Download Transatlantic Marine and Maritime Cooperation EU-US

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Non-Paper - Transatlantic Marine and Maritime Cooperation
The EU's context
Human activities are increasingly constrained by scarcity of land and freshwater. At the
same time, the seas and oceans represent a large, and mostly untapped, resource.
The EU's Integrated Maritime Policy (IMP), led by DG MARE, aims at a more coherent
European approach to maritime issues in order to contribute to the creation of sustainable
growth and jobs from sea-related activities. The IMP was recently complemented by two
Communications: 'Developing a Maritime Strategy for the Atlantic Ocean Area'1 and
'Blue Growth2: opportunities for marine and maritime sustainable growth'.
The objective of the EU's blue growth strategy is to provide a package of EU measures to
realise this potential. The EU's blue economy currently delivers gross added value of just
under €500 billion a year. It is set to grow to €600 billion by 2020.
This is to be achieved by maximising the effectiveness of EU policies in supporting the
goals of blue growth and jobs. The strategy puts particular emphasis on the potential of
research to create innovation in new emerging industries such as ocean energy, seabed
mineral resources and marine biotechnology as well as traditional ones such as
aquaculture.
It is underpinned by specific maritime policy measures on marine knowledge (from
seabed mapping to ocean forecasting), on spatial planning and on maritime surveillance
(awareness of potentially illegal or threatening activities at sea) that contribute to a
number of EU policies and a number of industrial sectors. These measures will stimulate
growth and jobs by lowering the costs and reducing the risk of doing business at sea.
The optimum measures needed depend on the geography, oceanography, climate, culture
and economy tailored for each sea-basin. The Atlantic strategy has been crafted that
looks at ways of encouraging joint responses to common challenges as well as focusing
on measures to support growth and jobs that can be implemented by the five EU coastal
states – Spain, Portugal, France, Ireland and the UK. Another example the Arctic strategy
aims to help those who live and work in this region cope with a changing climate and
increasing human activity.
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Existing transatlantic cooperation in research and innovation
DG RTD has been contributing to the implementation of the IMP, including the Atlantic
Strategy, through well-established transatlantic marine and maritime research
cooperation within successive research framework programmes. The priorities of the
EU's blue growth strategy feature prominently in many of the societal challenges
identified in the Commission’s proposal for Horizon 2020.
However the enormous economic potential of the North Atlantic remains largely
untapped as many opportunities will require a wider participation of the main Atlantic
coastal states. Research that underpins a drive for growth and jobs could in many cases
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COM(2011) 782 final of 21.11.2011
COM(2012) 494 final of 13.9.2012
be more effectively coordinated on a transatlantic basis thus providing mutual benefit and
bringing new opportunities for innovative technologies.
In line with the challenges identified in the IMP, the Commission services believe
that successful transatlantic cooperation activities can already be identified in the
following areas which would constitute a good basis for further enhancing transatlantic
research and innovation cooperation:
 Sustainable Atlantic ecosystem approach
 Sustainable marine food production (fisheries and aquaculture)
 Innovative uses and conservation of the Atlantic/marine biodiversity (including
seabed biological resources)
 Seabed Critical Raw Materials (CRM – seabed mining)
Two horizontal areas, namely Ocean Observation Technologies, and Bridging to
Society - Ocean Literacy seem suitable to complement the proposed four focal areas.
Furthermore, on both sides of the North Atlantic a number of bi-lateral and multilateral
cooperation frameworks - such as GEO, the Belmont Forum, the EU-US TF on
Biotechnology, the international KBBE Forum, the NOAA-JRC cooperation activities already exist (see short overview in annex 1). Their potential to facilitate research and
innovation collaboration on both sides of the Atlantic could be further exploited.
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Leveraging existing cooperation
What would be needed at transatlantic level is to connect information and resources from
these different bi-lateral and multilateral cooperation frameworks under one umbrella as
they have strong links to each other and involve same or similar actors on both sides of
the Atlantic.
