The BioEcoOcean project proposes a foundational change in how we approach biological and ecosystem (BioEco) ocean observation to enhance scientific understanding, improve management, and ensure sustainable use and development of the ocean. Our multi-, inter-, and transdisciplinary approach emphasises co-creation with diverse stakeholders to develop a Blueprint for Integrated Ocean Science (BIOS) to support and encourage operational workflows adhering to FAIR Data Principles. This innovative product promotes holistic thinking, facilitates communication, and strengthens the Ocean Observing Value Chain. The project also includes a strong research component, advancing data collection, monitoring, dataflows, and models for BioEco Essential Ocean Variables (EOVs). We will operate in living labs, co-creating with stakeholders, generating new primary data, and leveraging existing data and observing infrastructure globally. Key objectives include developing an inclusive co-created Blueprint, advancing EOV implementation, assessing current practices and technological options, delivering excellent research, co-creating operational workflows, and prioritising capacity building. The project will increase the technology readiness levels (TRL) of critical components of BioEco ocean observation systems and tools and in particular the TRL of the integrated ocean observing system. The project will prioritise capacity building and collaboration with global ocean observation initiatives, e.g. GOOS and MBON, as well as with the overall Biodiversity monitoring community, e.g. GEO BON, that seeks to develop a global framework for biodiversity monitoring, in the framework of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) to ensure wide discussion and adoption of its co-produced standards. Overall, this project will significantly impact and strengthen various sectors and stakeholders involved in ocean and biodiversity observation and management, from local to National to Global levels.

Changes and variability in ocean biogeochemistry are poorly observed despite its profound impacts on ocean ecosystems and associated services, and sensitivity to and for climate. The overall aim of BioGeoSea is to significantly close the research and knowledge gaps on biogeochemical Essential Ocean Variables (BGC EOVs), validate them in-situ and in models, and use them to feed ocean metrics in the form of indicators and data products that reflect their relevance to the society. This aim includes updating EOVs requirements and specifications to enhance their usefulness in providing ocean biogeochemistry indicators, which BioGeoSea will develop and deliver. These indicators will reflect different spatial and temporal scales, and be focused around: 1) ocean acidification; 2) ocean deoxygenation 3) the biological carbon pump; and 4) greenhouse gas fluxes. BioGeoSea will: 1) improve the requirement setting of BGC EOVs; 2) Improve the observational capability of BGC EOVs over a large range of temporal and spatial scales; 3) Provide better representation of biogeochemical processes in models and more accurate predictions; 4) Improve ocean BGC data products that are invaluable to understand complex ocean phenomena; 5) Deliver ocean BGC indicators and engage actively with stakeholders. Key results will be communicated to international networks and entities for endorsement, approval and efficient dissemination of the outcomes. This project will help to better observe and deliver biogeochemical ocean data and information, and ultimately advance our understanding about ocean health and its role in climate regulation. BioGeoSea will demonstrate the importance of long-term observations of the ocean, focusing on BGC EOVs. The quality of information from all BGC EOVs will be improved, and four innovative BGC indicators will be delivered, at a technological readiness level that responds to the needs of an economically viable and healthy society.

The European Ocean Observing System (EOOS) is the foundation of European ocean knowledge. The core Marine Research Infrastructures (MRIs) focused on ocean observing (EMSO, EURO-ARGO and ICOS ERICs; EuroFleets+, EuroGoShip, GROOM RI, JERICO RI and MINKE as INFRA projects) are the main providers of in situ ocean data for the EOOS and Copernicus, and the primary managers of instrumental capacity supporting fundamental research. These MRIs are aware that the lack of effective cross coordination prevents them from fully supporting frontier research, while the lack of integration makes it difficult to reach a critical mass for EOOS and results in significant cost duplication. Accordingly, AMRIT gathers these MRIs together with OceanOPS/WMO international coordination experience with the objective to: - ensure seamless operation of marine observation platforms ; - ensure the full nominal use of sensors and accelerate their evolution ; - exploit the complementarity of the various observation platforms ; - ensure the overall coherence of the ocean data value chain. To achieve these objectives, AMRIT will design and implement an EOOS Technical Support Center (EOOS TSC) for - a fully integrated information service across the data value chain from early planning stages to final delivery to users; - a cross-platform fully standardised data acquisition methodology for Essential Ocean Variables; - a collaborative federal structure to operate these services, relying on the ERIs and their members. The EOOS TSC will be the cornerstone in establishing and maintaining the EOOS, upon which European ocean observing can be strengthened in the coming decades. AMRIT will provide a catalyst for the development and consolidation of MRIs throughout Europe, providing a benchmark for operational coordination and collaboration. AMRIT will advance EOOS in line with its 2023-2027 Strategy and beyond, and the European Commission's ambitions for sharing responsibility in ocean observing across Europe.

