Ocean Observing Awareness Campaign
Part 2: EMBRC
The second segment of the EU4OceanObs ocean observing awareness campaign focuses on marine biology and ecology observation with spotlight on the European Marine Biological Resource Centre (EMBRC). As the effects of climate change worsen and human activity keeps taking its ever-growing toll on the marine world, never has our oceans, and the services they provide, felt so vital to our societies and our economies. In this context, understanding and monitoring marine biodiversity, that is – life in our oceans, play a crucial role in protecting, managing sustainably and restoring our planet’s largest ecosystem.
EMBRC’s ambition to accelerate knowledge of marine biodiversity is underpinned by its mission to provide a range of state-of-the-art facilities to support basic and applied marine research globally. Established as a European Research Infrastructure Consortium (ERIC) by the European Commission in 2018, today the EMBRC consortium is made up of 9 member countries, facilitating access to marine biodiversity and its ecosystems, as well as research facilities in over 70 marine stations in Europe.
EMBRC developed the European Marine Omics Biodiversity Observation Network (EMO BON) and coordinates several research and innovation projects with the goal to fill current gaps in marine biodiversity observation, while collecting and spreading data and insights into the composition and health of biodiversity.
Thanks to a collaborative effort between the EU4OceanObs team at Mercator Ocean International, EMBRC headquarters and INUA PROD, the campaign features an array of articles, photos and videos, including footage from the Kristineberg Centre, one of EMBRC’s marine sites in Sweden. The materials produced aim to raise awareness on the major role of marine biodiversity observing efforts and EU research infrastructures, such as EMBRC’s uniqueness in advancing knowledge for our planet and societies. The content spotlights EMBRC’s key contribution to the European and global ocean observing landscape, unpacking societal impacts, EMBRC’s flagship initiatives and research projects, challenges and future needs, among others. The resources also seek to illustrate the importance of generational diversity and exchange of knowledge by crossing the vision and role of both experienced and early-career professionals.
Videos
Teaser: Marine biology observation with EMBRC
Marine biology observation with EMBRC
Articles
Through the articles below, find out more about EMBRC, its resources, services and projects, and how it is mobilising multiple stakeholders, from scientists, industries to policymakers, international organisations and citizens, towards open science on a global scale. Become acquainted with some of the human faces and diversity of profiles driving EMBRC, with quotes and viewpoints from different experts as well as from EuroGOOS and the European Commission representatives for input on the broader ocean observing European landscape.
Click on the titles below to access the PDF of each article.
Photo Gallery
The INUA production team journeyed out to the Kristineberg Centre for Marine Research and Innovation, part of the University of Gothenburg and one of the marine sites under EMBRC-Sweden. With the help of Matthias Obst an oceanographer at the University of Gothenburg and the EMBRC Sweden Liaison officer, the crew managed to capture some day-to-day work in Kristineberg facilities and showcasing the diversity of tasks, from sampling to laboratory analysis supported by both young and experienced researchers driving innovation and research.
