Blue Cluster provides input for European ocean strategy
The European Commission is currently preparing the future European Ocean and Water Research & Innovation Strategy. As part of that process, it organised a public consultation through which stakeholders from across Europe could formulate their recommendations.
In this context, Blue Cluster submitted a position paper. The document builds on earlier recommendations the cluster developed for the European Ocean Pact and the European Ocean Act, and puts forward five strategic priorities for the further development of the blue economy:
- digitalisation and automation;
- offshore energy;
- maritime infrastructure and security;
- sustainable coastal management and Nature-Based Solutions; and
- the economic viability of multi-use concepts at sea.
From research to implementation
Blue Cluster highlights the importance of integrated strategies at the level of Europe’s sea basins, strong maritime spatial planning, and the further development of ports as innovation hubs. According to the cluster, sustainable blue food systems and maritime security should also occupy a prominent place within the future European research and innovation agenda.
Furthermore, Blue Cluster emphasises the need to accelerate the progression of innovation from research to demonstration, scaling up, and market deployment. Innovation clusters can play an important role in this by connecting businesses, knowledge institutions, and public authorities.
Finally, the cluster calls attention to ocean observation and monitoring as essential foundations for informed policy decisions and investments. Initiatives such as OceanEye can help make reliable data available to all stakeholders within the blue economy.
About OceanEye
OceanEye is the European ocean observation initiative within the European Ocean Pact. The programme aims to strengthen knowledge of our seas through better use of data, new observation technologies, and digital ocean models.
