EOOS responds to the European Oceans Pact Call for Evidence

The EOOS Steering Group has officially submitted its feedback to the European Commission in response to the Call for Evidence for the European Oceans Pact, highlighting the essential role of coordinated ocean observing in achieving the Pact’s ambitions.

As representatives of the European ocean observing community, the EOOS Steering Group welcomes the Oceans Pact as a timely and strategic initiative to harmonise ocean-related policy in the EU. In their response, EOOS strongly emphasises that marine knowledge—rooted in sustained, high-quality in situ ocean observation—is a prerequisite for the success of Europe’s ocean policies.

“Without robust ocean observations, we cannot monitor ecosystem health, assess policy effectiveness, or support a sustainable blue economy,” said Dr. Inga Lips, Chair of the EOOS Steering Group.

The response outlines several key recommendations:

• Strengthen the marine knowledge value chain, especially the in situ component, which remains underfunded and fragmented.

• Establish a coordinated European approach to ocean observing, moving beyond the current patchwork of national initiatives.

• Formally mandate and fund EOOS through the Oceans Pact, to empower coordination across Member States and connect existing data infrastructures such as EMODnet, Copernicus Marine (CMEMS), and the European Digital Twin Ocean (EUDTO).

• Promote collaboration across sectors, including scientists, policymakers, industry, and civil society, to ensure data are transformed into impactful actions.

• Ensure long-term investment in ocean observing infrastructure and operations, leveraging both public and private sector support.

The EOOS framework already provides a basis for this coordination, connecting people, infrastructure, platforms, and data systems. With a formal role in the Oceans Pact, EOOS can help deliver an integrated, efficient, and sustainable European ocean observing system—capable of supporting real-time services, informed decision-making, and proactive governance across Europe’s seas.

“The European Oceans Pact presents a unique opportunity,” said Dr. Thorsten Kiefer, Chair of the EOOS Resource Forum. “Now is the time to commit to coordinated action and long-term investment.”

To read the full EOOS response, visit: EOOS Response to the Oceans Pact Call for Evidence