Exerted pressures on the ocean and more particularly on the coastal and shelf seas increasingly disturb increasingly disturb coastal regions and ecosystems, and will strongly impact our future. To improve the understanding of underlying processes, the series of EU-funded JERICO (Joint European Research Infrastructure of Coastal Observatories) projects have consisted, since 2007, in continuously improving observations in European coastal marine areas where most of the world population lives, with the objective to build a pan-European Research Infrastructure (RI) providing high-quality marine data, expertise, services, facilities and observation systems. The data produced in this long-term framework are multidisciplinary, standardized, quality-controlled, sustained, interoperable, and free for access and use. However, to better serve the scientific community and address societal and policy needs, JERICO has to progress towards a structured operational European RI supported by the EU Member States (and associated members) and the EC, and endorsed as a high-value RI at EU level as part of the ESFRI roadmap. JERICO-DS will thus analyze the needs and propose a design for a state-of-the-art, fit-for-purpose, visionary and sustainable observational European RI providing expertise and high-quality data on European coastal and shelf seas, supporting world-class research, high-impact innovation, and visibility of European excellence worldwide. JERICO-DS will conceptually design the entire picture of the JERICO RI, covering both hardware and software components, and including cutting edge technologies from the sensor level to the information and service distribution to users, hence contributing to the Smart Ocean. JERICO-DS will build on nations’ will and involvement to co-construct the JERICO RI, from the scientific and technical design to the business plan and governance strategy, supporting future engagement during the ESFRI process.

Ocean observing is executed and financed by nations according to their national interest and needs, but aligned with European and international agreements and directives. ObsSea4Clim brings together key European and international actors within ocean observing science, climate assessment, Earth System modelling, data sharing and standards, with users of oceanographic products and services with the goals of: - improving sustained and multipurpose observations vital to European and global climate requirements, and - delivering an improved observation framework based on EOV/ECVs and embedded in a Rolling Review of Requirements approach. ObsSea4Clim will: - improve regional and global climate assessments and - provide projections and actionable indicators for sustainable development provided. The work program is organized around four building blocks (TRL7-8): 1- the EOV/ECV concept, 2- the regional ocean indicator concepts, 3- the nations’ multi-purpose (climate, services, ocean health) ocean observing, 4- the integration with European and global initiatives. ObsSea4Clim will make use of ocean climate application areas such as: sea ice loss, ocean transports, stratification, sea level, ocean warming and marine heat waves and ocean mesoscale. Regional observing will be transformed into an EOV/ECVs framework suitable for regional and global climate products, ESM development (CMIP7) and indicators. ObsSea4Clim will also link to the Mission Restore our Ocean 2030 lighthouse basins. AI methods will control data quality and unlock EOV/ECVs from existing data repositories. ObsSea4Clim will promote the implementation of FAIR/CARE data, enabling and advocating their use for versatile applications and referenced to an EOV/ECV framework. ObsSea4Clim will actively lead the dialogue with European and international climate and data initiatives to ensure the necessary exchanges for implementing the ObsSea4Clim results into the international system. In this way, ObsSea4Clim will ensure sustained EU leadership in the ocean–climate–biodiversity science nexus at a global level.