MRI expert group – Where do we stand?

7th meeting – Brussels – 14-15 November 2011

Waddah Saab – RTD.H.2

Objectives of the expert group

1. Identify important marine research infrastructure gaps and needs, in addition to those in the ESFRI list, e.g. marine research infrastructure with a regional sea dimension. Attention should be paid to gaps in some EU regional seas;

2. On the basis of funding opportunities identified (e.g. under structural funds), propose mechanisms to link marine research infrastructure needs with funding opportunities;

3. Develop a conceptual framework and assessment method for valuing the socio-economic impact of Marine Research Infrastructure, which can be used to promote investment in marine research infrastructures by member states and maritime regions;

4. Advise on governance for EU marine research infrastructures, in particular with a view to ensure their long term sustainability and maximise synergy in their utilisation.

1- MRI – gaps & issues Infrastructures needed to acquire and manage marine

data for a broad range of uses: science / research, marine environment monitoring and protection, ocean / climate interactions, socio-economic applications…

Remote observation vs. in-situ observations Physical / chemical / biological / geological

observations Temporal gaps (long term series) and spatial gaps

(MED/BS) Concrete initiatives (ESFRI, non-ESFRI),

oceanographic vessels, data management infrastructures… are essentially multi-use infrastructures

There is a need for full access to and integration of data, across initiatives and parameters measured data standardisation / improved access to data

2 - Cost and value of Marine Research Infrastructure (MRI)

MRI are expensive, cost of maintaining and operating them can represent ~ 50% of total marine research budget crucial to maximise synergies at EU level

Socio-economic value of research infrastructure is not easy to assess, but we can propose a framework to approach it, covering: Innovation in marine bio-economy, ocean energy, Protection of

the marine environment, marine safety, better prediction of climate change impact and management of related risks

However policy decision making process for investments (e.g. structural funds) hardly based on "thorough" socioeconomic valuation

So we need to show how MRI can help respond to societal needs and better convey their socio-economic value, including the protection of ecosystem services, but…

This is more a pragmatic – down to earth exercise than a thorough – detailed exercise

3- Study on MRI and structural funds

Finalised but recommendations being refined / adjusted in the light of new structural funds regulations

There are unused opportunities for financing MRI with structurak funds in some MS

But obstacles related to: lack of awareness among research organisations

and management authorities of SF complexity and cost of preparing a funding

requestOne experiment: a "brokerage event" for

EMBRC in February 2012

4- MRI Projects and Initiatives

Obs. Sys.

- International - Regional EU- National

Operational- Public- Commercial

Research- ERIC(European Research Infrastructure Consortium)

GMES MarineCore Service

EMODNET

G

E

O

S

S

EMECO, TENATSO

ESONET / EMSO

MOON

EuroSITES

Euro-Argo

Projectse.g.

Initiatives(can be)

R/S

In situ

Selected Initiatives

SeaDataNet

Indicative data flows:

SB

SB

SB

ECOOP

Eurofleets

Ships of opportunity

Mapping of EU sea beds / habitats

LIFEWATCH / EMBRC

Ordering the landscape: starting with the needsPolicy / Societal needs e.g.Global Environment change - MSFD

1. Biodiversity, alien species, fish stocks, food webs, seabed integrity / habitats 2. Eutrophication3. Hydrographical conditions 4. Contaminants 5. Litter – 6. Noise / Energy

Ocean / Climate interactions

1. Ocean circulation system, ocean / atmosphere interactions 2. Impact of climate change on marine environment3. Impact of climate ch. on coastal areas

Socio-economic needs

Marine Energy / Transport…Biological / mineral resourcesMSP / ICZM - Marine safety

(hazards) Weather / climate & seasonal

forecasting

Key parameters

Existing Infrast./proj.

Fisheries PlanktonChloro-phyl… ???

EU Fish data collectCPRFerryboxesSatellite EMBRC

T, salinityPressureCO2, pH…

ARGOEMSO EUROSITESTENATSORapid-ArraySIOS…

Bathym. GeologySismic datawind, waveEcosystems

EMSOEMBRCVessels / multibeam sonars…

Full and

Open

Exchange

Of

Data

Across

Initiatives &

Projects

E

M

O

D

N

E

T

Science

Needs

-

Major

User of

Data

Ordering the landscape: levels in the data chain

What do we miss in the landscape?Move from research based to long

term sustained data acquisitionFill some key parameter gaps:

biol/chem data, mapping of European sea beds…

Ensure full access to data for all users

Enable data integration to increase applications and value for users

Better respond to societal needsStrengthen innovation capacity in

ocean observationCoordinate EU contribution to global

initiatives Capacity building in 3rd ciesEngage with society / education…

A European initiative to help address (which of) these challenges?

Towards a European Initiative on Integrated Ocean Observation?

Several factors push in this directionSupport from the marine scientific community

(Ostende declaration), Initiatives by industries (offshore wind/supergrid,

DNV…)The maturation of ESFRI, with several marine ESFRI

projects moving towards ERIC statusIntegrated ocean observation responds to policy and

societal needs Agenda 2020 (e.g. offshore wind, supergrid, sustainable transport…)

The EU maritime policy an integrated perspective of marine observation / resources

The MSFD and the GES of the seasThe JPI « Seas and Oceans », which takes a similar

perspective on MS side

But… important issues and challenges

How do we further strengthen standardisation of and access to marine data? Inspire directive? EMODNET? Convergence of European marine observation initiatives?

How do we build upon existing infrastructures / initiatives (ESFRI-ERIC / EMODNET / GMES / EUROGOOS / WISE MARINE…), by adding value and not useless complexity?

Can we have convergence between needs and investments at local / regional (sea) / European level(s)?

Can / should we have a public / private partnership and engage with marine industries in sustained ocean observation?

Broad options1. Minimal - Keep and improve the current landscape:

Get financing for EMODNET in 2014-2020 and improve slowly data harmonisation / standards

Get financing for GMES / in situ in 2014-2020 Get financing for Marine research / observation capacities

in « Horizon 2020 » Continue interactions between them and with JPI "Oceans"

2. Maximal – A new all encompassing ocean observation initiative with its own structure(s)

3. Intermediate - Something in between Upgrade EMODNET ambitions to boost data

standardisation of and access to marine data, use it as backbone for European marine observation

Launch in parallel a public-private partnership initiative at European level to support ocean observation and add flesh to EMODNET

Use possibilities enshrined in GMES to further develop the marine component, in cooperation with a EOOS

Next steps

First draft report from this group to be prepared by Commission by 20 January 2012 with key recommendations on MRI / integration ocean observation / funding opportunities / socio-eco assessement…

Finalisation of report by March 2012, followed by another meeting of this expert group

Commission to come up early 2012 with proposals for a convergence between different processes (EMODNET, expert group on MRI, WISE MARINE, GMES) towards agreed vision

Communication(s) in 2012 to enshrine selected approach in an official document