EMECO (European Marine Ecosystem Observatory) & Western Shelf Observatory

1. EMECO (European Marine Ecosystem Observatory)& Western Shelf Observatory ‘Creating better evidence and new knowledge about our coastal seas’ Dave Mills (Cefas) Remi Laane (Deltares) (David.mills@cefas.co.uk)

2. Question ‘To what extent can EMECO contribute to the build of a more integrated European observing system that can serve the needs of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive?’ Marine Infrastructures, Brussels, Dec 2010

3. The problem – policy pull National government needs evidence to meet their international and EU policy obligations The evidence must be: • Based on sound science • Underpinned with reliable quality assured data • Transparent and auditable (from sensor to advice) • Collected efficiently and cost effectively • Able to withstand legal scrutiny • Policy drivers: • OSPAR, HELCOM • Nitrates Directive • Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive • Water Framework Directive • Birds and Habitats Directive • MSFD • Others NERC SOFI Workshop

4. Assessment of eutrophication • Assessments challenged • Infraction proceedings – UWWTD (France, UK) • National assessments – not universally approved • Why • Differences in interpretation of policy e.g. eutrophication • Lack of consistency and coherence • Needs • More & better information Potential Problem Area Problem Area Non -Problem Area Outcome to 2nd Application OSPAR CP Marine Infrastructures, Brussels, Dec 2010

5. MSFD Descriptors “The marine environment is a precious heritage that must be protected, restored and treated as such with the ultimate aim of providing biologically diverse and dynamic oceans and seas that are safe, clean, healthy and productive.” Marine Infrastructures, Brussels, Dec 2010

6. Marine Framework Strategy Directive Policy (and science) questions “Good Environmental Status” What indicators – cause and effect Reference conditions, assessment methods Setting assessments into context, distinguishing between anthropogenic and natural causes of measured changes to ecosystem Ecosystem based approach Cross boundary – assessment at the right scale Physics to fish Monitoring and assessment sustained for time scale of requirements - decades Marine Infrastructures, Brussels, Dec 2010

7. Ferries Research vessels CPR Gliders Towed bodies Satellites Buoys Models The case for change ! • 100m & 1.4 billion € spent on monitoring in UK & EU • Pressure to reduce costs • Pressure for openness, accountability, sharing and access • New observational strategies, tools, & technologies • Many players with diverse ‘systems’ – no common ‘language’ • Partnership & collaboration the way forward Marine Infrastructures, Brussels, Dec 2010

8. The science (& technology) push • Most marine observatories science lead • Hypothesis driven, technology driven • Short term (R&D) funding and goals • Policy uptake an afterthought • Spatial scale relevant to science question • Primarily science driven papers at ESF observatories meeting • Thrust of that meeting was observatories for science not for policy ! • Avoid the ‘solution’ in search of a ‘problem’ Marine Infrastructures, Brussels, Dec 2010

9. 3/5 Autonomous data buoys Cefas SmartBuoys Data rich to information rich SmartBuoys Numerical models Integrated approach R.V. Cefas Endeavour Integrated monitoring CPR Data poor to data rich Ferries FerryBox Remote sensing Traditional approach Marine Infrastructures, Brussels, Dec 2010

10. Integrated assessments • WHY • Efficient use of resources • Strengthen the evidence base • Reduce uncertainty • Add confidence to assessments • Assessments able to withstand legal scrutiny Threshold Assessment variable Above line + Below line - Marine Infrastructures, Brussels, Dec 2010

11. EMECO Stakeholder Engagement Towards a Data Integration & Assessment System • User generated maps • ‘Agreed’ international map of chlorophyll • Transparent information product with estimate of confidence • Step towards EU harmonisation Marine Infrastructures, Brussels, Dec 2010

12. Building the partnerships… EMECO – NOOS North Sea Observatory meeting Lowestoft June 2009 Western Shelf Observatory Kick-Off meeting AFBI, Belfast June 2010 Marine Infrastructures, Brussels, Dec 2010

13. EMECO - European Marine Ecosystem Observatory Builds on existing infrastructure Multi-scale – time & space Supports Ecosystem Based Management Promotes interoperability Anticipates EU current & future policy needs MSFD Creating better evidence and new knowledge EMECO is a an informal European network for integration of monitoring, modelling & research. UK-Cefas, EA, NOC, SAHFOS; NL-Rijkswaterstaat, Deltares, NIOZ, Norway-IMR, NERSC, Met Off; DE-GKSS, BSH, BE – MUMM, F – IFREMER, RoE – Marine Institute, Denmark – NIVA; S - SMHI www.emecogroup.org Marine Infrastructures, Brussels, Dec 2010

