The Ocean Data Interoperability Platform (ODIP) contributes to the removal of barriers hindering the effective sharing of data across scientific domains and international boundaries. ODIP includes all the major organisations engaged in ocean data management in EU, US, and Australia.

EU-PolarNet aims to improve co-ordination between EU member polar research institutions building on existing networks to create a resource orientated infrastructure access and usage plan. This plan would allow for the co-ordination of data and infrastructure between all the partner organisations.

This project is a VLIR-UOS South Initiative, with a budget of 75,000 €. The promoter in Belgium is Prof. Ludwig Triest (Vrije Universiteit Brussel), and in Burundi, Prof. Joël Ndayishimiye (Université du Burundi). Its co-promoters are Dr Luc Janssens de Bisthoven (CEBioS) and Benoit Nzigidahera (OBPE, Burundi).

NewSTHEPS will develop innovative approaches and novel practical techniques that address the current fundamental scientific and methodological issues related to the implementation of Good Environmental Status (GES) for Descriptor 8 of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive in national and European waters.

LATTECO will investigate whether novel genes have been acquired by lateral gene transfer (LGT) in the ostracod Darwinula stevensoni. We chose this micro-crustacean as model species because it is of old age (several million years), is a putative ancient asexual and has a wide ecological tolerance.

Within Europe’s Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD), progress towards Good Environmental Status (GES) needs monitoring in a most time- and cost-effective way. For the GES descriptors 6 and 7, on seafloor integrity and hydrographic conditions, respectively, new integrative indicators (i.e.

The Joint Programming Initiative Healthy and Productive Seas and Oceans (JPI Oceans) is a coordinating and integrating platform for marine and maritime research and innovation, open to all EU Member States and Associated Countries.