The 10th EuroGOOS International Conference, with its theme of “European operational oceanography for the ocean we want – addressing the UN Ocean Decade Challenges,” recently took place at the picturesque Galway Bay Hotel in Galway City, Ireland. This event, held every three years, provided a unique platform for an array of ocean observing and forecasting stakeholders, including marine scientists, technologists, research managers, policymakers, and representatives from the private sector. At the heart of these discussions was the mission to create a healthier, more sustainable ocean environment.
Members representing the Joint European Research Infrastructure for Coastal Observation (JERICO-RI) participated actively in several sessions and presentations, including:
Boosting In-Situ Observing Capacity with EOOS
In the session titled “EOOS – boosting in-situ observing capacity,” Felipe Artigas represented the JERICO-RI in a discussion panel. The conversation revolved around the importance of enhancing Europe’s in-situ observational capabilities, which are crucial for understanding ocean dynamics, climate change, and marine ecosystem health.
Operational Oceanography in the Coastal Zone
A dedicated session on “Operational oceanography in the coastal zone” saw Jukka Seppälä from the Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE) sharing insights into the synthesis of JERICO-RI coastal Pilot Supersite implementation. The discussion revolved around integrated pan-European multi-platform coastal observations, emphasising the need for comprehensive and consistent data from Europe’s coastal areas.
Oceanographic Services for Ocean Health
The “Oceanographic services for ocean health” session featured a presentation by Luis Felipe Artigas, focusing on “Multiscale harmonised automated observations of phytoplankton biomass, diversity, and productivity dynamics in the English Channel and North Sea as part of the coastal Pilot Super Site approach (JERICO-RI).”
