EuroGOOS AISBL
EuroGOOS
EuroGOOS is an International Non-Profit Association of national governmental agencies and research organisations, committed to European-scale operational oceanography within the context of the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS), of the UNESCO's Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC-UNESCO).
ID: 658215019572-89
Lobbying Activity
Response to The European Oceans Pact
17 Feb 2025
The European Global Ocean Observing System, EuroGOOS, welcomes the European Oceans Pact as a crucial step toward improving policy coherence and creating a unified framework for ocean-related policies. Marine knowledge, supported by sustained ocean observations, is fundamental for implementing and monitoring policies effectively. 1. Enhancing the EUs Marine Knowledge Framework Continuous ocean observation and monitoring are vital for assessing ocean conditions and enabling informed decision-making. The Oceans Pact must prioritise ocean observing infrastructure and expertise while promoting coordination through initiatives like the European Ocean Observing System (EOOS). Strengthening observation efforts across Member States, including coastal and transitional waters, is essential for a fully integrated marine knowledge framework. Recognising ocean observations as a key blue economy sector will drive technological innovation, economic sustainability, and competitiveness. Public-private partnerships and systematic data provision to the Digital Twin Ocean (DTO) are critical to ensuring robust oceanographic services for the benefit of all. 2. Data Sharing and Integration A fully integrated and accessible marine data ecosystem is necessary for effective decision-making across all sectors. Aligning national, regional, and European ocean observing efforts, along with clear policies ensuring open and FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) data principles, will enhance data accessibility and usability. EuroGOOS promotes partnerships and knowledge sharing to support the development of distributed data platforms for FAIR ocean data. Strengthening collaboration between operational ocean observations and statutory monitoring, as well as engaging citizen science initiatives, will expand data collection and public awareness of ocean sustainability. A truly integrated marine data system, enriched through public-private and multi-sectoral collaboration, will provide timely and accurate forecasts, benefiting industries such as fisheries, transport, and maritime security. 3. Fostering Ocean Literacy and Education Ocean Literacy and education are crucial for the success of the European Oceans Pact. Raising awareness of the oceans socio-economic importance fosters sustainability, responsible stewardship, and cross-sectoral collaboration. EuroGOOS advocates for enhanced marine education and training in operational oceanography, technology, and data, reaching both professionals and the general public. Engaging citizens, policymakers, and industry through targeted events and dialogues will broaden awareness and support for ocean policies. Initiatives such as Youth Policy Dialogues can amplify young voices in shaping the future of ocean governance. EuroGOOS is committed to supporting these efforts through its Scientists for Ocean Literacy action under the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development 2021-2030. EuroGOOS stresses that the European Oceans Pact must strengthen support for ocean observations, marine data integration, and FAIR principles while promoting Ocean Literacy and capacity sharing. These efforts are fundamental for enhancing marine knowledge, advancing science-to-policy engagement, supporting a sustainable blue economy, and ensuring informed decision-making for the benefit of society and our ocean.
Read full responseResponse to Ocean Observation
18 Nov 2020
EuroGOOS welcomes the opportunity to react to the European Commission Inception Impact Assessment, Ocean Observation – Sharing Responsibility.
EuroGOOS is a unique voice of European oceanography representing national and regional interests, well established in the Global Ocean Observing System. Between the EuroGOOS association members and the members of the EuroGOOS regions, the EuroGOOS direct community counts about 100 oceanographic organizations in Europe. We stand ready to deliver a coordinated support to the European Commission’s ocean observation initiative, supporting joint planning of ocean observing activities and a framework for collaboration on a national and EU scale.
EuroGOOS supports a European Union initiative to bring together all Member States’ public bodies responsible for ocean observation to develop priorities and realise opportunities for sharing effort, as well as stronger EU funding support towards observations of common benefit. We believe this will help addressing the current lack of long-term sustainability of ocean observing efforts and the unbalance between the member states efforts, as well as improve synergy between the EU ocean observing support tools. It should be recognised that common European and global ocean observing needs should be served by centrally supported infrastructures, while the national capacities should be better coordinated across the agencies and authorities responsible for various parts of the ocean observing enterprise. A combination of EU and member states support towards ocean observing sustainability will help achieve policy coherence, support dialogue towards common solutions and identification of synergies and trade-offs, shed light on potential or perceived barriers, and sustain ocean observing efforts over time beyond research, funding, or electoral cycles.
Download our full response in the attached file.
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