14. EMECO - Western Shelf Observatory ‘ The EMECO Western Shelf Observatory is an integrated programme of sustained marine observing systems that will improve knowledge and understanding of marine ecosystems. It will strengthen the evidence base for environmental assessments, underpin future research, increase uptake of marine data and information and address gaps in current marine monitoring, modelling and research.’ • Partner Programmes • Western Channel Observatory • Irish Sea Observatory • Ship survey, inshore buoy network, offshore mooring (AFBI) • Cefas SmartBuoy and Wavenet • Irish (MI) monitoring programme - instrumenting met buoys • Ellet Line, Tiree mooring • Marine Scotland monitoring • CPR routes • FerryBox lines • PAP Eurosites mooring (www.westernshelfobservatory.org) Marine Infrastructures, Brussels, Dec 2010

15. EMECO – WSO Science questions • To what extent is the carrying capacity of European shelf seas determined by exchange of nutrients across the shelf • Is the outcome to environmental assessments (e.g. eutrophication) influenced by shelf-edge processes • To what extent is ecosystem health (structure and vigour) in the inner shelf regions influenced by shelf edge processes • How will this far field forcing be influenced by climate change • How will understanding of these interactions influence environmental assessments of inner shelf regions and advice to policy end users? • Can we use the new observations to better determine background and therefore reference conditions for environmental assessments of our shelf seas. NERC SOFI Workshop

16. EMECO - Western Shelf Observatory An exercise in scaling! Map Room NERC SOFI Workshop (www.westernshelfobservatory.org)

17. Making a difference…….. Marine Infrastructures, Brussels, Dec 2010

18. EMECO – Information & evidence pipeline UK Data Archive Centres Delayed mode EMECO Web – enabled Datatools Delayed mode Assessment map Real time Real time & delayed mode Marine Core Service Provision Time-series/trends CPR EMECO Assessment database EMECO Datatool Interface EMECO User Query Calibration Validation KML–Google Earth Delayed mode QA’d Data Gridded data Delayed mode ICES Data XML, CSV Marine Infrastructures, Brussels, Dec 2010

19. EMECO – Information & evidence pipeline UK Data Archive Centres Delayed mode EMECO Web – enabled Datatools Delayed mode Assessment map Real time Marine Core Service Provision A streamlined ‘on-line’ assessment system that:- “enables rapid integration and assessment of multi-national, multi-agency multi-platform, and multi-variate data” Time-series EMECO Datatool Interface CPR EMECO User Query EMECO Assessment database Calibration Validation KML–Google Earth Delayed mode QA’d Data Delayed mode ICES Gridded data Data XML, CSV Marine Infrastructures, Brussels, Dec 2010

20. An integrated monitoring & assessment system for the North Sea - Objectives To consolidate a North Sea Observatory to provide a network of routine measurements of biological, chemical and physical variables encompassing ships, moorings, ships of opportunity, satellites and modelling. To improve coordination and efficiency of current operational programmes to include promoting interoperability of sustained observations in the observatory between partners. To develop a shared vision and strategy between funders of sustained observations and monitoring programmes by engagement at a national and European level To ensure the observatory includes all the relevant partners To demonstrate that the North Sea Observatory can make a positive difference: by improving marine scientific evidence and creating new knowledge Marine Infrastructures, Brussels, Dec 2010

21. How do we do it • Prepare costed proposal to EMODNET • Tasks • Build on detailed review of current monitoring and sustained observing programmes e.g. EEA GISC-GMES report and other prior work (EuroGOOS, EDIOS, OOS’s) • What observations, where, who, why • Current costs • Assess level of interoperability • Agree requirements • Better scientific evidence – at the scale of policy need • New knowledge • Stakeholder engagement • Develop agreed plan to meet needs • Fill gaps • Identify new products • Further develop EMECO datatools Clarity about information needs is critical ! Marine Infrastructures, Brussels, Dec 2010

22. How do we do it • How • Workshop - bringing key policy, science, monitoring community together for each country • User requirement analysis – what do we need to measure, where, how, • Interoperability survey and gap analysis • Resources • Approx 50k € for proposal preparation • 250 – 300k € for delivery of proposal • 1 year • Planning and implementation group • Outcome (Report) • Detailed knowledge of monitoring in North Sea (both policy and science driven) • Clarity about costs • User needs assessment – policy and science (evidence and knowledge) • Strategic (and costed) plan to address gaps • Engage (stakeholders) to sustain ! Marine Infrastructures, Brussels, Dec 2010

