A significant goal of the Action Plan relates to EU countries working together to tackle these issues, and the document is intended as an “invitation to the private sector, researchers, regional and national public bodies and other actors to start designing projects that respond to the priorities”. This includes sharing knowledge between research institutions and encouraging greater networking and co-operative research activities.
A further priority relates to improving the aquaculture industry in Europe by means of research, while supporting research to develop a European Atlantic ocean observing and predictive capability; to create a sustainable European marine biotechnology industry and to accelerate the deployment of offshore renewable energy is also mentioned.
The Action Plan’s priorities will be reflected in future EU research funding in this area, and the document states: