The creation of an European Centre for Information on Marine Science and Technology results of a joint French - Portuguese initiative aiming to implement the recommendations of the report "Towards a new marine dimension for Europe through research and technological development", adopted on 4th May 2000 by a group of governmental experts from 15 European countries brought together at the invitation of the Portuguese Minister for Science and Technology.
This report, which was presented to the European Council for Research on 15th June 2000, recognised "the benefit of a focal point for information on marine science and technology, which could:
- facilitate access to relevant information;
- provide access to and develop marine quantitative indicators, including socio-economic data;
- compile and prepare information on trends on marine S&T;
- help prepare synthesis to decision-makers;
- facilitate access to information to enhance cooperation between scientific and technological institutions, industry and other stakeholders;
- contribute to public awareness and educational programmes on marine issues."
Priority Tasks
Three priority tasks have been presently assigned to EurOcean:
- setting up an electronic information centre;
- encouraging communication and cooperation between the European organisations in charge of marine research and technology;
- enlarging the membership of EurOcean to relevant national and European organisations.
Functions of the marine research information centre
Rationale
Marine science and technology are key elements for marine competitiveness. The access to information on marine research is essential for the industry as well as for the decision-makers at European, national and local levels and it is only in considering the European dimension that appropriate visibility and credibility will be obtained. Presently, the existing information is often dispersed, fragmented and, as a result, being uneasy to access.
Main functions of the information centre
- to facilitate the access to valuable information related to research activities and technological development, in cooperation with the existing national and European institutions and programmes;
- to make possible the access and stimulate the development of quantitative indicators, socio-economic data and any similar data;
- to compile and organise the information on the main trends of marine science and technology;
- to contribute to the preparation of synthesised reports as requested by decision-makers;
- to promote cooperation between scientific and technological institutions, industry and any other relevant institutions by facilitating the access to the information;
- to enhance the public awareness on the importance of the maritime stakes for the future of Europe.
EurOcean does not produce raw data but uses the data provided by surveys and databases. EurOcean verifies, standardises and aggregates these data.
The EurOcean Internet Portal
There is a large variety of websites in Europe in the maritime sectors but, most of the time, communication and exchange of information between these sites is limited. For these reasons, EurOcean decided to set up an Internet portal to be an electronic platform of information and communication for all persons with interests in marine science and technology. When developing its activities, EurOcean is keen to cooperate with all interested partners. Indeed, EurOcean is anxious to avoid any duplication, to give added value to the contents of the existing repositories of marine information and to promote synergy.
Main functions of the EurOcean Portal
- gateways to existing repertories and other relevant sources of information;
- dedicated search engines on marine science and technology information in Europe. Monitoring/watching services: personalised user's profile; automatised compilation of information on specific topics;
- interactive communication: discussion fora; hosting web pages; virtual offices (writing room for proposals and papers).
Implementing the objectives of the Internet portal is a challenging, expensive and long-term commitment, which needs to be supported by a well-thought strategy in order to be successful. Such a strategy is based on:
- Pragmatic step by step approach
- Encouraging the contributions of the members
- Being proactive for cooperating
Reference Documents
Recommendations adopted by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on 24 September 1998:
- Resolution 1168 (1998) and Recommendation 1387 (1998): Future challenges in European maritime science and technology
- Resolution 1169 (1998) and Recommendation 1388 (1998): The Oceans: state of the marine environment and new trends in international law of the sea
- Resolution 1170 (1998): Sustainable exploitation of living marine resources
Other readings:
