News

2021-01-25

A key activity within AANChOR CSA  consists in the creation of an All-Atlantic Ocean Research Multi-Stakeholder Platform to bring together groups of experts to identify concrete cooperation activities in selected key aspects of the All-Atlantic Ocean Research Alliance.

Following a year-long collaborative process among more than 70 stakeholders at the Atlantic level, the All-Atlantic Ocean Research Alliance Multi-Stakeholder Platform, divided in 5 sub-multi-stakeholders’ platforms for operational reasons, identified more than 1000 initiatives towards strengthening marine research and innovation collaboration in the Atlantic level, and 56 gaps and 79 needs/recommendations to achieve All-Atlantic Ocean Research Alliance ambition, guided by a total of 20 Strategic Objectives, 20 Operational Objectives and 10 Key Performance Indicators.

Based on these findings and on the idea of collaboration, alignment and use of existing resources, they have developed six ambitious and long-term collaborative Joint Actions. Those Joint Actions have been presented for the first time at the 3rd All-Atlantic Ocean Research Forum that took place virtually on December 3rd and 4th, hosted by South Africa and co-organised by the European Commission.

One of the key aspects for the implementation of the Joint Actions is to connect with existing institutions and other initiatives working in a complementary way with the aim to avoid duplication of work and waste of resources. In 2021, the approved Joint Actions will receive seed money from AANChOR for the initial stages of their implementation.

Four of the six presented joint Actions are ready to set sails, while other two will be re-worked. Brief summaries of the four approved ones are provided below: 

• All-Atlantic Ocean Capacity Development and Training Platform: This joint action proposes in the long-term to set up an All-Atlantic Training Platform (AATP) for the organization of capacity development measures in marine science and technology. In the short term, and with respect to soliciting seed funding, three specific activities are planned to support the overall long-term effort: kick-off conference for the establishment of the priorities and the strategic management structure for the All-Atlantic Platform, Floating University Network, and summer school for early career scientists including components for technicians and data treatment. AANChOR multi-stakeholder platform manager and Joint Action Leader: Werner Ekau, ZMT-KDM (werner.ekau@leibniz-zmt.de)

• All-Atlantic Data Enterprise 2030: This joint action aims at creating a one-stop, user-friendly transatlantic platform for the natural, social, and humanistic-scientific data: the All-Atlantic Ocean Data Space (AAODS). The AAODS will assure that, in the future, all stakeholders have free access to relevant data, thus safeguarding sustainable stewardship of the Atlantic Ocean. The joint action intends to contribute towards future forms of ocean governance by producing a set of recommendations and products to drastically improve the handling and the accessibility of marine data along the Atlantic Basin. AANChOR multi-stakeholder platform manager: Nicolas Dittert, ZMT-KDM, Germany (nicolas.dittert@leibniz-zmt.de). Joint Action Leader: Olga Sato, University of São Paulo, Brazil olga.sato@usp.br

• All-Atlantic Blue Schools Network: The main goal of this joint action is to improve ocean literacy and ocean awareness in society by creating responsible and active generations that contribute to Ocean's sustainability. This will be achieved through an international collaborative programme of different National Blue Schools Networks. AANChOR multi-stakeholder platform manager: Ana Noronha, Ciência Viva, Portugal (anoronha@cienciaviva.pt). Joint Action Leader: Ronaldo Christofoletti, Federal University of São Paulo, Brazil christofoletti@unifesp.br

• All-Atlantic Marine Research Infrastructure Network (AA-MARINET): The main goal of this joint action is to create a long-term collaboration framework to promote and facilitate the convergence and the alignment of Research and Innovation infrastructure initiatives. AA-MARINET will support the implementation of the Belém Statement, by providing a forum and tools to support the development of a transatlantic network of RI initiatives and promote Trans-National Access (TNA) and other methods for sharing infrastructures in the Atlantic area. AANChOR multi-stakeholder platform manager and Joint Action Leader: Florence Coroner, IFREMER, France (florence.coroner@ifremer.fr)

The participation of all All-Atlantic marine stakeholders is crucial to deliver the above indicated joint actions and to reach the desired impact.

How can you get involved?

The current open call for collaboration intends to start connecting interested stakeholders at the Atlantic level with the All-Atlantic Ocean Research Alliance Joint Actions. By filling in this survey you express your interest in knowing more and collaborate with the respective(s) joint action. On the other hand, we will be able to better understand which tools or instruments you have in your institution or initiative that could contribute to strengthening the Atlantic marine research and innovation cooperation in each of the joint actions.

Stay tuned for further and detailed information soon, available in the All-Atlantic Ocean Research Alliance Portal!