The All-Atlantic Ocean Research Alliance Forum held a Scientific Event in Brasilia (Brazil) from May 21 to June 2, 2022. The Marine Biodiversity Observation Network (MBON) partnered with the Ocean Best Practices System (OBPS), the Ocean Biodiversity Information System (OBIS), and the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS) of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) to hold a virtual side event to advance the co-design of solutions that require biology and ecosystem observations integrated with traditional ocean observing.
Emerging technologies now make it possible to incorporate biology and ecosystem Essential Ocean Variables (EOV) observations as well as Biodiversity Essential Variables (EBV) into surveys and monitoring programs at local and regional scales. Best practices allow for this information to be interoperable, scalable, usable, and implementable by local groups and nations, and across ocean basins.
During this side event, experts and stakeholders reviewed co-design strategies conducted under the MBON and the Marine Life 2030 Programme endorsed by the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. The strategy is based on three pillars of action: Learning Together, Observing Life, and Building Solutions.
Participants developed the following statement as an outcome of the side event.
The outcomes of the Scientific Event were highlighted at the Ministerial Event that took place July 13–14, 2022, in Washington, D.C. (USA). MBON and Marine Life 2030 join the conversations on advancing a new future for an All-Atlantic Alliance, joining together the marine research community with policy to discuss solutions for a sustainable ocean. This event featured the signing of the All-Atlantic Ocean Research and Innovation Alliance Declaration, with seven partner countries (the European Union, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Cabo Verde, Morocco, South Africa, and the United States).
Isabel Sousa Pinto, MBON co-chair, and José Moutinho, MBON member, with Dr. Cisco Werner, Acting Assistant Administrator for Oceanic and Atmospheric Research at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
