Strategy for sustainability of the Joint European Research Infrastructure Network for Coastal Observatories - JERICO

Abstract

The JERICO European research infrastructure (RI) is integrating several platform types i.e. fixed buoys, piles, moorings, drifters, Ferryboxes, gliders, HF radars, coastal cable observatories and the associated technologies dedicated to the observation and monitoring of the European coastal seas. The infrastructure is to serve both the implementation of European marine policies and the elucidation of key scientific questions through dedicated observation and monitoring plans. It includes observations of the physical, chemical and biological compartments and aims at a better integration of marine biology with physical and chemical oceanology, through specific interactions with other relevant ocean observing systems that provide complementary observations. The first phase of the implementation of JERICO encompasses setting up, coordination and harmonization, and were performed between 2011 and 2015 in the framework of FP7-JERICO (www.jerico-fp7.eu), a 4-year long infrastructure project co-funded by the European Commission, with 27 partners from 17 European countries under the coordination of IFREMER. The next 4-year phase is to be carried out through the H2020-JERICO-NEXT European project, starting in 2015 and involving 33 scientific and industrial partners. The main objective of the JERICO consortium is to establish a common approach for a pan-European coastal marine observatory network. This is a dynamic and long-lasting effort necessitating continuous work towards harmonization (i.e. design, operation, and maintenance), evolution and extension of the current systems as well as the delivery of data and products to the users. Success relies on a good coordination and follow-up between FP7-JERICO and JERICO-NEXT, and onwards, at both hardware and software levels. More specifically, the existing network and its possible evolution are continuously assessed taking in account the evolution of the user needs, the harmonization effort to be driven, the existing sensors and- technologies, their upgrades for integration on dedicated platforms, also the accompanying of under development sensors and/or systems with involvement of providers and stakeholders when possible. Nevertheless, a major issue relates to the sustainability of the infrastructure, both at economical and governance levels, and the capability in integrating the latest technology while preserving the scientific value of the data. This paper briefly summarizes the work carried out in FP7-JERICO project and drafts strategic aspects of the JERICO-RI sustainability on the long-term. s. We will present the 6 priority scientific areas that are the drivers of JERICO-NEXT scientific strategy and the subsequent technology development to be implemented through dedicated Joint Research Activity Projects. Emphasis is put on how the consortium intends to address long term financial and legal governance structures for the sustainable implementation of JERICO-NEXT infrastructures, as well as access to the infrastructure and associated services and link to stakeholders such as relevant funding agencies and SMEs.