1. EMECO (European Marine Ecosystem Observatory) & Western Shelf Observatory Dave Mills (Cefas) Remi Laane (Deltares) (David.mills@cefas.co.uk) ‘Creating better evidence and new knowledge about our coastal seas’

2. Question Marine Infrastructures, Brussels, Dec 2010 ‘To what extent can EMECO contribute to the build of a more integrated European observing system that can serve the needs of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive?’

3. NERC SOFI Workshop The problem – policy pull The evidence must be: –Based on sound science –Underpinned with reliable quality assured data –Transparent and auditable (from sensor to advice) –Collected efficiently and cost effectively –Able to withstand legal scrutiny National government needs evidence to meet their international and EU policy obligations Policy drivers: –OSPAR, HELCOM –Nitrates Directive –Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive –Water Framework Directive –Birds and Habitats Directive –MSFD –Others

4. Marine Infrastructures, Brussels, Dec 2010 Assessment of eutrophication Assessments challenged Infraction proceedings – UWWTD (France, UK) National assessments – not universally approved  Why Differences in interpretation of policy e.g. eutrophication Lack of consistency and coherence Needs More & better information Outcome to 2nd Application OSPAR CP Problem Area Non -Problem Area Potential Problem Area

5. Marine Infrastructures, Brussels, Dec 2010 MSFD Descriptors Desc 1Biodiversity Desc 2Invasive Species Desc 5Eutrophication Desc 8Contaminants & pollution Desc 10Marine Litter Desc 6Seafloor Desc 4Food Webs Desc 7Hydrography Desc 11Energy Desc 3Commercial species Desc 9Fish shellfish hygiene “The marine environment is a precious heritage that must be protected, restored and treated as such with the ultimate aim of providing biologically diverse and dynamic oceans and seas that are safe, clean, healthy and productive.”

6. Marine Infrastructures, Brussels, Dec 2010 Marine Framework Strategy Directive Policy (and science) questions “Good Environmental Status” What indicators – cause and effect Reference conditions, assessment methods Setting assessments into context, distinguishing between anthropogenic and natural causes of measured changes to ecosystem Ecosystem based approach Cross boundary – assessment at the right scale Physics to fish Monitoring and assessment sustained for time scale of requirements - decades

7. Marine Infrastructures, Brussels, Dec 2010 100m & 1.4 billion € spent on monitoring in UK & EU Pressure to reduce costs Pressure for openness, accountability, sharing and access New observational strategies, tools, & technologies Many players with diverse ‘systems’ – no common ‘language’ Partnership & collaboration the way forward The case for change ! Ferries Satellites Research vessels Gliders Buoys Models Towed bodies CPR

8. Marine Infrastructures, Brussels, Dec 2010 The science (& technology) push Most marine observatories science lead –Hypothesis driven, technology driven –Short term (R&D) funding and goals –Policy uptake an afterthought –Spatial scale relevant to science question Primarily science driven papers at ESF observatories meeting Thrust of that meeting was observatories for science not for policy ! Avoid the ‘solution’ in search of a ‘problem’

9. Marine Infrastructures, Brussels, Dec 2010 3/5 Integrated monitoring R.V. Cefas Endeavour Traditional approach Autonomous data buoys Cefas SmartBuoys Remote sensing CPR Data poor to data rich Numerical models Data rich to information rich Integrated approach SmartBuoys Ferries FerryBox

10. Marine Infrastructures, Brussels, Dec 2010 Integrated assessments WHY Efficient use of resources Strengthen the evidence base Reduce uncertainty Add confidence to assessments Assessments able to withstand legal scrutiny Assessment variable Threshold Above line + Below line -

11. Marine Infrastructures, Brussels, Dec 2010 EMECO Stakeholder Engagement User generated maps ‘Agreed’ international map of chlorophyll Transparent information product with estimate of confidence Step towards EU harmonisation Towards a Data Integration & Assessment System

12. Building the partnerships… Marine Infrastructures, Brussels, Dec 2010 EMECO – NOOS North Sea Observatory meeting Lowestoft June 2009 Western Shelf Observatory Kick-Off meeting AFBI, Belfast June 2010

13. Marine Infrastructures, Brussels, Dec 2010 EMECO - European Marine Ecosystem Observatory UK-Cefas, EA, NOC, SAHFOS; NL-Rijkswaterstaat, Deltares, NIOZ, Norway-IMR, NERSC, Met Off; DE- GKSS, BSH, BE – MUMM, F – IFREMER, RoE – Marine Institute, Denmark – NIVA; S - SMHI Builds on existing infrastructure Multi-scale – time & space Supports Ecosystem Based Management Promotes interoperability Anticipates EU current & future policy needs MSFD EMECO is a an informal European network for integration of monitoring, modelling & research. www.emecogroup.org Creating better evidence and new knowledge