23. UK-MECO Marine Infrastructures, Brussels, Dec 2010

24. EMECO Community Hub GIS MEDIN UK Integrated Observatories e-Infrastructure DAC – Species DAC – Bathy Satellites DAC - Fish Fish Vess 1 Fish Vess 2 Models DAC - Merman Warp DAC – Oceanog. FV Dowsing DAC PAP GMES Smart Buoy Other sites FB NOC Nodes WN CPR Route 1 FB Endeavour Nodes CPR Cefas CPR Route 2 CPR e Nodes CPR Route … Services Fish Vessel Nodes AFBI ICES MarSc Fish Tag Nodes WCO FB RV survey ISO Bottom Lander Buoys Vessel Nodes Sensor Mon Net Observing system NERC SOFI Workshop

25. UK Integrated Observatories e-Infrastructure DAC – Species DAC – Bathy Satellites DAC - Fish Fish Vess 1 Fish Vess 2 Models DAC - Merman Warp DAC – Oceanog. FV Dowsing DAC PAP Tools & Services GMES Smart Buoy Other sites FB NOC Nodes WN • Data catalogue CPR Route 1 FB Endeavour • Data discovery Nodes CPR Cefas CPR Route 2 • Community models CPR e Nodes • GIS/Mapping tools CPR Route … Fish Vessel • Mashup tools Nodes AFBI ICES • Auto cal/val MarSc Fish Tag Nodes WCO FB RV survey ISO Buoys Bottom Lander Vessel Nodes Mon Net Sensor Observing system NERC SOFI Workshop

26. Marine Information and Evidence Pipeline Sea Level Ocean Color SST Sea Ice & Wind In Situ Bathymetry Geology Physics Chemistry Biology GMES MCS TAC Assessment map Time-series/trends Assessment database Ur-EMODNET Lots Datatool Interface User Query KML–Google Earth CPR Gridded data Data XML, CSV Marine Infrastructures, Brussels, Dec 2010

27. Marine Information and Evidence Pipeline Sea Level Ocean Color SST Sea Ice & Wind In Situ Bathymetry Geology Physics Chemistry Biology GMES MCS TAC Assessment map A WISE Move ! Time-series/trends Assessment database Ur-EMODNET Lots Datatool Interface User Query KML–Google Earth CPR Gridded data Data XML, CSV Marine Infrastructures, Brussels, Dec 2010

28. Summary • Major challenges to address • Better evidence – policy pull • New knowledge – science push • How do we align ? • Pressure on resources (UK up to 30% budget reductions) • Do more with less • Quick wins • Build on progress, modernisation, make best use of all resources, engage to sustain • EMODNET can play a key role in meeting the challenge. • And the answer to the question…….. Marine Infrastructures, Brussels, Dec 2010

29. ‘To what extent can EMECO contribute to the build of a more integrated European observing system that can serve the needs of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive?’ • EMECO already hold the vision of why the community needs to work together • To meet EU policy evidence needs • To address key science question with a strong policy relevance • To make a difference ! • Addressing the challenge • From physics to fish - an ECOSYSTEM observatory • Building partnerships at the spatial (regional) scale required for policy delivery • Build an open and transparent ‘integration and assessment system’ to meet policy needs • EMECO provides a solution to a problem – not a homeless solution! Marine Infrastructures, Brussels, Dec 2010

30. The End Marine Infrastructures, Brussels, Dec 2010

31. Integrating physical, chemical and biological data • What does it mean • What does it entail • How does it serve the needs of the MSFD Marine Infrastructures, Brussels, Dec 2010

32. What does it mean • The act of combining parts to make a unified and harmonious whole. • The parts are things that we measure (or simulate) • At what point do you combine the parts data and in what order • Combining same data for same variable • Measured using same method/platform • Measured using different methods/platform • Disparate in time and space Marine Infrastructures, Brussels, Dec 2010

33. What does it entail • Depends on requirements ! • Demonstrate intercomparability – intercalibration • Does same method use by different, people, laboratories give an acceptable level of agreement • When do we do it in the work flow • Render data into same format (e.g. XML) • Integrating across time and space scales Marine Infrastructures, Brussels, Dec 2010

34. Why do we want to integrate • Science (better knowledge) • Want to understand relationships between bits • Policy (better evidence) • Increasing pool of data for assessment may lead to an increase in confidence • Assessment methodology – we have to do it to meet end-user needs Marine Infrastructures, Brussels, Dec 2010

35. But what’s the real reason? • The world is unity – when we measure it we break it into bits or parts • In order to understand it we reassemble (integrate) those bits (according to theory) • So integration is required to understand the world ie to interpret what the bits mean when joined together • Important to do this in an open and transparent way ! Marine Infrastructures, Brussels, Dec 2010