ALL-ATLANTIC JOINT PILOT ACTIONS

AIM 

The All-Atlantic Marine Research Infrastructure Network (AA-MARINET) aims at the creation of a long-term collaboration framework to promote and facilitate the convergence and the alignment of Research and Innovation infrastructure initiatives at the Atlantic Ocean level. The Network will encourage and establish an effective process for sharing marine research infrastructures including implementation of an All-Atlantic Trans-National Access (TNA) mechanism, starting by (1) implementing a web portal to unlock the potential for the articulation of the observation activities conducted in the Atlantic basin, (2) promoting a case-study focusing on the possibility to exchange ship-time and autonomous systems for monitoring and/or cooperation opportunities during planned cruises between research vessel operators from different Atlantic countries and (3) working on three pilot specific domains: Coastal observation (AA-COASTNET), Pelagic imaging (I/ITAPINA) and Polar research (NMPRI).

Marine research infrastructures provide the tools scientists and innovators need to know and better understand ocean ecosystems and to develop solutions for the sustainable use of its resources. The use and long-term sustainability of marine research infrastructures cost more than most countries can afford. For this reason, the establishment of an effective process for sharing marine research infrastructures, including the implementation of an All-Atlantic Trans-National Access mechanism, is of crucial importance to solving the common challenges at the Atlantic Ocean level.

Visit the All-Atlantic Marine Research Infrastructure Network website! 

ACTIVITIES 

To achieve the goals established for this Joint Action, several activities are planned to be realized:

• Set up of the Development and Management Group and the Community Group 

• Implement an All-Atlantic Ocean observation activities web portal and assess its impact

• Implement a case study on ship-time sharing and cooperation opportunities and draft guidelines on research infrastructure sharing in the Atlantic

• Implement a case study on ship-time sharing and cooperation opportunities and draft guidelines on research infrastructure sharing in the Atlantic

• AA-COASTNET Pilot action: Workshop and training activity related to the design and construction of low-cost sensors and platforms to be deployed along with coastal areas

• NMPRI Pilot action: Workshop and roadmap for implementation of TNA in polar stations

EXPECTED OUTCOMES 

Short-term outcomes:

• Implementation of governance structure bodies and report with vision and implementation strategy of the All-Atlantic Marine Research Infrastructure Network;

• Fully operational All-Atlantic Ocean observation activities web portal;

• Case study on ship-time sharing and cooperation opportunities and guidelines on research infrastructure sharing in the Atlantic;

• Implementation of 3 networks:

  • Coastal observation (AA-COASTNET) – including report with recommendations on research infrastructures sharing and a training activity;

  • Plankton imaging (I/ITAPINA) – including a roadmap with activities to spread tools, to provide transnational access to the respective hardware, and to aggregate the resulting data;

  • Polar research (NMRI-PR) – including the definition of long-term objectives for research infrastructure sharing.

Long-term outcomes:

• Fully implement the All-Atlantic Marine Research Infrastructure Network;

• Fully implement thematic networks promoting sharing of research infrastructures.

IMPACT 

The All-Atlantic Marine Research Infrastructure Network will have a direct impact on the better articulation infrastructure related activities in the global Atlantic area thus increasing the opportunities to observe the Atlantic space and the collection of complementary measurements. More specifically the following impacts are expected:

• Environmental impact: Contribute to gather rapid support “in the field” to help operational centers involved in the management of crisis at sea. This will mitigate the potentially large impacts to the environment associated with those crises;

• Business/Economic impact: Optimize the use of ocean observing infrastructures operating in the Atlantic through a direct impact on the reduction of the global financial effort allocated to ocean observation;

• Research: Overall improvement in the understanding of the Atlantic Ocean and its resources due to an increased number of ocean complementary observations.

The All-Atlantic Marine Research Infrastructure Network will join forces, promote efficient cooperation and maximize impact by bringing together different initiatives that are presently responsible for the observations in the Atlantic Ocean in general, and for the articulation of specific observing systems, including the All-Atlantic Ocean Research Alliance related projects.

The All-Atlantic Marine Research Infrastructure Network will support the implementation of the All-Atlantic Ocean Research Alliance by providing a forum and tools to support the development of a transatlantic network of research infrastructure initiatives and promote Trans-National Access and other methods for sharing infrastructures in the Atlantic area. More specifically, the All-Atlantic Marine Research Infrastructure Network will:

• Provide a platform for scientific and technological cooperation by connecting existing observation networks and promoting collaborative actions;

• Increase operational efficiencies by optimizing the appropriate use and sharing of research infrastructures;

• Develop our common understanding and expanding our scientific knowledge on the Atlantic;

• Promote and facilitate capacity development through scientific exchange.

The All-Atlantic Marine Research Infrastructure Network will benefit the following key common areas of interest under the All-Atlantic Ocean Research Alliance:  Climate Variability,  Ocean Observation, Ocean Resources, Ocean Technology, Emerging Pollutant, Polar Research.

PARTNERS INVOLVED

This Joint Pilot Action is led by AIR Centre, based in Portugal, and IFREMER, from France. The countries already involved in the All-Atlantic Marine Research Infrastructure Network are: Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Cabo Verde, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Nigeria, Portugal, Senegal, South Africa, Spain, United States of America

WHO ELSE CAN BE INVOLVED?

Programme Managers, Programme owners, projects, international initiatives managing research infrastructures, researchers, technicians

CONTACTS

For inquiries about this Joint Action, please contact José Moutinho at the AIR Centre, in Portugal, via email (jose.moutinho@aircentre.org).

NEWS

- The I/ITAPINA first workshop was held on the 28th and 29th of June - check out here the outcomes!

- All-Atlantic Talks Podcast "Marine Research Infrastructures & International Cooperation in the Atlantic Ocean"

- Panel discussion at the Blue Talks Event - March 17, 2022

- Polar Research Workshop on 12th July 2022 in the Portuguese Embassy in Washington DC, USA as a side event to the All Atlantic 2022 Ministerial Meeting - 12 July 2022 

OUTCOMES 

Coming soon

Download our infographic below!