• European Marine Science
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International audience; As we move towards shipboard-underway and automated systems for monitoring water quality and assessing ecological status, there is a need to evaluate how effective the existing monitoring systems are, and how we could improve them. Considering the existing limitations for processing numerous and complex data series generated from automated systems, and because of processes involved in phytoplankton blooms, this paper proposes a data-driven evaluation of an unsupervised classifier to optimize the way we track phytoplankton, including harmful algal blooms (HABs), and to identify the main associated hydrological conditions. We used in situ data from a portable flow-through automatic measuring system coupled with a multi-fixed-wavelength fluorometer implemented in the eastern English Channel during a bloom of Phaeocystis globosa (high biomass, non-toxic HAB species). This combination of technologies allowed high resolution online hydrographical and biological measurements, including spectral fluorescence as a means of quantifying phytoplankton biomass and simplifying the phytoplankton community structure inference. An unsupervised spectral clustering method was applied to this multi-parameter high-resolution time series, which allowed discrimination under near real-time of 6 to 33 contrasting water masses based on their abiotic and biotic characteristics. In addition, areas subject to extreme events such as HABs could be precisely identified, so controlling factors or their direct and indirect effects could be hierarchized. Considering the benefits and limitations of such a strategy, future applications of such methods will be important in the context of implementing the Marine Strategy Framework Directive.

Abstract. The Coastal Observing System for Northern and Arctic Seas (COSYNA) was established in order to better understand the complex interdisciplinary processes of northern seas and the Arctic coasts in a changing environment. Particular focus is given to the German Bight in the North Sea as a prime example of a heavily used coastal area, and Svalbard as an example of an Arctic coast that is under strong pressure due to global change.The COSYNA automated observing and modelling system is designed to monitor real-time conditions and provide short-term forecasts, data, and data products to help assess the impact of anthropogenically induced change. Observations are carried out by combining satellite and radar remote sensing with various in situ platforms. Novel sensors, instruments, and algorithms are developed to further improve the understanding of the interdisciplinary interactions between physics, biogeochemistry, and the ecology of coastal seas. New modelling and data assimilation techniques are used to integrate observations and models in a quasi-operational system providing descriptions and forecasts of key hydrographic variables. Data and data products are publicly available free of charge and in real time. They are used by multiple interest groups in science, agencies, politics, industry, and the public.

The main message of the JERICO-NEXT data policy is that data produced within the project is free and unrestricted with no charge for third parties. The JERICO-NEXT Data Policy provides recommendations on ownership, to which data these recommendations are applied, DOI, data citation and the main recommendations on data sharing and dissemination principles.

The JERICO-NEXT Trans National Access (TNA) activity is built on the successful experience of the previous FP7 JERICO project, G.A. 262584 (Sparnocchia et al., 2014, 2016). However, it will involve a greater number of observatories distributed, as before, in coastal and shelf seas all around Europe, including some dedicated to biological observation (see D7.1 for a detailed description). A limited number of supporting facilities (calibration and research laboratories) and one item of special equipment are also included in the TNA service catalogue. This document relates to WP8 - Outreach, communication and engagement, and in particular to Task 8.8: Implementing Transnational Access to coastal observatories. It describes the procedures adopted for providing TNA during the three planned Calls for proposals, one per year from May 2016 until 2018. These procedures are a review and update of those already used by JERICO. Updates of this report prior to the next Call are possible and will depend on new needs that may emerge while conducting the first Call.