This umbrella could take the form of a Transatlantic Marine Research Alliance which
would bring under one umbrella EU and US and Canadian 'marine' institutes, specific
agencies and relevant funding agencies as central stakeholders, but also members of the
already existing bilateral and international cooperation frameworks3.
Such a Transatlantic Marine Research Alliance would allow for:
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
Identifying where we stand individually and jointly and what capabilities we need
collectively to put in place by 2020 in order to provide effective and efficient
responses to our common marine and maritime challenges.
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Formulating precise targets in order to turn capability needs into opportunities for
joint or synchronised research action.
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Flexible bottom-up coordination and cooperation without addition bureaucracy.
see more details in annex 1
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
Sharing information regularly and exploiting the many similarities and
complementarities between different marine research activities/initiatives
identified within the above proposed areas.
The Transatlantic Marine Research Alliance could have the following objectives:
 Based on our capability needs jointly define specific '2020 targets' in areas of
common interest for implementing the respective marine/ocean strategies
existing today on both sides of the Atlantic;
 Agree on a joint strategic research agenda (SRA) to achieve the agreed
targets by 2020;
 Implement systematically synchronised/joint research activities through
programme level cooperation and coordination (avoiding the establishment
of new structures and bureaucratic procedures);
 Report jointly every year on progress towards the agreed targets to EU and
US and Canadian authorities and stakeholders (e.g. in Summits and/or other
existing political and scientific fora).
In addition to its coordinating role and the development of joint or synchronised research
programmes, such an Alliance would provide political and valuable scientific input to
overall transatlantic Marine and Maritime Cooperation.
For each of the below proposed areas one or two flagship initiatives could be agreed
so as to assure focus and concrete results by 2020. Flagship initiatives could be
formulated as provided in the two examples mentioned in the chapter below.
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The potential for an enhanced Transatlantic Marine Cooperation Initiative
Area 1 : Sustainable Atlantic ecosystem approach
e.g. data exchanges:
- on Ocean Acidification
- on Arctic Monitoring
- other….
Objective: The implementation of the ecosystem based approach to marine activities,
and Ocean/climate interactions with the particular role of the Atlantic Ocean circulation
on marine living organisms and how they could be affected by climate Change.
Better ocean management requires a reinforced knowledge base of the impact of global
changes and human pressures on the North Atlantic marine ecosystems and its regions.
Given the scale of global change there will be considerable added value in coordinating
the scientific activities, including research programmes of the EU and North America.
Regarding ocean and ocean acidification (OA) research, there is on-going collaboration
between the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), NSF and
the EC in the context of the BASIN transatlantic initiative. The aim of BASIN is to
understand and simulate the impact of climate variability and change on key species of
plankton and fish, as well as community structure as a whole, in the North Atlantic and to
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examine the consequences for the cycling of carbon and nutrients in the ocean and
thereby contribute to ocean management.
For this proposed area enhanced transatlantic cooperation could be proposed under
existing frameworks involving US and Canada (e.g. GEO, Belmont Forum, G8 HORCS).
The following provides two examples of possible flagship initiatives:
High Resolution Map:
To date, analysis of the ocean environment, as well as human impacts on that
environment, has mostly been carried out at the sectoral level. 4 The EU, US and
Canada could collaboratively conduct a fully integrated assessment of coastal
and ocean areas for the North Atlantic. Today the EU and the US are both
engaged in developing high resolution maps in selected areas, and efforts should
be made to coordinate this work within a coherent programme covering the North
Atlantic
Transatlantic Ocean Observation System:
Ocean observation underpins all marine activities in all seas and oceans, whether
they are scientific or economic. Investments in ocean observation infrastructures
have therefore a high societal / socioeconomic value but they are also costly. It is
therefore natural to optimise them, by maximising their value. Ocean challenges
and ocean observation have different scales: local (e.g. measuring a localised
pollution or identifying resources in a coastal area), regional (e.g. assessing a
fish stock that spans over a large area between several countries), or global (e.g.
assessing how a large oceanic current like the gulf stream affects and is affected
by climate change). If a transatlantic research alliance is developed to address
those Atlantic challenges that are relevant for countries on both sides of the
Atlantic Ocean, it is natural that such research is supported by a capacity to
observe the underlying ocean processes. A Transatlantic Ocean Observation
System would be a baseline of ocean observation infrastructures, developed and
sustained in a coordinated way by countries across the Atlantic, to measure on a
regular and long term basis parameters necessary to address ocean challenges
with a transatlantic or global scale. Such a system would build on existing ocean
observation and data management initiatives on both sides of the Atlantic. It
should as well build on prominent international initiatives in the domain such as
GEO (Group on Earth Observation) and its Blue Planet task and the GOOS
initiative (Global Ocean Observing System) with a view to maximise societal
value and value for money of the corresponding investments.
