Marine Research Infrastructures as a Factor in Regional Competitiveness Professor Peter Herzig Director, IFM-GEOMAR German Marine Research Consortium KDM

Marine Research Infrastructures European Strategic Forum on Research Infrastructures (ESFRI) roadmap currently includes (but is not limited to)  European Multidisciplinary Seafloor Observatory EMSO UROArgo uropean Marine Biological Resource Centre  Aurora Borealis

Value-Added of Marine Infrastructures: The Example of the Observatories EMSO (European Multidisciplinary Seafloor Observatory) is a planned European-scale network of seafloor observatories and platforms  long-term, real-time monitoring of environmental changes  early-warning of natural hazards  geographically distributed infrastructure  European waters: Arctic, North Sea, Atlantic, Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea

European Multidisciplinary Seafloor Observatory

Argo and EUROArgo ( Global Ocean Observing Infrastructure)  global array of >3.000 free-drifting profiling floats  measure continuously temperature and salinity of the upper m of the ocean  document seasonal to decadal climate variability  improve our capability for prediction  data being relayed and made publicly available within hours after collection Value-Added of Marine Infrastructures: The Example of the Observatories

Argo and EUROArgo

Marine Observatories: Gaps and Needs Major Needs rreducing loss of life and property from natural and human- induced ocean disasters iimproving management of ocean energy resources uunderstanding, assessing, predicting, mitigating and adapting to climate variability and change iimproving weather information, forecasting and warning iimproving the management and protection of coastal and marine ecosystems uunderstanding, monitoring and conserving biodiversity

Major Gaps ggeographical areas often not well covered ccritical areas are not well covered eearly warning systems are not installed: earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, submarine slides, tsunamis llong-term observation of critical parameters is lacking ssecured funding, master plan and overall coordination are missing

Requirements and Roadmap Strategic Orientation ddevelop long-term strategic plan for European infrastructures aanalyse existing & indentify additionally needed infrastructures mmaximise synergies at EU level and within member states Financial Implementation ssecure long-term financing for construction, installation and operation of infrastructures

Operational Sustainability ddocument long-term value-added of the infrastructures for coastal states and regions and the EU as a whole Sustainable Management Structures eestablish effective and efficient management structures iinvolve scientists, operators and users (e.g. society and industry)

Benefits to the Regions ddisaster prediction, mitigation and/or prevention: earthquakes, submarine slides, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis mmaritime and environmental services as delivered by coastal observatories for windpark impacts, water quality, coastal erosion, for sustainable fishing cclimate change data: regional changes in precipitation, storm intensity, loss of biodiversity ccooperation & networking between scientists and operational services (hydrographic and shipping services, coast guards) iinnovation: technology development and job creation in SMEs

Ocean and Seafloor Observatories as European Marine Infrastructures

THE EUROPEAN OCEAN – 3 million km km of coast line four seas, two oceans surface area equal to total landmass of Europe more than 50% of the territory under the jurisdiction of EU Member States is under water