Since its inception in October 2020, the EU4OceanObs project is implemented by Mercator Ocean International, a global leader in ocean forecasting and analysis, entrusted entity of the European Commission for the implementation of the Copernicus Marine Service, the European Digital Twin Ocean (EDITO) public infrastructure and other key initiaitives.

Mercator Ocean International established the EU4OceanObs project taskforce who works under the guidance of the European Commission to ensure that activities are driven by EU policy directives, research priorities, and investments in ocean observing assets. Monitored by the European Research Executive Agency (REA), the project’s advisory board consists of representatives across different Directorate Generals, including Research and Innovation (RTD), Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (MARE), Defence Industry and Space (DEFIS) and International Partnerships (INTPA).

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, GEO Blue Planet and G7 FSOI Communication and Outreach Officer

Maria Grigoratou

EU4OCeanObs Science Officer (expertise biological oceanography)

G7 Future of the Seas & Oceans Initiative (FSOI)

Stephanie Cuven

Science Officer for the EU4OceanObs Ocean Decade Action

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