The Joint Programming Initiative Healthy and Productive Seas and Oceans (JPI Oceans) is a coordinating platform, established in 2011, open to all EU Member States and Associated Countries. It covers all European sea basins with 21 participating countries and provides a long-term integrated approach to marine and maritime research and technology development in Europe. Portugal is a member country through Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia.

JPI Oceans identified as strategic priorities the following 10 broad cross thematic areas which lie at the intersections of the marine environment, climate change and marine and human activities:

• Exploring Deep Sea Resources
• Technology and Sensor Developments
• Science Support to Coastal and Maritime Planning and Management
• Linking Oceans, Human Health and Wellbeing
• Interdisciplinary Research for Good Environmental Status
• Observing, Modelling and Predicting Oceans State and Processes
• Climate Change Impact on Physical and Biological Ocean Processes
• Effects of Ocean Acidification on Marine Ecosystems
• Food Security and Safety Driving Innovation in a Changing World
• Use of Marine Biological Resources through Development and Application of Biotechnology

Specific actions in the cross-cutting fields of research infrastructures, science-policy interactions, and human capacity building are also identified as being necessary to address the overall vision.

In October, 26 the JPI Oceans will have its second Conference taking place in Lisbon, at Pavilhão do Conhecimento. It will provide an opportunity to acknowledge the first results of the actions and projects initiated under the framework of JPI Oceans, allowing as well stakeholders from research and industry to network and discuss with policy makers from across Europe. 

The programme of the conference can be consulted here.

JPI Oceans opens the exhibition space at the conference for other initiatives to present results relevant to its activities at the poster session. The deadline for the call for poster session is the 10 of September and submissions are invited of organizations or networks where at least two or more European countries are involved. The proposals should be relevant to the 10 strategic areas or crosscutting issues.