programma SciNMeet

Programme: The Science We Need for the Mediterranean Sea We Want

Acronym: SciNMeet

Duration: 01/10/2021 – 30/09/2030

Summary:

The Science We Need for the Mediterranean Sea We Want (SciNMeet) Programme aims to be the Mediterranean region contribution to the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. The Programme is designed on the basis the outcomes of the 2020 Regional consultations of the Preparatory Phase of the Ocean Decade and builds on relevant initiatives active in the region.

The SciNMeet Programme will address major Mediterranean challenges and gaps in scientific knowledge and will trigger a science driven transformative change for the Mediterranean region by strengthening the science base related to the effect on marine ecosystems (thus goods and services) of the various stressors affecting the Mediterranean Sea, i.e. climate change, marine pollution from air/land/sea-based sources and overexploitation of marine resources, as well as of the extreme events threatening people and the environment, such as storms and tsunamis, to envision a sustainable safe and depolluted Mediterranean Sea “Climatic system” (the Mediterranean Sea we want). Increasing education, awareness and international collaboration, by mobilizing the scientific community, policy-makers, private sector and society at large, the Programme will address the Ocean Decade’s seven outcomes and contribute to the implementation of the Agenda 2030.

The objectives include:

1 Enhancing cooperation opportunities towards optimal partnerships by elaborating a shared regional strategic roadmap for the Mediterranean Decade and beyond.

2 Promoting the co-design and co-production of solutions to the problems caused by climate change, pollution and marine hazard faced by the basin.

3 Keeping the marine space under permanent review and ensuring reliable data on the state of marine environment and the use of the sea

4 Providing an integrated, long-term, in situ and satellite observations systems, modelling reanalysis and predictions

5 Promoting regional and national initiative(s) to fill the gap of sustained in situ observations of Essential Ocean Variables (EOVs)

6 Fostering the generation of dedicated research and innovation also to contribute to marine pollution/hazards (including harmful algal blooms) alert and management and to improve preparedness to emergencies, supporting plans for prevention, adaptation and mitigation to pollution, extreme events (such as tsunamis, or storm surges) and climate change in the Region thus reducing the coastal risks, safeguarding population and activities at Sea.

7 Facilitating access to data and equipment, know-how transfer, and unlocking potentials for blue capacity-development including the promotion of equal opportunities.

8 Increasing Mediterranean society’s awareness and knowledge about the crucial importance of a healthy Mediterranean Sea by enhancing regional capacity building and Ocean Literacy

9 Narrowing the gaps between the North and South Mediterranean shores reinforcing partnerships and transboundary cooperation and contributing to reduce inequalities

Contact person: segreteria.coi@cnr.it

Organizations promoting the SciNMeet Programme:

• Italian Oceanographic Commission (COI)
• United Nations Environment Programme/Mediterranean Action Plan (UNEP/MAP)
• BlueMed Initiative, Co-Chair, European Commission DG R&I
• Ocean Literacy Activities of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO
• European Global Ocean Observing System (EuroGOOS)
• Mediterranean Operational Network for the Global Ocean Observing System (MONGOOS)
• European Space Agency (ESA)
• European Marine Science Educators Association (EMSEA)
• National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries (NIOF)
• nstitut National de Recherche Halieutique (INRH)
• Mediterranean Information Office for Environment, Culture and Sustainable Development (MIO- ECSDE)
• OceanDecadeHeritageNetwork(ODNH)
• Israel Oceanographic & Limnological Research – IOC Focal Point
• Marine Biology Station Piran(NIB), Slovenian National Committee of the IOC
• General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) of FAO
• European Commission Joint Research Centre (JRC)
• Intergovernmental Coordination Group for the Tsunami Early Warning and Mitigation System in the North-eastern Atlantic, the Mediterranean and connected seas (ICG/NEAMWTS)
• Comité Português para a Comissão Oceanográfica Intergovernamental (COI/UNESCO)
• Instituto Español de Oceanografía, Spanish IOC focal point