The EurOCEAN 2010 Conference (Ostend, 12-13 October 2010) will provide a unique forum for the European marine science community to consider, discuss and respond to new policy developments and achievements since the last EurOCEAN conference (2007, Aberdeen), and to highlight new challenges and opportunities for marine research in the next decade. The EurOCEAN 2010 Conference and Ostend Declaration (October 2010) will come at a crucial time for the European marine science community to influence how marine science is supported in Europe in the coming decade. It will provide a timely opportunity to reinforce the importance of marine science in effective maritime policy making and the key role it will play in the path towards economic growth and recovery in Europe.

EurOCEAN 2010 Conference is a Belgian EU Presidency event, organised in close collaboration with the European Commission and the Marine Board-ESF.

Most of the information is on the EurOCEAN 2010 website: www.eurocean2010.eu

To participate you have to register at www.eurocean2010.eu/registration/

A press release and the draft Ostend Declaration can be found online (see also attached):

The EurOCEAN 2010 Ostend Declaration will be a key deliverable of the EurOCEAN 2010 Conference. The Ostend Declaration is intended to highlight the importance of marine and maritime science and technology for our economies and societies and to identify the high level governance structures, support mechanisms and research infrastructures necessary to ensure that critical research challenges in the next decade are properly addressed at national and European level. In consultation with key European marine and maritime science stakeholder organisations and Networks, a drafting group chaired by Dr Kostas Nittis (Research Director of the Hellenic Centre for Marine Research in Athens) has prepared a draft Ostend Declaration which will be open for consultation until 4th October 2010. The Declaration aims to raise the profile of European marine science and technology and needs your support.

The draft Ostend Declaration will be presented and discussed for approval at the EurOCEAN 2010 Conference on 12-13 October 2010.

Stakeholders can express their support and comment at http://www.eurocean2010.eu/declaration