Area 2: Sustainable marine food production (fisheries and aquaculture)
Area 3: Innovative use and conservation of the Atlantic marine biodiversity
(including seabed biological resources)
Objective: Exploration and sustainable exploitation of marine biodiversity (fisheries,
aquaculture, biotechnology)
Sustainable exploitation of marine living resources to secure food, supply (Fisheries,
Aquaculture) is a key priority for the EU and also for US and Canada. The ocean's bio4
Policy brief CALAMRE project: Policy recommendations for improved EU and US cooperation in
maritime governance by: Ecologic Institute Andrew Reid and Sandra Cavalieri
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resources provide 15% of the animal protein consumed globally and are a significant
source of business opportunities. The EU seafood market (2010) is worth more than 120
billion Euro/year (fisheries 90, Aquaculture 25, algae 5).
Both sides of the Atlantic have a long expertise in managing fisheries in close
collaboration with the fishing industry and have developed a strong aquaculture sector.
The implementation of an ecosystem approach to fisheries management in order to
achieve maximum sustainable yield whilst preserving goods and services for present and
future generations is a high priority in both the US and Canada and is a key element of
the proposed EU Common Fisheries Policy reform.
The development of competitive and environmentally friendly aquaculture will require
continuing research (in particular on health, disease, nutrition, and breeding). New
technologies and innovative engineering should be developed to progressively move
aquaculture offshore, sharing the space with other infrastructures. The EU would benefit
from exchanging best practices through the KBBE forum, twinning on-going research
projects with those in the US and Canada, and launching of joint initiatives in research &
innovation areas of common interest.
Innovative use and conservation of the Atlantic marine biodiversity (including
seabed biological resources): The global market for innovative biomarine products and
processes has a yearly growth rate of 5 to 10%. As an example, Ireland plans to double
its ocean-derived wealth by 2030 while Norway foresees that its biomarine industry may
increase six times from today’s 12 billion Euro to 75 billion Euro in 2050. The EU
Marine biotechnology market was more than 3 billion Euro in 2010.
Marine research institutes and research funding agencies in both the EU and US are well
placed to deepen understanding of what the rich biodiversity of the ocean can further
offer for innovative foods, pharmaceuticals, biochemical or biofuels whilst preserving
ecosystem functions. Increasingly they are working together. At EU level DG RTD and
JRC are collaborating with US NOAA and NSF on this issue within the framework of the
EU- US TF on Biotechnology.
In complement to the improved understanding and exploitation of the deep sea marine
biological diversity in the Atlantic, DG MARE is working in the frame of a United
Nations working group on the legal aspects of "conservation and sustainable use of
marine diversity beyond areas of national jurisdiction (BBNJ)".
For these two proposed areas possible opportunities for enhanced transatlantic
cooperation could be identified under the international KBBE forum.
Area 4: Critical Raw Materials (CRM) with focus on:
- Seabed exploitation technologies (incl. transport aspects)
- Sustainable exploitation practices
- CRM in Energy
Objective: Sustainable exploitation of seabed resources
Between 2000 and 2010 there has been an annual increase of about 15% in the price of
many non-energy raw materials. The EU and US are industrial economies dependent on
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importing raw materials; this is partly true also for Canada. Our economies share a need
in terms of demand. In terms of offer, the US and Canada have relatively more important
mineral reserves than the EU.
By 2020, 5% of the world's minerals, including cobalt, copper and zinc could come from
the ocean floors. This could rise to 10% by 2030. Global annual turnover of marine
mineral mining can be expected to grow from virtually nothing to €5 billion in the next
10 years and up to €10 billion by 2030.
