AIR Centre and +ATLANTIC showcase ocean data innovation

As climate change accelerates and ocean health declines, Earth observation data is playing an increasingly vital role in helping scientists, innovators, and citizens take action. The Copernicus Marine Service, implemented by Mercator Ocean International and funded by the European Commission, provides free, state-of-the-art oceanographic data and forecasts supporting a broad range of marine activities—from policy and conservation to energy and industry. To highlight the real-world value of this data, +ATLANTIC and the AIR Centre have collaborated with the Copernicus Marine Service to feature two standout use cases - BlueDOT and OASIS - that demonstrate how different users are tackling key environmental and societal challenges. Mediterranean marine heatwaves are becoming more frequent and intense, with 2023 surface temperatures surpassing historical records. While satellite and in situ systems like ARGO offer crucial insights, they often miss subsurface anomalies close to shore where citizen science becomes a game changer. Led by the University of Bremen, BlueDOT is a global initiative that empowers recreational and professional divers to become citizen scientists by transforming their dive computers into data-collecting tools. Standardized calibration and collaboration with long-term monitoring stations ensure data quality. Divers provide valuable temperature readings from the upper 40 metres of the ocean - an under-observed but ecologically vital layer. BlueDOT's open-access database complements existing systems and enhances understanding of coastal variability and marine heatwave impacts. Copernicus Marine products are used to cross-validate diver data, provide regional context, and support quality control. The initiative empowers citizens to contribute to science and ocean literacy while filling a critical gap in high-resolution coastal temperature data. This enhanced monitoring capability supports better management and understanding of ocean warming impacts. The transition to clean energy demands ambitious targets and effective planning tools. Developed by WavEC Offshore Renewables in Portugal, OASIS is a decision support tool based on geographical information systems that identifies optimal sites for offshore energy projects, from wind to wave and floating solar. OASIS features a cost-based suitability index that integrates environmental conditions, resource potential, and operational constraints into a unified framework. Using high-resolution Copernicus Marine data—including wave reanalysis, ocean physics, and wind datasets - OASIS evaluates site-specific factors such as seabed type, energy potential, and maintenance costs to guide smart deployment. The tool integrates Maritime Spatial Plan data, ensuring compatibility with existing maritime uses and biodiversity zones. Initially focused on wind and wave energy, OASIS is expanding to support other sectors, including aquaculture and undersea cable routing. OASIS enables transparent, data-driven site selection for offshore renewables while reducing uncertainties and project development costs. It supports multi-sector spatial planning and marine governance, remaining adaptable for broader marine applications. Through its collaboration with Copernicus Marine, +ATLANTIC and the AIR Centre have brought these use cases to the forefront. By engaging with users and addressing their requirements, they ensure that advanced Earth observation services remain anchored in real-world needs, from divers monitoring climate change beneath the waves to engineers designing tomorrow's energy systems. Both BlueDOT and OASIS exemplify how Copernicus Marine data can drive innovation, connect science with society, and promote more resilient and sustainable interactions with our ocean. Learn more about BlueDOT and OASIS through this video: