OceanEye – European ocean observation initiative

At the European Ocean Days 2026 in Brussels in early March, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the implementation of a European ocean monitoring initiative called OceanEye. It is intended to lay the groundwork for a smarter and more efficient observation system. The President called for the formation of an international alliance to strengthen and expand ocean monitoring to support OceanEye. The Union, as announced, will provide the alliance with 50 million euros from the Horizon Europe program between 2026 and 2027.

What is OceanEye?

The European Ocean Observation Initiative was first announced by President von der Leyen and Fisheries and Oceans Commissioner Costas Kadis at the 2025 United Nations Ocean Conference.

OceanEye, based on the European Digital Ocean Twin (EDITO) and marine Copernicus programs, aims to lay the foundation for an independent and state-of-the-art European ocean observation infrastructure to support international efforts to gain knowledge about and protect the oceans.

OceanEye will support EU technology and innovation and provide the Union with a leading position in international efforts to create a sustainable global ocean observing system. The initiative is an essential component of the European Pact for the All Oceans and will also include educational, cultural and outreach dimensions to bring water conservation closer to citizens.

Knowing the ocean is crucial for weather monitoring, climate change forecasting, and our economy.

Today, the @EU_Commission announced OceanEye, the ocean observation initiative that will be our key to unlocking the power of ocean knowledge.https://t.co/fVuW5qqLvI#EUOceanPact pic.twitter.com/kXbxeQGPVS

– EU Maritime & Fish (@EU_MARE) March 2, 2026

The importance of ocean observation

Observing the oceans and using the lessons learned from them are fundamental to the functioning of our planet, climate regulation and the survival of humanity. In particular, they allow us to:

• Collect the data necessary to understand the state of marine ecosystems;
• Anticipate and mitigate the effects of climate change;
• Increase the competitiveness of offshore economic activity;
• Support maritime security.

Through constant monitoring, the international community can make better decisions about protecting these areas, as highlighted by initiatives such as the UN Ocean Treaty.

International alliance

The international alliance announced by the European Commission President will unite EU member states and international partners through a commitment to secure funding and create a framework for coordinated action and cooperation to strengthen and expand ocean monitoring and observation. It will also provide secure access to open and free ocean data for both the EU and international partners. It will also support the capacity of the Global Ocean Observing System in cooperation with UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission.

When will the EC officially adopt OceanEye?

According to plans, the European Commission will adopt OceanEye at the end of 2026 to take into account feedback received in response to the call for comments on the EU Ocean Observing Initiative. A donor meeting will be held in September to collect contributions to the International Alliance. The Commission has set a goal of establishing a fully operational European Ocean Observing System by 2030.

Global Ocean Observing System

The Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS), coordinated by IOC-UNESCO, is an international network that monitors the state of the oceans in real time. It uses satellites, buoys (including the Argo system) and ships to study warming and_CO2 absorption. Its goal is to provide precise information on the state of the seas and oceans, essential for weather forecasting, climate change and resource management. The system was established in 1991 and is the foundation of modern operational oceanography, combining the efforts of scientists and government agencies from more than 100 countries.

Poland actively participates in the Global Ocean Observing System through the involvement of scientific institutes (e.g., the Institute of Oceanology of the Polish Academy of Sciences) and membership in the Euro-Argo ERIC consortium, providing temperature and salinity data from marine probes.

Blue economy

The blue economy (maritime economic activity) is crucial for the EU with 70,000 km of coastline and 40 percent of Europeans living in coastal communities and islands. Ocean-related sectors and the blue economy provide 5 million jobs in the EU, €250 billion in gross value added, and contribute to Europe’s competitiveness, maritime and food security, energy independence, and climate change adaptation and mitigation.

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