Marcom

 

The FP7 support action to integrate the marine and maritime research communities.

 

In its strategic objectives (2005-2009) the Commission recognised that there is a “need for an all-embracing maritime policy aimed at developing a thriving maritime economy, in an environmentally sustainable manner. Such a policy should be supported by excellence in marine scientific research, technology and innovation." Human activities are exerting environmental pressures threatening safety of coastal settlements, ecosystems and biodiversity and preventing sustainable maritime activities. Science and technology provide one of the keys for reconciling promotion of sustainable economic growth in maritime activities with environmental conservation. Consequently, the large number of ongoing research activities need coordination and cross sectoral integration in order to address system complexity and interactions, and to introduce new forms of governance in research through consensus and continuous dialogue. The way forward is described in the Communication on the “European Strategy for Marine and Maritime Research, a coherent European Research Area framework in support of a sustainable use of oceans and seas”, released in September 2008, and adopted by the Council.

The European research networks dealing with the marine and maritime research sectors transport and maritime industries, tourism, coastal development, security, living resources, fisheries and aquaculture have decided to join forces and form a consortium in order to take further steps in integrating their science activities.

The Consortium proposed an initial two-year work programme comprising six work packages and five cross-cutting panels in order to develop a long-term and self-sustaining “European Marine and Maritime Science and Technology Forum”. During the project, the consortium will test and improve modalities in order to achieve long-term sustainability, based on shared interests and shared leadership. The Forum will continue its core activity of guiding the implementation of the European Strategy for Marine and Maritime Research beyond the support action and will serve the two-way feedback needs of dialogue between marine science and maritime policy.