Marine knowledge 2020

The European Commission is setting up an informal expert group to advice the Commission with the scientific, technical and operational expertise on matters concerning marine observation notably by:

Knowledge of our seas and oceans is essential for developing the blue economy and improving marine management. Gaining this knowledge requires putting together data collected by hundreds of bodies - research institutes, geological surveys, hydrographic offices, environmental agencies - into a coherent picture. EMODnet, the European Marine Observation and Data Network is working for this task.

Commissioner Karmenu Vella, responsible for Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, today announced a set of actions that will include a major political initiative on international ocean governance next year. Based on a wide public consultation and listening tour, this initiative reaffirms the European Commission's commitment to better international ocean governance and will strengthen the EU’s external action in this regard.

Nearly all scientists and engineers involved in analysing our seas and oceans agree on the need for a more coordinated approach to observing and surveying the ocean.

A new video that illustrates the key role of science in contributing to the so called 'Blue Growth', the maritime contribution to achieving the goals of the Europe 2020 strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth.

The Commission is advancing in achieving its marine knowledge objectives with the release of a new digital map of Europe's seabed topography with a higher resolution than had previously been publicly available; about 230 metres compared to 1 kilometre before the launch of the European Marine Observation and Data Network (EMODnet).

Whilst considerable progress has been made in mapping the topography of Europe's offshore waters and making the data available through digital terrain models, it is intrinsically more expensive to measure the depth of water in shallow coastal waters because of instrument characteristics and because there is a need to join up with land surveys.

Speech by Maria Damanaki, European Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries at the press conference on Blue Innovation

Why do we need innovation in the blue economy?

The European Commission today set out proposals to support "Innovation in the Blue Economy" (see IP/14/536) by creating an information platform on marine research in the European Union, sharing already available data and completing a detailed sea-bed map of European waters by 2020, among other measures.

Two thirds of our planet is covered by oceans and seas. If we manage them in a responsible manner, they can provide sources of food, medicine and energy while protecting ecosystems for generations to come.

On 29 August 2012, the European Commission launched a Green Paper consultation on its "Marine Knowledge 2020" initiative.

Outcome of Public Consultation. Executive Summary.

A new study has highlighted how better access to interoperable marine data can support growth in the blue economy by stimulating innovation and reducing uncertainty in knowledge of the sea's behaviour.

The European Commission has adopted the second Progress report on the EU's 2007 Integrated Maritime Policy. By facilitating the cooperation of all maritime players across sectors and borders, and by avoiding duplication of spending and efforts, the Integrated Maritime Policy has enhanced the sustainable development of the European maritime economy, while contributing to a better protection of the marine environment.

The oceans and seas that surround Europe offer new opportunities for growth and jobs to meet the Europe 2020 goals. To best tap this potential, we need to know more about what is happening under ...

Knowledge base for growth and innovation in ocean economy: assembly and dissemination of marine data for seabed mapping

Speech by Commissioner Damanaki at the International Hydrographic Conference in Monaco