EMSO ERIC Growth Strategy to Increase the Value of Existing European Ocean Observatories Optimizing Interrelated Scientific Resources and Benefits

Abstract

EMSO ERIC, a pan-European Research Infrastructure, is supported by an integrated system of Regional Facilities involving 11 multi-sensor fixed-point Regional facilities-platforms deployed in ‘key environmental sites’ across the European seas. These platforms are engaged to the long-term multidisciplinary observation of the deep-sea ocean and water column to better understanding environmental changes, particularly the interactions between hydrosphere, biosphere and geosphere to face environmental challenges as Marine Ecosystems, Climate Change and Geo-Hazards, and thus support science, strategic policy, industry, civil society.The Distributed Research Infrastructure is part of a broader scientific research landscape, which connects national and European marine research strategies, producing scientific services responding to societal demands to understand climate change impact, minimize the effects, and planning scenarios to mitigate the impacts of several hazards. EMSO aims to integrate the existing fixed-point ocean observatories in Europe and represents a great added value due to the scalability from local to regional, as well as the acquisition of marine data operated in an open best practice approach. It aims to maintain and to invest in existing structures, encouraging the key concepts to underpin the Framework for Ocean Observing which EMSO embrace. The EMSO growth builds upon its strategic framework, a path towards integration based on a 3-phase approach aimed to identify the value of the EMSO RFs and the gaps to fill. A 'dedicated roadmap' is accelerating the growth process of EMSO. It aims to consolidate synergies and boost the link with member countries and to attract new ones. National strategic priorities are the key elements, as well as the primary technological, social, political and scientific drivers, together with the high quality of data, services, and fast access to the information following the FAIR principles