AORA - The Last Great Exploration Campaign on Earth

Atlantic Ocean Research Alliance Coordination and Support Action launches new websiteThe Atlantic Ocean Research Alliance Coordination and Support Action (AORA-CSA), has redeveloped and redesigned the website to better show the impacts of the research being undertaken under AORA related projects for society. The work has been led by the Marine Institute’s Dr. Margaret Rae, Director, Atlantic Ocean Research Alliance Co-ordination & Support Action (AORA-CSA). Peter Heffernan CEO Marine Institute is overall coordinator for the AORA-CSA.

AORA's focus is ‘to work to explore, understand, harness and manage the Atlantic Ocean's potential’.

The shared vision of AORA partners is ‘an Atlantic that is healthy, resilient safe, productive, understood and treasured so as to promote the well-being, prosperity and security of present and future generations’.

The newly developed website aims to speak to the general population as to how together; Canada, the European Union and the United States of America, are building a community across and along the Atlantic Ocean, focusing on five key areas:

  • An Atlantic Ocean Map - To date, just 5% of the ocean floor has been mapped. Under AORA, the remainder of the Atlantic Ocean floor will be charted, making it the best-understood ocean on Earth. Seabed mapping will enable us to observe, understand and help predict changes in weather, climate and ecosystems  https://www.atlanticresource.org/aora/what-we-do#mapping

  • Ocean Observation - By closely observing and analysing ocean systems, scientists can provide us with the data and information needed to help us understand the ocean, its impact on us, and our impact on it.  https://www.atlanticresource.org/aora/what-we-do#observation

  • Food from the Ocean - Oceans serve as the world’s largest source of protein, with more than 3 billion people relying on the oceans as their primary source of protein. The human population is increasing and estimates are that there will be 9.7 billion people on Earth by 2050. Under AORA, research teams are finding smarter ways to sustainably catch and grow what future generations will need so that together we can help feed the world.  https://www.atlanticresource.org/aora/what-we-do#food

  • A Healthy Ocean - The ocean is in our hands. It is an immense, complex ecosystem with a myriad of life forms, from the tiniest of organisms to the largest of whales. This system is vast and wild, but not infinite. Through AORA scientists are seeking to improve ocean health, promote sustainable management of the Atlantic Ocean and enhance protection of its vulnerable life forms and habitats.  https://www.atlanticresource.org/aora/what-we-do#healthy

  • Ocean Literacy - If literacy is the way in which we interpret and make sense of our world, then ocean literacy is the way in which we understand the ocean’s influence on us and, in turn, our human influence on the ocean. Our health and well-being depends on the health of our seas and oceans. To ensure a healthy ocean for us now and for future generations, we all need to be better informed about how the ocean affects us and how what we do affects the oceans.  https://www.atlanticresource.org/aora/what-we-do#literacy 

Atlanticresource.org now answers questions in each of these key areas as to what exactly the key area  is, why it is important, what is currently being done and plans for the future.

Along with the newly redeveloped website a social media campaign is being launched today across social media channels to further socialise the impacts of the research being carried out under AORA (H2020) related projects across a wider European audience and specifically to target coastal communities. Key messages of this campaign are designed to engage those not aware of AORA and the impact it can have on our oceans, today and into the future.

AORA - Last Great Exploration Campaign on Earth - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uktwQre4O2M 

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