PML aligned for supporting delivery of UK Marine Science
Tuesday 2nd February
PML welcomes the publication this week of the UK Marine Science
Strategy which will set out a framework for shaping, supporting,
co-ordinating and enabling the delivery of world class marine
science for the UK. The Ministerial Marine Science Groups strategy
is a direct result of the House of Commons Select Committee report
Investigating the Oceans which came from their enquiry into 'marine
science in the polar and non-polar oceans'; the Committee held a
launch event in April 2007 at the National Marine Aquarium in
Plymouth following visits to PML and its Plymouth partners. It was
not only the first time that a Science and Technology Committee
launch has been held outside London, but also the first inquiry
into Marine Science for 20 years, reflecting the growing importance
of marine science and technology for underpinning the sustainable
management of our ocean resources, as well as climate research for
the 21st Century.
In an associated announcement by NERC today, PML recognizes and
broadly welcomes the rationale for plans to merge the National
Oceanography Centre at Southampton with the Liverpool based NERC
Proudman Oceanographic Laboratory, in order to co-ordinate better
‘national capability’ in support of the delivery of NERC-funded
marine science. Both organizations have central roles in national
capability through the British Oceanographic Data Centre in
Liverpool and the research ships at Southampton. Under the NERC
model, PML will continue to play a leading role in delivering its
national capabilities in long-term observations and associated
technical and modelling strategies, especially in UK and
continental shelf seas.
PML is also implementing its strategy for the next 5 years which
builds on considerable success in engaging with an increasing
breadth of stakeholders concerned with understanding shallow sea
ecosystems, their health, and response to climate change and ocean
acidification. PML is also concerned with the transfer of knowledge
for sustaining and increasing ecosystem benefits, informing policy
and creating wider business and commercial outputs. 2009 has been a
record year for new research projects won by the Laboratory and our
scientists are excited at continuing to meet the many challenges
being posed for marine science and technology, including a range of
innovative mutli-national projects within the European Framework
programmes. We also look forward to contributing to the
implementation of the UK Marine Science Strategy and fulfilling its
vision for a better future.