Areas Of Action
During the 2023 All-Atlantic Ocean Research and Innovation Alliance (AAORIA) Annual Forum in Cape Town, South Africa, in the Joint Outcome Statement, the AAORIA High Level Board agreed to focus on the following two areas of action that aim to inspire transformative All-Atlantic ocean science:
- Increasing our understanding of the relationship between the ocean and climate and developing outcome-oriented science for mitigating and adapting to the consequences of climate change, particularly for the benefit of increasing resilience of coastal communities;
- Coordinating Atlantic Ocean observing and improving modeling capacities, including in support of marine ecosystems and biodiversity.
Since then, subsequent forums have built on and expanded these priorities. The 2024 AAORIA Forum in Ottawa, Canada identified additional areas of focus, such as the Blue Intergenerational Programme, then launched at the 2025 AAORIA Forum in Brussels, Belgium. The 2025 Forum also highlighted food and aquaculture among other emerging priorities. The 2026 AAORIA Forum in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, provided opportunities to explore new proposed activity areas:
- Biodiversity initiatives from science to implementation of Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) tools, exploring three potential lines of work: 1) understanding how the utilization of innovative technologies can better characterize biodiversity; 2) seeking opportunities for science to inform implementation of MSP to design effective management areas for conservation and sustainable use; and 3) scoping collaborative efforts to better understand effectiveness of area-based management tools such as MSP and Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).
- Advancing Atlantic ocean observations and modelling efforts in the context of Large Scale Experimental Research through the possible establishment of an Atlantic Latitudinal Mesocosm Network which could produce necessary data to validate ocean and climate modelling.
- Advancing Atlantic ocean modelling by working toward a coordinated All-Atlantic food web modelling effort that more accurately includes connectivity of species and energy flows compared to current models.
This evolution of priorities reflects the Alliance’s commitment to adapt to emerging scientific and societal needs.
AAORIA continues to advance ocean literacy and expand diverse participation in ocean sciences and sustainability. Central to our efforts is a commitment to accessibility, equity, and inclusion, with a specific focus on promoting gender equality, fostering intergenerational equity in ocean science, and supporting the meaningful involvement of Indigenous Peoples.
Coastal communities, which are home to millions of people across the Atlantic Ocean, face some of the most immediate and severe challenges posed by climate change. By enhancing coastal resilience, we not only protect vulnerable communities but also ensure sustainable development and environmental preservation for generations to come.
The All-Atlantic Coastal Resilience Hub was created as a central resource to empower all stakeholders working to bolster resilience along the Atlantic’s coastlines. This platform brings together ongoing actions, best practices, stories, toolkits, and expert scientific knowledge, fostering collaboration across coastal communities. Whether you are a researcher, policymaker, or a community member the Hub provides essential tools and resources to support your efforts in enhancing coastal resilience. It is also the central hub for the All-Atlantic Network of Coastal Resilience Beacon Sites.
The All-Atlantic Network of Coastal Resilience Beacon Sites was launched at the 2025 All-Atlantic Forum in Brussels, Belgium. This network connects locally managed sites across the Atlantic that demonstrate practical, science-based solutions to coastal risks such as sea-level rise, erosion, and biodiversity loss. Each Beacon Site serves as a living laboratory, sharing what works in practice, from nature-based solutions to governance models, so that lessons learned can be scaled and adapted across regions.
You too can join the Beacon Sites Network, and:
Exchange best practices and innovative methods
Collaborate with scientists, communities, and policymakers
Showcase impact and gain visibility at international fora
Together, the Hub and the Beacon Sites Network provide essential tools, resources, and evidence-based guidance to empower communities and strengthen resilience strategies. These platforms offer opportunities to collaborate, exchange best practices, and join a growing Atlantic-wide community of action.
The ocean is a cornerstone of life on Earth, influencing climate, weather, and biodiversity. Yet, our understanding of this vast and complex system remains incomplete, limiting our ability to address pressing global challenges. By improving observing and modelling capacities, we can monitor the health of marine ecosystems, predict climate impacts, and guide sustainable ocean management.
The AAORIA Ocean Observation and Modelling Work Plan, endorsed during the 2024 Forum, provides a framework for fostering innovation, inclusivity, and collaboration across the Atlantic. Focusing on ocean productivity, including sustainable fisheries, the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), and the interactions between land, coast, and ocean, this effort not only advances scientific understanding but also ensures that local communities, policymakers, and researchers have access to the knowledge and tools needed to respond to environmental and societal challenges.
The report on Expert Recommendations on Ocean Observations and Modelling, was then released in August 2025, building on the endorsed Work Plan. Five working groups with All-Atlantic expert representation convened in early 2025 to provide targeted and actionable recommendations for each of the endorsed priority areas, including:
Ocean productivity across trophic levels;
Productivity in the deep sea including connections to the upper ocean;
The dynamics of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) and how they may change;
Connections between coastal land, coastal ocean, and open ocean;
Methods to improve Atlantic ocean data management across zones with FAIR and CARE principles.
The expert recommendations on ocean observing and modelling will serve as a reference point for future AAORIA planning, activities, and targeted funding. We encourage all partners and stakeholders to review and share the report and the executive summary widely.
Explore more projects enhancing the Atlantic Ocean observing systems, click below!
View the “Expert Recommendations on Ocean Observations and Modelling” report
Click on the image to read the report.