The EU, US and Canada have a shared interest in Atlantic ocean management and in the
growth of the related economy as well as in appropriate environmental protection, The
recent BP accident in the Gulf of Mexico has highlighted that deep sea operations are
not yet under full technological control.
For this proposed area possible opportunities for enhanced transatlantic cooperation
could be identified under the trilateral dialogue (EU-US-JP), with Canada to be
associated.
Horizontal underpinning area : Bridging to society - Ocean Literacy
An increased understanding of ocean issues among the public can improve acceptance
and sustainability of new marine / maritime activities. Cooperation with the US and
Canada on the issue can generate mutual benefits as the EU and the US have followed
sometimes different but complementary approaches. The US has gone further in
integrating ocean literacy principles in school curricula while the EU has done more in
the area in engaging with society through participative approaches.
Ocean Literacy5 is a prerequisite in Europe’s objective of a more ocean-oriented society
and economy. Preparing an entire community for a closer interaction with the sea is
rewarding for the marine research community and for the science policy-makers. It is
important that the public at large have the information necessary to engage meaningfully
in the discussions and decisions about investments in ocean sciences and the
management of the marine ecosystem in a science-based, sustainable and respectful way.
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The First Conference in Ocean Literacy in Europe took place October 2012 in Bruges. Scientists,
educators and policy makers discussed the future societal challenges related to the seas. The experience
can be used as starting point for transatlantic cooperation. A second conference is to be organised in
Plymouth in September 2013. This could be given a higher profile, with a little EU-US support, by
adding to it a strong transatlantic dimension.
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Annex 1
BUILDING ON EXISTING CONTACTS AND FORA
A number of existing bi-lateral and multilateral cooperation frameworks with
potential to facilitate research and innovation collaboration on both sides of the North
Atlantic exist and should be exploited as appropriate to foster the cooperation under the
Transatlantic Marine Research Alliance idea. These are:
o GEO - Blue Planet Task of GEOSS
Blue Planet Task is a multilateral initiative chaired by the EU, US and Japan
and where Canada participates. The objective of this task is to provide
sustained ocean observations and information to underpin the development,
and assess the efficacy, of global-change adaptation measures (such as those
related to vulnerability and impacts of sea-level rise). GEO being a platform
with very wide activities is nevertheless a well-established cooperation forum.
o Belmont Forum and G8 Heads of Research Councils
The Belmont Forum is a multilateral cooperation involving the Commission
as a member (RTD/Dir. I), the USA (NSF), Canada (NSRC) and several other
countries. The Forum is a high level group of the world's major and emerging
funders of global environmental change research and international science
councils. In 2012 the International Opportunities Fund is organised as a joint
funding call between the Belmont Forum and G8 Heads of Research Councils
(G8HORCs) for approximately 20 million Euros.
o EU-US Task Force on Biotechnology Research (TF):
Well established long lasting task force with a working group on marine
genomics in which NSF and NOAA participate; TF has a tentative roadmap
for 2012-2015-; workshop of the marine group is planned for spring 2013 to
explore the application of marine genomics for the development of marine
sensors as part of a larger early warning system of ocean monitoring. No
direct Canadian involvement yet, which however could be associated to a
specific activity.
o International Knowledge Based Bio-Economy Forum (KBBE)
The forum created in 2010 has one working group on fisheries and
aquaculture in which Canada is involved; No direct involvement of US yet,
which however could be associated to a specific activity.
o Trilateral dialogue EU-US-Japan on Critical Raw Materials
Well-structured cooperative dialogue moving towards joint research
implementation; first-line DoE involvement and growing NSF interest, in view
of possible joint research actions. Mining under extreme conditions is
proposed for the agenda of the next Trilateral Conference scheduled to be
held in Brussels on 29-30 May 2013. (Canada also participated in certain
events).
This list is not exhaustive; beside the above mentioned fora there might be others which
could be linked to a Transatlantic Marine Research Alliance between EU, US and
Canada.
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