New European developments for Operational Oceanography

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the new European developments for operational oceanography. A number of preoperational or operational current-prediction systems have been implemented in Europe, one of them being the MERCATOR project. Their goal is to progressively develop an operational capacity to analyze and predict the global ocean currents. This is achieved by contributing to the development of an ocean and climate prediction system through assimilation of near-real time satellite and in situ data into an ocean model. It is discussed that Europe should build a global component of global ocean observing system (GOOS), which is the main goal of Marine Environment and Security for the European Area- Integrated Project. Global monitoring for environment and security is an opportunity to implement this European operational system for the Ocean, by relying on existing experience. The actual organization still needs detailed definitions concerning European centre for ocean monitoring and forecasting, national centers and out centers and an organizational model must be put together.