In a bid to better understand the Atlantic Ocean and to promote the sustainable management of its resources, the European Union, the United States and Canada, have agreed to join forces on Atlantic Ocean research.
The agreement focuses on aligning the ocean observation efforts of the three partners. Research will be carried out on the relationship between the Atlantic Ocean and the Arctic Ocean, particularly with regards to climate change.
Máire Geoghegan-Quinn, European Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science, said: "The enormous economic potential of the Atlantic remains largely untapped. This alliance can make a big contribution to meeting challenges such as climate change and food security."
Other areas identified for potential cooperation under the agreement include the sharing of data (temperatures, salinity and acidity), interoperability of infrastructures (measurement buoys and research vessels), seabed and benthic habitat mapping; promoting researcher mobility and identifying and recommending future research priorities.
Maria Damanaki, European Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, added: “While the initiative is of particular interest for the EU's five Atlantic states, it is open to researchers from all over Europe and beyond. The knowledge gained will be of benefit to all."
Through the EuroFleets project, the EU is also working towards an alliance of European research fleets.