14. Marine Infrastructures, Brussels, Dec 2010 EMECO - Western Shelf Observatory (www.westernshelfobservatory.org) ‘ The EMECO Western Shelf Observatory is an integrated programme of sustained marine observing systems that will improve knowledge and understanding of marine ecosystems. It will strengthen the evidence base for environmental assessments, underpin future research, increase uptake of marine data and information and address gaps in current marine monitoring, modelling and research.’ Partner Programmes Western Channel Observatory Irish Sea Observatory Ship survey, inshore buoy network, offshore mooring (AFBI) Cefas SmartBuoy and Wavenet Irish (MI) monitoring programme - instrumenting met buoys Ellet Line, Tiree mooring Marine Scotland monitoring CPR routes FerryBox lines PAP Eurosites mooring

15. NERC SOFI Workshop EMECO – WSO Science questions To what extent is the carrying capacity of European shelf seas determined by exchange of nutrients across the shelf Is the outcome to environmental assessments (e.g. eutrophication) influenced by shelf-edge processes To what extent is ecosystem health (structure and vigour) in the inner shelf regions influenced by shelf edge processes How will this far field forcing be influenced by climate change How will understanding of these interactions influence environmental assessments of inner shelf regions and advice to policy end users? Can we use the new observations to better determine background and therefore reference conditions for environmental assessments of our shelf seas.

16. NERC SOFI Workshop EMECO - Western Shelf Observatory Map Room An exercise in scaling ! (www.westernshelfobservatory.org)

17. Marine Infrastructures, Brussels, Dec 2010 Making a difference……..

18. Marine Infrastructures, Brussels, Dec 2010 EMECO – Information & evidence pipeline ICES Delayed mode EMECO Datatool Interface EMECO Assessment database EMECO User Query Data XML, CSV EMECO Web – enabled Datatools Assessment map KML–Google Earth Calibration Validation Gridded data Real time CPR Delayed mode QA’d Data Marine Core Service Provision Delayed mode Data Archive Centres UK Real time & delayed mode Time-series/trends

19. Marine Infrastructures, Brussels, Dec 2010 EMECO – Information & evidence pipeline ICES Delayed mode EMECO Datatool Interface EMECO Assessment database EMECO User Query Data XML, CSV EMECO Web – enabled Datatools Assessment map Time-series KML–Google Earth Calibration Validation Gridded data Data Archive Centres Real time CPR Delayed mode QA’d Data Marine Core Service Provision Delayed mode A streamlined ‘on-line’ assessment system that:- “enables rapid integration and assessment of multi-national, multi-agency multi-platform, and multi-variate data” UK

20. Marine Infrastructures, Brussels, Dec 2010 An integrated monitoring & assessment system for the North Sea - Objectives To consolidate a North Sea Observatory to provide a network of routine measurements of biological, chemical and physical variables encompassing ships, moorings, ships of opportunity, satellites and modelling. To improve coordination and efficiency of current operational programmes to include promoting interoperability of sustained observations in the observatory between partners. To develop a shared vision and strategy between funders of sustained observations and monitoring programmes by engagement at a national and European level To ensure the observatory includes all the relevant partners To demonstrate that the North Sea Observatory can make a positive difference: by improving marine scientific evidence and creating new knowledge

21. Marine Infrastructures, Brussels, Dec 2010 How do we do it Prepare costed proposal to EMODNET Tasks –Build on detailed review of current monitoring and sustained observing programmes e.g. EEA GISC-GMES report and other prior work (EuroGOOS, EDIOS, OOS’s) What observations, where, who, why Current costs Assess level of interoperability –Agree requirements Better scientific evidence – at the scale of policy need New knowledge Stakeholder engagement –Develop agreed plan to meet needs Fill gaps –Identify new products Further develop EMECO datatools Clarity about information needs is critical !

22. Marine Infrastructures, Brussels, Dec 2010 How do we do it How –Workshop - bringing key policy, science, monitoring community together for each country –User requirement analysis – what do we need to measure, where, how, –Interoperability survey and gap analysis Resources –Approx 50k € for proposal preparation –250 – 300k € for delivery of proposal –1 year –Planning and implementation group Outcome (Report) –Detailed knowledge of monitoring in North Sea (both policy and science driven) –Clarity about costs –User needs assessment – policy and science (evidence and knowledge) –Strategic (and costed) plan to address gaps –Engage (stakeholders) to sustain !

