A recent workshop at Venezia Certosa Marina with EBI involvement marked a milestone in the development of the JPI Oceans European Marinas Network Scoping Action. More information on the background of the proposal can be found here.

The workshop discussed the importance of marinas in coastal ecosystems. They highlighted the potential benefits of environmental monitoring and data collection for ocean science, emphasising the challenges and opportunities in achieving sustainability, digital transformation, and community engagement in the marina sector. It can also add to the value proposition of marinas for stakeholders and policy-makers, supporting the value to society through participation in science.

Thorsten Kiefer, Executive Director of JPI Oceans provided an insightful overview of the tools and approaches for implementing Joint Actions, detailing the life cycle from idea generation to implementation. This was followed by Melanie Symes (TransEurope Marinas) and Philip Easthill (EBII) presenting the original Joint Action idea, which focuses on leveraging marinas for ocean science and sustainability. The proposed platform aims to centralise data collection and analysis from various sources, including citizen science initiatives and environmental sensors.

Participants from various countries and organisations shared their perspectives and expertise. The first round of discussions emphasised importance of data-driven decision-making. The conversation also covered the role of citizen science and innovative sensor technologies in monitoring marine environments.

Key goals for the potential Joint Action include developing an understanding of environmental conditions within marinas, empowering marinas as hubs for ocean stewardship, and informing policy and decision-making. The group discussed establishing a network of marinas, deploying standardised sensor packages, and creating a central data repository.

The intended outcomes of the Joint Action include establishing a coordinated network of marinas, developing standard sensor packages, and creating an open-access data repository. The aim will be to enhance understanding of marina environments, promote sustainable behaviours, and support smart policy decisions.

The workshop concluded with plans to draft a concept paper that will be put forward to the JPI Oceans Management Board in autumn 2024. EBI will continue to be involved in development of the concept. Interest in collaboration can be signalled to the EBI Secretariat.