OKEANOS

From the Atlantic to the Indian Ocean and the Caribbean, the EU Outermost Regions offer Europe something truly distinctive: access to an extraordinary diversity of marine environments, scientific expertise and knowledge, and unique opportunities to advance ocean research and innovation.

They are much more than strategic geographical locations. They are active contributors to Europe's ocean ambitions.

Through long-term ocean observation, research on tropical and deep-sea ecosystems, marine biodiversity monitoring, technology development and testing in open-ocean environments just minutes away from shore, and cooperation with neighbouring countries and island states, the Outermost Regions are already generating knowledge, expertise and solutions that can benefit Europe as a whole.
The challenge now is to fully mobilise these strengths.

How can Europe make better use of this unique potential?
The REMORA consortium has developed two new publications to contribute to this discussion:
A Manifesto for Europe's Ocean Frontiers – a concise statement of the strategic contribution of the Outermost Regions, with four key recommendations.
The REMORA Ocean Policy Brief – an in-depth analysis of their contributions to European ocean priorities, the opportunities they offer, and the policy measures needed to unlock their full potential.

Our four recommendations call for Europe to:

Recognise the Outermost Regions as strategic assets for European ocean research, knowledge and innovation.
Build on their existing scientific and technological capacities, strengthening a permanent and connected ocean observation network.
Invest in people and research ecosystems, developing, attracting and retaining the talent needed to sustain their contribution.
Fully integrate them into European research and ocean governance, ensuring meaningful participation in EU programmes, initiatives and decision-making.

With the European Ocean Pact, the future Ocean Act and FP10 taking shape, there is an opportunity to make the Outermost Regions an integral part of Europe's ocean R&I strategy.
Europe already has these assets. It is time to make the most of them.

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