The European Union (EU) has been at the forefront of funding numerous projects aimed at revolutionising the exploration of our oceans. These projects, involving multiple stakeholders, renowned research institutions, and cutting-edge technologies, are paving the way for a more in-depth understanding of our marine ecosystems, the sustainable usage of ocean resources, and the mitigation of environmental threats. This article delves into some of these EU-funded projects, their objectives, achievements, and the role they play in the future of ocean exploration.

The Ocean Exploration Landscape: An Overview

The ocean, with its vast expanse and mysterious depths, has always posed a complex challenge to human exploration. Traditionally, the exploration and understanding of our oceans have been restricted due to several factors including extreme depths, pressure variations, limited visibility, and dangerous marine life. However, the advent of advanced technologies such as underwater robotics and digital twins, coupled with substantial funding from entities like the EU, has significantly transformed the ocean exploration landscape.

The Role of EU in Ocean Exploration

The EU, recognising the importance of oceans in maintaining global ecological balance and their potential for economic growth, has been instrumental in funding a range of projects aimed at exploring and understanding our oceans. These projects are primarily focussed on areas such as marine biology, geology, environmental monitoring, resource extraction, and oceanography. The funding from the EU has been crucial in driving innovation, enabling scientific research, and fostering collaborations between various stakeholders in the field of ocean exploration.

Notable EU-funded Projects in Ocean Exploration

Below, we delve into some of the EU-funded projects that are revolutionising the field of ocean exploration.

1. Iliad Project: Digital Twins of the Ocean

| The Iliad project |, backed by the EU, aims at establishing interoperable, data-intensive, and cost-effective Digital Twins of the Ocean. In essence, these digital twins are virtual representations of the sea that integrate earth observing, modelling and digital infrastructures to provide predictions of future oceanic developments. The project leverages advanced computing infrastructures including cloud computing, Big Data, Internet of Things, and social networking to address various Earth data challenges.

Key Objectives and Achievements:

• The Iliad project has developed technologies that use acoustic waves to enable long-distance underwater communication, which can aid in better data collection and analysis.
• The project has established a marketplace for Geosciences related applications and services, providing an efficient way for scientists to discover relevant applications and services.
• The project is also running various pilots in key areas such as wind energy, renewable energy from the ocean, fisheries & aquaculture, marine traffic & harbour safety, pollution, and biodiversity assessments & monitoring.

2. MAMBA Project: Harnessing Marine Microbes for Biotechnology

| MAMBA | , an EU-funded research project, is focused on exploiting the potential of marine microbes for various biotechnological applications. The project leverages the techniques of metagenomics, which involves the study of genetic material from environmental samples, bypassing the need for the isolation and laboratory cultivation of individual species.

Key Objectives and Achievements:

• The project has resulted in the identification of over 1600 enzymes exhibiting desired enzymatic activity.
• MAMBA has also contributed to the development of "biocatalysts" applicable in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, food production, bio-energy production, and the production of valuable fine chemicals.