Autonomous Reef Monitoring Structures (ARMS) supported by EMBRC and other partners, crucial to understand long-term changes in coastal habitats and detect arrival of non-indigenous species
Kristineberg Center for Marine Research and Innovation, a marine station part of EMBRC Sweden
Student collecting seaweed at the Kristineberg Centre, a marine station part of EMBRC Sweden
Experimental facilities at the Kristineberg Centre, a marine station part of EMBRC Sweden
Samples analysis at the Kristineberg Centre, a marine station part of EMBRC Sweden
Imaging analysis at the Kristineberg Centre's facilities, a marine station part of EMBRC Sweden
Coastal research vessels at the Kristineberg Centre for Marine Research and Innovation, a marine station part of EMBRC Sweden
Kristineberg Center for Marine Research and Innovation, a marine station part of EMBRC Sweden
Seaweed sampling in coastal waters near the Kristineberg Center for Marine Research and Innovation, a marine station part of EMBRC Sweden
Kristineberg Center for Marine Research and Innovation, a marine station part of EMBRC Sweden
Facilities at the Kristineberg Centre, a marine station part of EMBRC Sweden
Divers at Kristineberg Centre, a marine station part of EMBRC Sweden
Lichens in Gullmarsfjord surroundings near the Kristineberg Centre, a marine station part of EMBRC Sweden
Kristineberg Center for Marine Research and Innovation, a marine station part of EMBRC Sweden
Seagrass observations at the Kristineberg Centre, a marine station part of EMBRC Sweden
Students collecting seaweed near the Kristineberg Centre, a marine station part of EMBRC Sweden, in the Gullmarsfjord in Sweden
Students collecting seaweed near the Kristineberg Centre, a marine station part of EMBRC Sweden, in the Gullmarsfjord in Sweden
Kristineberg Center for Marine Research and Innovation, a marine station part of EMBRC Sweden
Student collecting seagrasses at the Kristineberg Centre, a marine station part of EMBRC Sweden
Kristineberg Center for Marine Research and Innovation, a marine station part of EMBRC Sweden
Examples of marine biodiversity in the coastal waters near the Kristineberg Centre, a marine research station part of EMBRC Sweeden, located in the Gullmarsfjord
Student conducting measurements on seaweed at the Kristineberg Centre, a marine station part of EMBRC Sweden
Student conducting measurements on seaweed at the Kristineberg Centre, a marine station part of EMBRC Sweden
Unique and high level of marine biodiversity in Gullmarsfjorden where the Kristineberg Centre is located, a marine station part of EMBRC Sweden
Unique and high level of marine biodiversity in Gullmarsfjorden where the Kristineberg Centre is located, a marine station part of EMBRC Sweden
Marine biodiversity (sea star) in Gullmarsfjorden where the Kristineberg Centre is located, a marine station part of EMBRC Sweden
Students analysing samples of marine life at the Kristineberg Centre, a marine station part of EMBRC Sweden
Students sampling marine life observations at the Kristineberg Centre, a marine station part of EMBRC Sweden
Test tubes at the Kristineberg Centre, a marine station part of EMBRC Sweden
Kristineberg Centre experimental facilities
Examples of marine biodiversity (sea urchins) in the coastal waters near the Kristineberg Centre, a marine research station part of EMBRC Sweeden, located in the Gullmarsfjord
Students conducting lab work at the Kristineberg Centre, a marine station part of EMBRC Sweden
Sample of marine life (mussel) at the Kristineberg Centre laboratory facilities, a marine station part of EMBRC Sweden
Matthias Obst oceanographer and EMBRC Sweden Liaison Officer discussing with a colleague at the Kristineberg Centre
Student carrying out measurements on marine life sampled in the Kristineberg Centre's laboratories.
Seawater filters at the Kristineberg Centre, a marine station part of EMBRC Sweden
Students observing samples collected at the Kristineberg Centre, a marine station part of EMBRC Sweden
Kristineberg Center facilities, a marine station part of EMBRC Sweden
Kristineberg Center for Marine Research and Innovation, a marine station part of EMBRC Sweden
Acknowledgements
The campaign was funded by the European Union through the EU4OceanObs Foreign Policy Instrument (FPI) Action. Coordinated by EU4OceanObs in close collaboration with EMBRC, the communication materials were produced by INUA Prod. We would like to thank everyone who participated in the campaign, and agreed to be interviewed and advise the project along the way – all experts and researchers from EMBRC, University of Gothenburg/ Kristineberg Centre, EuroGOOS and the European Commission.
Useful links
- EMBRC website: www.embrc.eu
- EU R&D project MARine Coastal BiOdiversity Long-term Observations (MARCO-BOLO) project website: marcobolo-project.eu
- EU R&D project Observing And Mapping Marine Ecosystems – Next Generation Tools (OBAMA-Next) : obama-next.eu
- European Marine Omics Biodiversity Observation Network (EMO BON): www.embrc.eu/services/emo-bon
- Ocean Biomolecular Observing Network (OBON): www.obon-ocean.org
- GOOS Biology and Ecosystems (BioEco) Panel: www.goosocean.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=289&Itemid=438
