1. www.esf.org/marineboard First Marine Board Forum – 15 May 2008 - Oostende Marine Data Challenges: from Observation to Information From observation to data to information for scientists, policymakers… and the industry Jean-François MINSTER Total S.A. How inappropriate to call this planet Earth when it is quite clearly Ocean! Arthur C. Clarke

2. www.esf.org/marineboard First Marine Board Forum First Marine Board Forum 15 May 2008 – Oostende (Belgium) Challenges for Ocean Sciences Knowledge of an integrated dynamic system Addressing major socio-economic issues – Climate and environmental effects – Exploitation of energy and resources – Coastal management and maritime transport … Enhancement and sustainability of ocean exploitation needs understanding and information

3. www.esf.org/marineboard First Marine Board Forum First Marine Board Forum 15 May 2008 – Oostende (Belgium) Challenges for Ocean Information Variety of scientific competences and technologies From small projects to large integrated programs Variety of Research infrastructures (50% of cost) – RV, in situ networks; experimental facilities; large computer center; satellites; data system. Supporting strategic evolutions – Long term observatories; operational oceanography – Providing information to a variety of users

4. www.esf.org/marineboard First Marine Board Forum First Marine Board Forum 15 May 2008 – Oostende (Belgium) Elements of an European consolidating approach Establishing MS as a strategic component of maritime policies Elaborating a comprehensive science perspective Sharing approaches in infrastructure investment and management Networking institutes and teams (National and European) Integrating operational oceanography at the EU Scale (GMES and GEO)

5. www.esf.org/marineboard First Marine Board Forum First Marine Board Forum 15 May 2008 – Oostende (Belgium) Back to Galway May 2004 … To ensure that recognition is taken at Member State and European Community Level of: –the crucial role of the oceans in climate, carbon cycle and Life on Earth. –the major contribution maritime industries can make to the achievement of the objectives outlined in the Lisbon Agenda. –the essential role of marine science and technology in generating the knowledge needed to fuel this economic achievement in harmony with the environment. –the critical role the European Research Area / 7th Framework Programme must play in supporting world class excellence in marine science & technology.

6. www.esf.org/marineboard First Marine Board Forum First Marine Board Forum 15 May 2008 – Oostende (Belgium) Some political priorities of the Blue Paper Marine spatial planning / integrated management of sea space Predicting and mitigating impact of climate change, particularly on coastal regions More sustainable maritime transport Sustainable exploitation of marine resources Networking maritime surveillance Maritime / Marine clusters International cooperation (Importance of Mediterranean and potential of outermost regions) The ecosystem based approach of sea based activities is a central principle

7. www.esf.org/marineboard First Marine Board Forum First Marine Board Forum 15 May 2008 – Oostende (Belgium)

8. www.esf.org/marineboard First Marine Board Forum First Marine Board Forum 15 May 2008 – Oostende (Belgium) Some important evolutions along the (short) « Navigating the Future » history Encompassing all issues from « fundamental » to « applications » Scientific questions and means to address them Eg : infrastructures, observatories, technologies Taking onboard major achievements NoE, Integrated projects, ESFRI, maritime policy Improving coherency between European and National plans Identifying some expected scientific progress Among next challenges : better assessing the information requirements

9. www.esf.org/marineboard First Marine Board Forum First Marine Board Forum 15 May 2008 – Oostende (Belgium) Examples of thematic networks and programs  Coastal Science, policy and practice  European seafloor observatory network …  European Census of Marine Life  Hotspot of Ecosystems  Rapid climate change  Marine carbon source and sinks … All issues leading to long-terms observation needs Transformation of the scientific questions

10. www.esf.org/marineboard First Marine Board Forum First Marine Board Forum 15 May 2008 – Oostende (Belgium) Networking (The Role of Marine Sciences in Ocean Sustainability and Global Change October 8, Oceanario de Lisbo, Portugal) 10

11. www.esf.org/marineboard First Marine Board Forum First Marine Board Forum 15 May 2008 – Oostende (Belgium) Three tools for working together Networking the efforts : a joint forum A common information unit Joint offices in Oostende Sharing strategic vision Facilitating communication Sharing experience Creating the conditions for integrated Science and Technology in Europe

12. www.esf.org/marineboard First Marine Board Forum First Marine Board Forum 15 May 2008 – Oostende (Belgium) Infrastructure

13. www.esf.org/marineboard First Marine Board Forum First Marine Board Forum 15 May 2008 – Oostende (Belgium) Research vessels Vessels and their equipments Benchmarking with us Operation practices Key investments needs To be broadened to operational vessels

14. www.esf.org/marineboard First Marine Board Forum First Marine Board Forum 15 May 2008 – Oostende (Belgium) From Mersea to My Ocean Topaz, No Foam, UK DMI, Dk MFS, It Mercator, Fr

15. www.esf.org/marineboard First Marine Board Forum First Marine Board Forum 15 May 2008 – Oostende (Belgium) OSTIA April 21 2008 MERSEA 1/12° April 21 2008

16. www.esf.org/marineboard First Marine Board Forum First Marine Board Forum 15 May 2008 – Oostende (Belgium) Information as seen from an end-user Reduce risks of operation Personal, environment, production, credibility In a variety of operation steps Exploration, development, field operation, transport, terminal life Including accidental conditions Designing constraints From the surface to the bottom For a life time of 20 years plus Including long term changes (eg climate) Conservatism of informations Cost-benefit analysis Reliability of services A variety of informations Accumulate know-how – return of experience Possible access to facilities – data acquisition

17. www.esf.org/marineboard First Marine Board Forum First Marine Board Forum 15 May 2008 – Oostende (Belgium) Some conclusions Information must be scientifically supported Creating European Operational Oceanography requires Marine European Research Area Information needs must be defined by users Interlinking end-users and scientific developments needs to be enhanced Information systems need infrastructures In situ operational infrastructures still need work GMES core service is under construction Most informations are to be provided by down-stream services