Frontiers of Europe, Frontiers of Knowledge, The Outermost Regions in the Ocean Pact & Eye: A Policy Brief by the REMORA consortium
Authors/Creators
- 1. Ruizia
- 2. Université de La Réunion
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3.
DTU Aqua, National Institute of Aquatic Resources, Technical University of Denmark
- 4. Euromarine, European marine research network
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5.
University of Azores, Institute of Marine Sciences
Other (9):
Project manager (2):
-
1.
Agencia Regional para o Desenvolvimento da Investigacao Tecnologia e Inovacao
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2.
Oceanic Observatory of Madeira
- 3. ERINN
-
4.
DTU Aqua, National Institute of Aquatic Resources, Technical University of Denmark
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5.
University of Azores, Institute of Marine Sciences
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6.
Atlantic International Research Centre
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7.
Governo dos Açores
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8.
European Multidisciplinary Seafloor and water column Observatory
- 9. CITEB
Description
Supported by Horizon Europe, REMORA[1] aims to position the Azores, La Réunion and Madeira as central regions in the European Research Area and ocean science. Bringing together three Outermost Region-based centres — OKEANOS, the Institute of Marine Sciences of the University of the Azores; CITEB, the Technical Centre for the Blue Economy of La Réunion; and OOM, the Oceanic Observatory of Madeira — REMORA is laying the foundations for Europe’s first Atlantic–Indian Ocean marine research alliance. Together, these institutions provide the unique habitats, data, expertise and testing environments that the European Union and research institutions in continental Europe need to advance global ocean science and sustainability.
REMORA pursues this ambition not for the benefit of our regions alone, but because the underrepresentation of the Atlantic and Indian Ocean Outermost Regions is a loss for the EU as a whole. It limits Europe's contribution to global ocean circulation research, biodiversity conservation, climate resilience and marine automation, precisely when the Ocean Pact, the OceanEye and the Ocean and Water R&I strategy call on Europe to lead in these fields. The development of the Ocean Act through the end of 2026, alongside the implementation of the Ocean Pact and OceanEye, opens a historic window to give the Outermost Regions the place they deserve in European Ocean Research Area.
This policy brief, prepared by the REMORA consortium for the European institutions, highlights the strategic value of the Atlantic and Indian Ocean Outermost Regions, identifies the barriers to their participation, and proposes measures to strengthen their contribution to EU ambitions. It calls for the systematic integration of the Outermost Regions into the Ocean Pact, OceanEye and the forthcoming Ocean Act by recognising them as strategic partners in European ocean research, investing in their research infrastructures and talent, and promoting greater inclusiveness in research and governance. The examples given throughout are drawn from REMORA’s three partner regions (the Azores, Madeira and La Réunion) and from the assets documented in our Portfolio of R&I assets and Joint Internationalisation Strategy. They illustrate, without exhausting, the contribution of all nine Outermost Regions, to which our recommendations equally apply.
[1]REMORA is a “pathway to synergies” project which transforms these three key regional research institutions into Horizon Europe champions. Through the collaboration with DTU Aqua – the Marine Institute of Denmark Technical University –, ERINN – a Marine Impact and Innovation SME, and the support of ARDITI – the Regional Agency for the Development of Research, Technology and Innovation of Madeira -, and RUIZIA – a research SME from La Réunion specialising in peripheral R&I systems, REMORA enhances the three centres’ competitiveness, strategic positioning and connections with the major EU champions and networks that dominate the EU science landscape. The consortium also includes two associated partners: the Regional Directorate for the Sea of Madeira and AIR Centre (Atlantic International Research Centre) in the Azores.