The EU4OceanObs Team at Mercator Ocean International will enhance Europe’s international engagement and leadership in the collection and use of ocean observations to address societal needs and environmental concerns. The team will work under the guidance of the European Commission’s Foreign Policy Instrument Service and a EC steering committee composed of representatives from various directorates (Defence, Industry and Space; Maritime Affairs and Environment; Research and Innovation; Executive Agency for SMEs, the Joint Research Centre in Ispra, and the European External Action Service). The project taskforce, led by the Scientific Director of Mercator Ocean International, includes the EU action coordinators of the G7 Future of the Seas and Oceans Initiative (FSOI), GEO Blue Planet, and expertise at Mercator Ocean International in communications, marketing, and international relations.

Meet the Team

Pierre-Yves Le Traon

EU4OceanObs Project Coordinator


Scientific Director of Mercator Ocean International

Maria Hood

Maria Hood

EU4OceanObs Action Coordinator

G7 Future of the Seas & Oceans Initiative (FSOI)

Audrey Hasson, Head of GEO Blue Planet EU Office

Audrey Hasson

EU4OceanObs Action Coordinator

Group on Earth Observations (GEO) Blue Planet Initiative

Lillian Diarra

EU4OceanObs Communication and Outreach Officer

Maria Grigoratou

EU4OCeanObs Science Officer (expertise biological oceanography)

G7 Future of the Seas & Oceans Initiative (FSOI)

Cécile Thomas Courcoux

Advisory role EU4OceanObs


Head of International Development & Relations at Mercator Ocean International

Laurence Crosnier

Advisory role EU4OceanObs


Head of Marketing & Communication at Mercator Ocean International