• Companies, consultancies, agencies, and research institutions are committed to the compliance of international recommendations and conventions, together with European Directives and regulations. Pollution and climate change effects are a matter of increasing concern for governments, scientists and society.
  • Graduates with a balanced background between blue growth and green innovation are required. The growth of a number of marine industries over recent decades, such as offshore renewables and aquaculture, points to greater levels of exploitation and hence demand for trained staff who understand the marine environment. The Ocean Economy in 2030, (OECD, 2016) states that growth prospects for the ocean economy will be successful only if ocean health is duly preserved.
  • Companies, consultancies, agencies, and research institutions require high quality graduates, who can make a difference in the management of the marine environment and understand global assessment tools and integrated approaches regarding ocean-human health. The One Health concept approach benefits both the marine life and the human health by keeping the entire environment healthy; and decision-making tools and frameworks for conserving the human-ocean ecosystem health are being developed.
  • Overall, there is a need for marine scientists prepared to respond to the societal needs identified as pivotal challenges of the UN DOSSD 2021-2030:
    • A clean ocean where sources of pollution are identified and removed
    • A healthy and resilient ocean where marine ecosystems are mapped and protected
    • A predictable ocean where society has the capacity to understand current/future ocean conditions
    • A safe ocean where people are protected from ocean hazards
    • A sustainably harvested ocean ensuring the provision of food supply
    • A transparent ocean with open access to data, information and technologies.