Marine Research Infrastructures as a Factor in Regional Competitiveness

Professor Peter HerzigDirector, IFM-GEOMAR

German Marine Research Consortium KDM

Marine Research Infrastructures

European Strategic Forum on Research Infrastructures (ESFRI)

roadmap currently includes (but is not limited to)

European Multidisciplinary Seafloor Observatory EMSO EUROArgo European Marine Biological Resource Centre Aurora Borealis

Value-Added of Marine Infrastructures: The Example of the Observatories

EMSO (European Multidisciplinary Seafloor Observatory) is a planned European-scale network of seafloor observatories and platforms

long-term, real-time monitoring of environmental changes early-warning of natural hazards geographically distributed infrastructure European waters: Arctic, North Sea, Atlantic, Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea

European Multidisciplinary Seafloor Observatory

Argo and EUROArgo (Global Ocean Observing Infrastructure)

global array of >3.000 free-drifting profiling floats measure continuously temperature and salinity of the upper 2.000 m of the ocean document seasonal to decadal climate variability improve our capability for prediction data being relayed and made publicly available within hours after collection

Value-Added of Marine Infrastructures: The Example of the Observatories

Argo and EUROArgo

Marine Observatories: Gaps and Needs Major Needs reducing loss of life and property from natural and human-

induced ocean disasters improving management of ocean energy resources understanding, assessing, predicting, mitigating and

adapting to climate variability and change improving weather information, forecasting and warning improving the management and protection of coastal and

marine ecosystems understanding, monitoring and conserving biodiversity

Marine Observatories: Gaps and Needs

Major Gaps geographical areas often not well covered critical areas are not well covered early warning systems are not installed:

earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, submarine slides, tsunamis long-term observation of critical parameters is lacking secured funding, master plan and overall coordination

are missing

Requirements and Roadmap

Strategic Orientation

develop long-term strategic plan for European infrastructures analyse existing & indentify additionally needed infrastructures maximise synergies at EU level and within member states

Financial Implementation secure long-term financing for construction, installation and

operation of infrastructures

Requirements and Roadmap

Operational Sustainability

document long-term value-added of the infrastructures for coastal states and regions and the EU as a whole

Sustainable Management Structures

establish effective and efficient management structures involve scientists, operators and users (e.g. society and

industry)

Benefits to the Regions disaster prediction, mitigation and/or prevention: earthquakes,

submarine slides, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis

maritime and environmental services as delivered by coastal observatories for windpark impacts, water quality, coastal erosion, for sustainable fishing

climate change data: regional changes in precipitation, storm intensity, loss of biodiversity

cooperation & networking between scientists and operational services (hydrographic and shipping services, coast guards)

innovation: technology development and job creation in SMEs

Ocean and Seafloor Observatories as European Marine Infrastructures

THE EUROPEAN OCEAN –

• 3 million km2

• 68.000 km of coast line• four seas, two oceans• surface area equal to total landmass of Europe

more than 50% of the territory under the jurisdiction of EU Member States

is under water