Towards an integrated Marine and Maritime Science Community

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”.

The proposed Forum will bring significant advancement to the current state of the art of European marine and maritime science and technology sectors. The key networks representing science and technology development will work together to reduce fragmentation and complexity by testing and establishing appropriate cooperation mechanisms on various stakeholder levels. Having established effective dialogue mechanisms the Forum will be ready to consult relevant policy makers.

Project Coordinator: Adi Kellermann
ICES Head of Science
Tel. +45 3338 6714

Project Manager: Wojciech Wawrzynski
ICES Professional Secretary for Scientific Cooperation
Tel. +45 3338 6757      
To learn more about MARCOM+ visit the website: www.marinemaritimescienceforum.eu