GRAND Project Presentation

The “GOOS Regional Alliances Network Development” (GRAND) is an action in support of international cooperation for research on global change and ecosystems funded by the European Commission 6th Framework Programme. GRAND is extending to the global scene the activity of the EC funded network MAMA – Mediterranean network to Assess and upgrade the Monitoring and forecasting Activity in the basin. The main aim of GRAND is to support the GOOS Regional Alliances (GRAs) to optimise the performance of coastal operational oceanography using the global products of GOOS.

Large-scale operational ocean monitoring and forecasting networks, defined in the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS), are needed to implement global conventions and agreements signed by the EU and its member states, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, Convention on Biodiversity, Framework Convention on Climate Change, Programme of Action for Sustainable Development.

The GRAs co-ordinate the efforts of states around the world to implement GOOS. They have different capacities, resources and level of activity, but all seek to establish a global sustained system of observations to predict the state of the marine environment, to help states fulfil their duties in international agreements and to gain benefits for a variety of end-users and for public good.

GRAND brings together the GRAs and is promoted by the IOC, (Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission) and the I-GOOS (Intergovernmental Committee for GOOS). The partnership of GRAND covers all the planet’s oceans to provide an opportunity, supported by Europe, for a harmonious development of the diverse regional systems within GOOS, while advancing the European contribution to the global system.

Map of Existing GOOS Regional Alliances

GRAND will facilitate the dissemination of best practice in operational oceanography, technology transfer, development of international co-operation, application of results of EU projects to the broader international community active in the GRAs. This will help to strengthen the role of the EU on the international stage while contributing to the integration and strengthening of the European Research Area.