iMagine provides a portfolio of free at the point of use image datasets, high-performance image analysis tools empowered with Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Best Practice documents for scientific image analysis. These services and materials enable better and more efficient processing and analysis of imaging data in marine and freshwater research, accelerating our scientific insights about processes and measures relevant for healthy oceans, seas, coastal and inland waters. By building on the computing platform of the European Open Science Cloud (EOSC) the project delivers a generic framework for AI model development, training, and deployment, which can be adopted by researchers for refining their AI-based applications for water pollution mitigation, biodiversity and ecosystem studies, climate change analysis and beach monitoring, but also for developing and optimising other AI-based applications in this field. The iMagine compute layer consists of providers from the pan-European EGI federation infrastructure, collectively offering over 132,000 GPU-hours, 6,000,000 CPU-hours and 1500 TB-month for image hosting and processing. The iMagine AI framework offers neural networks, parallel post-processing of very large data, and analysis of massive online data streams in distributed environments. 13 RIs will share over 9 million images and 8 AI-powered applications through the framework. Having representatives so many RIs and IT experts, developing a portfolio of eye-catching image processing services together will also give rise to Best Practices. The synergies between aquatic use cases will lead to common solutions in data management, quality control, performance, integration, provenance, and FAIRness, contributing to harmonisation across RIs and providing input for the iMagine Best Practice guidelines. The project results will be integrated into and will bring important contributions from RIs and e-infrastructures to EOSC and AI4EU.

The main ambition of FOCCUS is to improve and advance the coastal dimension of the Copernicus Marine Environment Monitoring Service (CMEMS) by enhancing existing capability, developing innovative coastal products. Designing and demonstrating the integration of Copernicus and Member State coastal services will allow a seamless and fit-for-use monitoring and forecasting of the ocean from global to regional and coastal scales. Co-production of coastal services will reinforce the quality, efficiency and exploitation of Copernicus research and specific applications will demonstrate FOCCUS’s progress beyond the state of the art for challenges such as the protection of the coastal zone, the development of a sustainable blue economy, and the building of coastal zone resilience to climate change, anthropogenic pressures and natural hazards. At the heart of the proposed methodology is the use of new space (such as Sentinels) and in-situ coastal observations, innovations in data fusion, data processing and visualisation together with seamless numerical coastal prediction (including interfaces for downscaling from CMEMS) from the regional to the near-shore, also connecting to the estuarine scale. Novel approaches will be used to ensure CMEMS evolves at the forefront of modern research and technology, in-line with the innovation and digitalisation required for the European digital ocean and water knowledge system. FOCCUS will ensure credible pathways for effective uptake and exploitation of key outcomes and research results by the CMEMS and the wider user community, thereby fostering the acceptance and efficient application of novel information products by society. This will include demonstrations of the technical readiness of the proposed evolutions and active dialogue with European and international initiatives to ensure the global community is aware of FOCCUS, and that results contribute to wider efforts.

DOORS will bring the four pillars of the SRIA into reality, turning the challenges into opportunities for a highly valued Black Sea. It will harmonise research and provide the infrastructure to better understand the Black Sea, particular ecosystem characteristics, develop the framework to support Blue Growth and early development of start-ups, and provide evidence to inform policy and behavioural change. To reach its ambitious objectives, the project team will work closely with stakeholders from the start to develop an open research system and establish a framework to support continuous stakeholder dialogue. DOORS will implement three Work Programmes: a System of Systems to harmonise approaches and provide an accessible data repository, a Blue Growth Accelerator to support enterprise, and Knowledge Transfer and Training to share best practice and build capacity. These will: • Engage stakeholders through communication, dissemination and training activities to raise awareness, build capacity and foster a stronger Black Sea identity • Harmonise data collation, analysis and access to optimise data use in decision and policy making • Strengthen the Black Sea scientific network through new collaborations, and bridge the gap between science and policy • Provide a range of products to support Black Sea innovation and enterprise DOORS will have long-lasting impact by giving stakeholders in the region the skillsets and understanding to: • Implement key policies and legislation • Improve environmental quality and reduce pollution risk • Design measures to mitigate pollution and remediate historically contaminated areas • Become resilient communities • Realise and sustainably develop potential economic growth for future well-being • Build capacity in existing industries, develop new start-ups and become actively involved in delivering Blue Growth • Create ocean informed citizens to better understand Black Sea’s potential

Exerted pressures on the ocean and more particularly on the coastal and shelf seas increasingly disturb increasingly disturb coastal regions and ecosystems, and will strongly impact our future. To improve the understanding of underlying processes, the series of EU-funded JERICO (Joint European Research Infrastructure of Coastal Observatories) projects have consisted, since 2007, in continuously improving observations in European coastal marine areas where most of the world population lives, with the objective to build a pan-European Research Infrastructure (RI) providing high-quality marine data, expertise, services, facilities and observation systems. The data produced in this long-term framework are multidisciplinary, standardized, quality-controlled, sustained, interoperable, and free for access and use. However, to better serve the scientific community and address societal and policy needs, JERICO has to progress towards a structured operational European RI supported by the EU Member States (and associate

EurofleetsPlus will facilitate open access to an integrated and advanced research vessel fleet, designed to meet the evolving and challenging needs of the user community. European and international researchers from academia and industry will be able to apply for several access programmes, through a single-entry system. EurofleetsPlus will prioritise support for research on sustainable, clean and healthy oceans, linking with existing ocean observation infrastructures, and support innovation through working closely with industry. The project will enable access to a unique fleet of 27 state-of-the-art research vessels from European and international partners. Through competitive Calls, researchers will be able to access the entire North Atlantic, Mediterranean, Black Sea, North Sea, Baltic Sea, Pacific Southern Ocean and Ross Sea. In addition to ship time, researchers will also have access to new Autonomous Underwater Vehicles and Remotely Operated Vehicles. A unique portable telepresence system will enable remote access by researchers and diverse end users including the public; a first for Europe. In addition to comprehensive transnational activities, the project will undertake joint research activities to meet the evolving challenges of marine research, in particular, deep ocean research and exploration, data management, and virtual access. Multiple networking activities will ensure robust Call processes; wide stakeholder engagement; development of a strategic roadmap and long-term sustainability plan; diverse training and education activities; management of innovation; and widespread dissemination and communication. EurofleetsPlus will facilitate access to unique marine infrastructure, enabling excellent research, increasing ocean literacy, and providing a clear road map for the continued integration and advancement of the European research fleet.