Ocean monitoring: EU OceanEye expands drones and satellites to track warming seas

The European Union expanded plans to watch Earth’s oceans more closely. The push used underwater drones and ocean satellites. It came as climate change drove marine heat waves and stronger storms. The move also followed signals of steep cuts to a similar US monitoring system.

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The European Commission announced a 92 million euros ($107 million) package called OceanEye on Wednesday. Ursula von der Leyen said the programme strengthened global efforts to study deep oceans. "This is about using science and good governance to understand our ocean and secure our future,\" von der Leyen said.

Ocean monitoring network and climate change risks

Oceans covered about 70% of Earth and supported huge ecosystems. Marine life helped produce oxygen and take in carbon dioxide. Climate change warmed oceans faster and harmed coral reefs. Scientists also linked warmer seas to stronger storms and drought. Species faced extra pressure from overfishing and industrial pollution.

Better ocean monitoring could help protect ecosystems and guide rules. Observations could show early signs of damage and new threats. The EU said stronger information improved planning for biodiversity protection. It also helped authorities respond to climate-driven risks across European waters.

Ocean monitoring network and US funding cuts

In May, US officials began signalling plans to gut the Ocean Observatories Initiative. The network had more than 900 ocean sensors. It cost $386 million to build. It had collected real-time data for over a decade. It was funded by the National Science Foundation.

The observatories tracked ocean circulation, marine ecosystems, climate change and extreme weather. The data remained free to use. It supported more than 500 scientific publications. The project was set to run for another 15 to 20 years. EU officials said OceanEye planning started before the US signals.

Ocean monitoring network targets under Global Ocean Observing System

International coordination ran through the Global Ocean Observing System. The US collected more than half of the system’s data. Europe produced about a quarter. Japan, Australia, India and China followed. Pierre-Yves Le Traon said Europe needed to increase its contribution.

By 2035, the EU aimed to cover 35% of Earth’s maritime monitoring network. It also wanted to become the leading provider of ocean intelligence. Le Traon worked as an oceanographer and scientific director at Mercator Ocean International in Toulouse, France.

Ocean monitoring network data use and Digital Twin Ocean

Robotic sensors, underwater and in orbit, sent information to many users. These included shipping firms, fisheries, emergency services and researchers. Mercator Ocean Institute was building a real-time virtual model called the Digital Twin Ocean. The data supported decisions on climate adaptation and planning.

The monitoring also mattered for industries on land and at sea. Le Traon listed aquaculture, shipping in icy waters, coastal tourism and agriculture. Navies also used such information. \"Knowledge is essential if we want to manage the ocean,\" Le Traon said. \"We really have to be very active for the monitoring and protecting of the ocean because the ocean matters for to everyone: for life at sea, for life on Earth.\"

Odran Corcoran, a policy advisor for Oceana, said lawmakers needed deeper data. Corcoran said it would help regulate fisheries management and support marine protection. Corcoran added that Europe needed information to close gaps on biodiversity and seabed knowledge.

The EU funds were set to support private incubators for ocean technology. They also aimed to strengthen existing institutions, including the Global Ocean Observing System. The bloc had 27 nations, and 22 had coastlines. These coasts touched the Baltic Sea, Atlantic Ocean, Black Sea and Mediterranean.

France had major ocean science institutions within the bloc. France also held large maritime borders through overseas territories. These included Réunion in the Pacific and Saint Martin in the Caribbean. France also had the Scattered Islands in the Indian Ocean, which expanded monitoring reach.

With inputs from PTI