Joint Programming Initiative Healthy and Productive Seas and Oceans
JPI Oceans
JPI Oceans is a pan-European platform aiming to increase efficiency and impact of research and innovation.
ID: 299095751954-90
Lobbying Activity
Response to The European Oceans Pact
17 Feb 2025
JPI Oceans Internal Advisory Committee welcomes the opportunity to respond to the Call for Evidence for a European Oceans Pact, sharing three high-level opinions essential for its success beyond individual sectors and interests! 1. Strengthen science-based knowledge for coherent policy making and implementation. JPI Oceans member countries prioritize policy making informed by sound scientific knowledge, co-designed by stakeholders and diverse experts. Marine scientific excellence supports sustainable decision-making, benefiting both people and the environment while ensuring policies reinforce rather than counteract each other. However, science-based approaches face threats from budget cuts, misinformation, and ideology-driven discourse. A sustainable blue economy, environmental integrity, and maritime safety require investment in knowledge generation rather than reliance on political opinions. JPI Oceans has demonstrated effective knowledge delivery on marine issues like microplastics, deep-sea mining, cumulative stressors, sea level rise, maritime technology, blue bioeconomy, and underwater munitions. We call for the Oceans Pact to strategically prioritize scientific marine knowledge, research, and innovation. This requires strong European R&I programs, diplomatic engagement beyond the EU, business incentives for private sector involvement, dual-use opportunities, and integration of social and legal expertise. 2. Coordinate and support established instruments for Oceans Pact implementation. JPI Oceans member countries value the effectiveness of joint programming, which has structured European research alignment and delivered high-impact outputs. However, the increasing complexity of the EUs marine research landscape, with new initiatives like the EU Mission Ocean, Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership, and upcoming water KIC, risks fragmentation and duplication. The Oceans Pacts implementation strategy should build on existing marine instruments rather than creating additional ones. A European governance framework could clarify roles and responsibilities, ensuring efficient resource use. Long-term planning should extend beyond election cycles and Horizon framework programs, allowing for strategic maturation of implementation mechanisms. 3. Prioritize ocean observing and stewardship within the Oceans Pact. The Oceans Pact aims to strengthen the blue economy, environmental health, research, innovation, maritime safety, and policy efficiency. Instead of catering to every individual stakeholder, the Pact should ensure the efficient provision of marine observation, data, and knowledge as a foundation for achieving these goals. Leveraging the European Ocean Observing System (EOOS) would enhance impact through increased support and a stronger mandate. Currently, ocean observing falls short of the Pacts ambitions. It relies heavily on short-term public funding, while blue economy sectors contribute less than their potential. National monitoring under policies like the MSFD lacks coordination, and observation-to-knowledge value chains remain fragile. The Oceans Pact should establish sustained funding mechanisms for long-term ocean observing, integrate national and regional systems within a coherent European framework, standardise observation methodologies and data management, and support resilient information value chains (e.g., EMODnet, Digital Twin of the Ocean, SOCAT). It should also foster collaboration across research, monitoring authorities, business, local communities, and blue economy sectors while investing in advanced metrology, monitoring, and data processing infrastructure.
Read full responseMeeting with Christophe Clergeau (Member of the European Parliament) and Conférence des Régions Périphériques Maritimes d'Europe (CRPM) and
15 Jan 2025 · SEARICA