaria : USOF
Poland : IOPAS

5. 5

6. EURO ARGO PP in 2008/2009 see http://www.euro-argo.eu/
Kick Off 14/15 January, Ifremer, Brest
First European Argo User Group meeting (June, 2008 Southampton)
National discussions (ministerial level)
Define infrastructure and overall cost (almost done)
Interactions with GMES bureau (2 meetings)
Interactions with ESFRI (update of roadmap published in 2008)
Meetings and conferences (Eurogoos, GMES forum, GODAE, ESFRI)
Legal and organization structure (to be decided mid 2009)
Links with international structure (Argo, Jcomm)
First annual meeting (Hamburg) (20-22 January)
Joint discussion with GMES, DG Research and DG Mare (April, 2009)
Second European Argo User Group meeting (Trieste, June 17-19, 2009)
Decision on legal and governance structure (September 2009)
Decision/commitments on long term funding (EC, Member States) (end of 2009).
see

7. Euro-Argo progress
Several reports on infrastructure description, costs, float technology, deployement issues, data processing issues and improvements, impact of Argo data
Float technology tests : Arvor-Iridium, Argos3, Sea Ice and O2 sensors
Strengthening the user community in Europe
Trying to secure national funding and attracting new countries
EC long term funding and GMES
Definition and agreement on the future governance and legal structure

8. Towards a long term Euro-Argo Research Infrastructure (RI)
Objectives of the RI
Better, more efficient coordination and cooperation
Significant increase of European Argo contribution
attract EC funding and secure sound funding base (national and EC)
Improve the links with the international structure
A central facility (Central RI) & Distributed national facilities
Gouvernance model defined (council, board, scientific and technical AG).
Coordination of European contribution to Argo (floats procured at national and through the central facility).
Need a legal structure for the central RI
To receive EC (GMES) and national (member states) funding.
To procure floats (includes logicitics and test facilities).
To provide funding to the AIC
The centralized structure
2 (minimum) to 4-5 people funded by Euro-Argo members and by the EC

9. Long –term plan from Euro-Argo partners
France - 65 floats (50 Ifremer, 15 SHOM). Yearly budgets but stable
Germany - 50 floats (5-year) – operational line + 10 research mode
United Kingdom floats (aspiration 45 floats).
Spain: 20 floats in 2009 (inc. 8 Med Sea). Long term plans under discussion.
Greece : 2 floats in 2009/ Plan for 4-5 floats/year
Italy : 3 floats in Initial plan of 30 floats/year not accepted.
Poland : 2 floats in Plan for 2/3 floats/year
Portugual : setting up of a consortium (proposal). Good prospects.
Ireland, Norway, Netherlands : no commitments for 2009.
Bulgaria : 1 or 2 floats (goal) – Black Sea.
A minimum target of 150 floats/year is realistic. EC funding needed to reach our goal (250 floats/year)

10. Euro Argo and GMES
Argo is the single most important global/regional in-situ observing system for the GMES Marine Core Service.
Delivers critical data for assimilation in ocean forecasting models, climate monitoring and seasonal to decadal forecasting.
Feasibility demonstrated. Maturity. Ready for pre-operational implementation.
It is thus essential for GMES (as it is for satellite data) to ensure that over the next 10 to 20 years, Argo will continue to provide the required global temperature and salinity observations. 
Float technology will also evolve in the coming years to include new sensors (e.g. oxygen, biology) and new capabilities (e.g. under ice measurements) that are essential to the MCS.

11. Funding issues
Estimation of Euro Argo cost is about 7.5 Meuros/year. Based on planned Member States contributions (4-5 Meuros/year), a direct EC funding (through GMES and DG Research) of about 2 to 3 Meuros/year focused on activities of European relevance will be needed (see below) from 2010.

12. Towards a long-term direct funding from the EC
EC fully recognizes the need and importance to fund part of Euro-Argo. Good prospects for the post 2013 funding phase (GMES). Situation more difficult/complex in the short term.
: several EC funding lines are explored
FP7 funding through GMES (FP7 Space) in a 2010 call
DG Research / FP7 Capacities for post preparatory phase funding.
DG Mare
Euro-Argo part of a proposed “operational” GMES funding line (depends on decisions on long-term funding for GMES).
Meeting end of April in Brussels with the EC