23. Marine Infrastructures, Brussels, Dec 2010 UK-MECO

24. NERC SOFI Workshop Smart Buoy WN CPR e Fish Tag Other sites Dowsing Warp Nodes CPR Route 1 CPR Route 2 CPR Route … Bottom Lander Nodes Fish Vess 1 Fish Vess 2 Vessel Satellites UK Integrated Observatories e-Infrastructure Fish Vessel FV CPR FB Endeavour Observin g system Sensor WCO ISO GMES Models ICES FB Cefas Mon Net NOC FB PAP AFBI Buoys RV survey DAC - Fish DAC - Merman DAC – Oceanog. MEDIN Community Hub GIS EMECO DAC – Species DAC – Bathy DAC Services MarSc

25. NERC SOFI Workshop Smart Buoy WN CPR e Fish Tag Other sites Dowsing Warp Nodes CPR Route 1 CPR Route 2 CPR Route … Bottom Lander Nodes Fish Vess 1 Fish Vess 2 Vessel Satellites Fish Vessel FV CPR FB Endeavour Observin g system Sensor WCO ISO GMES Models ICES FB Cefas Mon Net NOC FB PAP AFBI Buoys RV survey DAC - Fish DAC - Merman DAC – Oceanog. DAC – Species DAC – Bathy DAC MarSc Tools & Services Data discovery Data catalogue Mashup tools Community models GIS/Mapping tools Auto cal/val UK Integrated Observatories e-Infrastructure

26. Marine Infrastructures, Brussels, Dec 2010 Marine Information and Evidence Pipeline Datatool Interface Assessment database User Query Data XML, CSV Assessment map Time-series/trends KML–Google Earth Gridded data Sea Level Ocean Color SST Sea Ice & Wind In Situ Physics Chemistry Geology Biology Bathymetry Ur-EMODNET Lots GMES MCS TAC CPR

27. Marine Infrastructures, Brussels, Dec 2010 Marine Information and Evidence Pipeline Datatool Interface Assessment database User Query Data XML, CSV Assessment map Time-series/trends KML–Google Earth Gridded data Sea Level Ocean Color SST Sea Ice & Wind In Situ Physics Chemistry Geology Biology Bathymetry Ur-EMODNET Lots GMES MCS TAC CPR A WISE Move !

28. Marine Infrastructures, Brussels, Dec 2010 Summary Major challenges to address –Better evidence – policy pull –New knowledge – science push –How do we align ? Pressure on resources (UK up to 30% budget reductions) Do more with less Quick wins –Build on progress, modernisation, make best use of all resources, engage to sustain EMODNET can play a key role in meeting the challenge. And the answer to the question……..

29. ‘To what extent can EMECO contribute to the build of a more integrated European observing system that can serve the needs of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive?’ Marine Infrastructures, Brussels, Dec 2010 EMECO already hold the vision of why the community needs to work together –To meet EU policy evidence needs –To address key science question with a strong policy relevance –To make a difference ! Addressing the challenge –From physics to fish - an ECOSYSTEM observatory –Building partnerships at the spatial (regional) scale required for policy delivery –Build an open and transparent ‘integration and assessment system’ to meet policy needs EMECO provides a solution to a problem – not a homeless solution!

30. Marine Infrastructures, Brussels, Dec 2010 The End

31. Integrating physical, chemical and biological data What does it mean What does it entail How does it serve the needs of the MSFD Marine Infrastructures, Brussels, Dec 2010

32. What does it mean The act of combining parts to make a unified and harmonious whole. –The parts are things that we measure (or simulate) –At what point do you combine the parts data and in what order –Combining same data for same variable Measured using same method/platform Measured using different methods/platform Disparate in time and space Marine Infrastructures, Brussels, Dec 2010

33. What does it entail Depends on requirements ! Demonstrate intercomparability – intercalibration –Does same method use by different, people, laboratories give an acceptable level of agreement When do we do it in the work flow Render data into same format (e.g. XML) Integrating across time and space scales Marine Infrastructures, Brussels, Dec 2010

34. Why do we want to integrate Science (better knowledge) –Want to understand relationships between bits Policy (better evidence) –Increasing pool of data for assessment may lead to an increase in confidence –Assessment methodology – we have to do it to meet end-user needs Marine Infrastructures, Brussels, Dec 2010

35. But what’s the real reason? The world is unity – when we measure it we break it into bits or parts In order to understand it we reassemble (integrate) those bits (according to theory) So integration is required to understand the world ie to interpret what the bits mean when joined together Important to do this in an open and transparent way ! Marine Infrastructures, Brussels, Dec 2010