The Ocean Research Fleets Working Group of the ESF/Marine Board has released its final report on 23 of April 2007.

The President and the former President of the Marine Board stated in the foreword of the report that "The issue of the European ocean research fleets and their associated large instruments was identified in 2003 by the Marine Board as a subject which merited the establishment of a Working Group. It is indeed essential to place marine infrastructure requirements in support of future marine priorities at the forefront of both European Union and national policy related agendas. This working group, entitled the Ocean Research Fleets Working Group, chaired by Jacques Binot (Ifremer), concentrated on providing an inventory and description of the existing fleets and elaboratd recommendations for the enhanced use and management of fleets and associated large equipment on a pan-European level." (OFWG Report;2007)

To consult the full report see.

For further information and/or to receive a paper copy, please contact:

Aurélien Carbonnière
(Marine Board - ESF)
European Science Foundation
1, quai Lezay-Marnésia
F-67080 Strasbourg cedex
Tel: +33 (0) 388 762 187
E-Mail: acarbonniere@esf.org