(27 May 2013) – The European Union, the United States and Canada today agreed to join forces on Atlantic Ocean research.
The agreement focuses on aligning the ocean observation efforts of the three partners. The goals are to better understand the Atlantic Ocean and to promote the sustainable management of its resources. The work will also study the interplay of the Atlantic Ocean with the Arctic Ocean, particularly with regards to climate change.
The EU and its Member States alone invest nearly two billion euro on marine and maritime research each year. The ‘Galway Statement on Atlantic Ocean Cooperation’ was signed today at a high level conference at the Irish Marine Institute in Galway.
Areas identified for potential cooperation under the agreement include: Ocean observation ; Sharing of data, such as on temperature, salinity and acidity; Interoperability and coordination of observing infrastructures, such as measurement buoys and research vessels; Sustainable management of ocean resources; Seabed and benthic habitat mapping ; Promoting researcher mobility; Identifying and recommending future research priorities.