The European Seafloor Observatory Network Implementation Model: Towards a model for European Observatory Implementation

Abstract

ESONIM seeks to facilitate the establishment of a European Seafloor Observatory Network (ESONET) by providing EU Member State Governments with the technical, legal and financial models and arguments to establish one or more pilot cabled seafloor observatories. The scientific case for establishing seafloor observatories in European waters has been made by the ESONET project. Therefore, ESONIM focuses on detailing the technical specification of a model observatory (the proposed CeltNet site west of Ireland), the financial model required to fund the initial capital purchase of the observatory elements and the ongoing operating expenditure on a year to year basis and legal implications and obligations associated with developing a seafloor observatory. ESONIM has developed a financial model of capital and current expenditure and revenue for an observatory so that different funding scenarios can be considered (e.g. full state funding, partial state funding with industry or EU project support). This model is presented as a software-based tool to examine different funding scenarios for ocean observatories. The outputs of ESONIM will feed into the recently funded ESONET Network of Excellence Implementation work package. It is anticipated that ESONIM will provide a comprehensive guide on how to implement observatories in European waters and further afield.