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European Ocean Observing System (EOOS) Technology Forum

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European Ocean Observing System (EOOS) Technology Forum. ©Screenshot taken by EMODnet Secretariat

The European Ocean Observing System (EOOS) Technology Forum on 22-24 March 2022 brought together experts in ocean observation, marine technology, marine research and development and others for a forward looking workshop on the technologies required to fulfill the goals of the UN Decade for Ocean Science and Sustainable Development. The workshop brought together science and industry to explore the technical challenges and requirements needed to achieve the ultimate goal of a clean and healthy Ocean. The case study for the workshop was “Marine pollution: monitoring, mitigation, forecasting and measuring impact on marine life”.

EMODnet was well represented at the event with speaker roles in various panels by the EMODnet Secretariat’s Conor Delaney and Kate Larkin, in addition to wider community inputs.

On Wednesday 23 March, EMODnet Secretariat Technical Coordinator Conor Delaney spoke in a Panel discussing "How do we establish a systematic and robust data value chain?" advocating that open data policies for ocean data are huge enablers for data discovery and noting the community should build on existing capability such as EMODnet. The ongoing evolution of EMODnet into a fully centralised and interoperable marine data service was also highlighted as a key component of achieving a trusted data pipeline where users can access marine knowledge, on demand.

On Thursday 24 March, EMODnet Deputy Head Kate Larkin joined a Panel of experts in the Closing session to discuss "Recommendations, what can we do within this decade and the role of EOOS and the EOOS Technology Forum." She noted that EMODnet tracks users and data downloads that can inform ocean observing and technology user requirements according to demand, and can help deliver the much needed impact to data collectors and providers, to support more sustainable funding of crucial ocean observations. The EOOS Technology Forum was also encouraged to find ways for more direct feedback between industry and research operators and to connect and leverage innovation and technology solutions from disciplines beyond the marine domain.