European Commission: adoption of “Ocean Eye” initiative to expand the EU's role in ocean observation

The initiative “Ocean Eye”, which aims to expand the EU's role in ocean observation, is adopted by the European Commission on 03/06/2026. It was launched by Commission's president Ursula von der Leyen during the opening ceremony of the European Ocean days in February 2026, and first announced during the 2025 UNOC meeting, in Nice, France.

The aim is to "position the EU as the world's leading provider of ocean intelligence by contributing to 35% of the global ocean observing system by 2035 and securing 35% of the market for ocean observation technologies".

Commission specifies that four pillars will guide the EU's approach—at EU level and globally :
• Better governance for a more unified European approach ;
• Global leadership through an international alliance and partnerships ;
• The European Digital Twin of the Ocean, leading innovation and industry growth ;
• and engaging society and building skills".

In total, the Commission will invest €92M from the Horizon Europe programme to kickstart OceanEye: €50M to strengthen the EU's contribution to the Global Ocean Observing System, €12M to…