Tomorrow, the 
European Marine Board will host a meeting with Karmenu Vella, EU Commissioner for the Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries. In preparation for the meeting, the CEOs of EMB member institutes are gathered at the EMB offices in Ostend today, to discuss ocean research challenges, with a specific focus on the perspectives of the marine research community on advancing ocean observation and seabed mapping to support Blue Growth, Europe’s long term strategy to support sustainable growth in the marine and maritime sectors. The EU Blue Growth Strategy will only be sustainable if we understand, manage and minimise the impacts of commercial activities on the health and productivity of Europe’s seas. To achieve this, coordinated ocean observation and seabed mapping is considered crucial. EMB member institutes will present their views to the Commissioner during his visit tomorrow. The meeting agenda is available on the European Commission’s Maritime Forum website.