Periodic Activity Report/3rd Period - Ifremer

ESONET Contract no.036851/Periodic Activity Report/3 rd Period
PUBLISHABLE EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Network of Excellence ESONET will enter its final year.
During the first year, the main ESONET working groups were formed and the objectives of
the various themes identified. Embryos of regional groups were also put in place, more or
less active depending on the nodes while the main partners successfully put the project
preparatory phase of large European research infrastructure EMSO-PP in place.
Activities during the second year relied on that organization. The main objectives of this
period were focused on:
- Increasing the level of integration in the regional nodes, encouraging the participation
of partners associated with the nodes in ESONET, for example by encouraging the
submission of proposals for the 2nd call for demonstration missions.
- Encouraging the integration between the ESONET nodes, for example by preparing a
more formal call for the exchange of personnel. WP officials also made efforts to
increase participation in activities of their WP.
- Stabilizing groups formed, by starting the preparation of a permanent structure (VISO)
- Developing a long-term strategy for implementing the proposed recommendations.
- Selection of 6 demonstration missions established on 7 nodes and covering the main
themes of seafloor observatories: LIDO addresses the monitoring of marine mammal
acoustics and geophysics, DM MARMARA addresses the earthquake risk in a
sensitive region, LOOME is interested in the functioning of a mud volcano with both
geophysical and biological aspects, MoMAR addresses the functioning of a deep
hydrothermal vent using a multidisciplinary approach, MODOO addresses long-term
biochemical functions at the Porcupine (PAP) site in the North Atlantic, while AOEM
will monitor physically and biochemically Fram Strait.
- ESONET activities have been amplified during the third period compared to those of
the previous year.
- The six demonstration missions involve an important activity for the partners
involved. The types of activities vary depending on the phases of operations.
Major achievements during the third year:
WP1: Networking
The second "All regions workshop" was held in Paris from 4th to 6th October 2009. It
brought together over 100 participants in the presence of representatives of major projects
on international marine observatories Neptune Canada, Mars (USA), DONET (Japan)
OOI (USA). It helped to take stock of progress recorded on the sometimes spectacular
development of the different ESONET-EMSO nodes. During this meeting, the
composition of the various regional implementation groups has been identified, including
representatives of national funding agencies. ESONET will thus continue node by node
the implementation of various observatories planned in EMSO
This third year has helped to expand personnel exchanges between member institutions.
These exchanges are either devoted to technology or to exploiting the results of
demonstration missions.
The VISO meeting held in Tromsoë on 11th and 12th June 2009 helped launch the
foundation for organizing scientific community activities perpetuating ESONET using
and making live EMSO observatories. This organization will interact with industry and
maintain relations between the European scientific community and the international
community
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