Work Packages

The project is made up of nine work packages (WP):

WP1 Integrated Science Strategy and Governance from local to European Scales (NA1)
WP1 provides a framework for the realisation of the project workplan and for the long term sustainability and impact of the RI on research and on the implementation of the relevant European policies. It will focus on producing a long term strategy for the development and integration of coastal observatories in Europe, including observations of the physical, chemical and biological compartments, with the objective both to address the present and future scientific questions and to meet the societal challenges related to coastal regions.
WP2 Harmonization of technologies and methodologies-technical strategy (NA2)

The harmonization of technologies, methodologies and procedures is a vital step in ensuring efficiency and optimal returns from any kind of distributed, heterogeneous, multifaceted, coastal observing infrastructure operating on a transnational level such as the JERICO network. This is because such harmonization leads to an intelligent use of resources across the network, adds to the consistency of its services and products, and helps to provide uniformed access modes and interfaces to users.

The activities constituting this WP will be those of:

  • Organization, management and reporting (of harmonisation initiatives across the JERICO network);
  • consolidation (of ongoing harmonization efforts in the JERICO project);
  • extension (of these efforts to new systems and sensors);
  • standardisation (of operations and processes within the JERICO network).
WP3 Innovations in Technology and Methodology (JRA1)
The overall objective of this first JRA work package is to enhance the capability and the quality of measurements in the coastal infrastructures, taking advantage of the strong consortium of partners who are responsible for the majority of coastal observatories in Europe. Considering that coastal systems are very dynamic both in terms of physics and biology, something that is reflected in the existing observation methods, a multi-disciplinary approach is followed. The experience gained from JERICO (FP7) played a central role in the planning and strategic decisions made for the focus in this WP. Particular emphasis will be paid to the biological components of the ecosystem.
WP4 Valorisation through applied joint research (JRA2)

This work package is a synthesis of the project built upon activities in other WPs, gathering the consortium around applied Joint Research Activity Projects (JRAPs) selected to put forward the added value of JERICO-NEXT. In order to reach this objective, WP4 keeps on track the JERICO-NEXT course of actions via synthesis and application activities based on interactions with other WPs. In that way, most of WPs will be supported by results of JRAPs and reciprocally JRAPs will be fed by WPs conclusions as well. Indeed the Best Practices concept developed in WP2 can be applied; as well as some technology or methodology developments implemented in WP3. In a more general way the data flow to the European channels such as Copernicus and EMODnet will be tested and applied to JRAPs data. Results will be delivered to the public, the stakeholders and the scientific community through WP5 and WP8.

WP4 will help establishing some topical approaches for the scientific strategy in WP1 (task 1.2) and will give inputs to establish the network strategy after JERICO-NEXT (task 1.6). Indeed, six JRAPs will be implemented to address different key environmental questions and/or policy requirements such as those considered by the MSFD, and according to the 6 JERICO scientific areas:

  1.  JRAP-1 on pelagic biodiversity
  2.  JRAP-2 on benthic biodiversity
  3.  JRAP-3 on chemical contaminant occurrence and related biological responses
  4.  JRAP-4 on hydrography and transport
  5.  JRAP-5 on carbon fluxes and carbonate system
  6.  JRAP-6 on operational oceanography.
WP5 Data management (NA3)
 The JERICO-NEXT data management system will provide procedures and methodologies to enable data collected through the project to comply with the international standards regarding their quality and metadata. Apart from the physical parameters that have been collected during the JERICO (FP7) project, additional biological and chemical data are expected to be gathered during JERICO-NEXT. The data capacity will be expanded and the difficulties that may arise in the designing of a homogeneous data management system will be addressed. Efficient handling of this diverse

data set will require operational links with EMODnet Biology while large-scale relevant efforts such as OBIS and EMBOS will also be considered. Furthermore, the direct links with EMODnet Physics and the Copernicus Marine Core Service will continue to be maintained.

WP6 Virtual Access (VA1)

The primary objective of this WP is to provide free of charge “virtual access” to data and information from in situ systems such as HF radar, ferrybox and fixed platforms.

The data and information access will enable scientists to carry out high quality research using data from a variety of coastal observation systems. It will also promote the improvement of existing services and potentially the development of new services. Improvement of existing services may result from feedback from a variety of new users of services provided by the JERICO-NEXT programme. For example, access to in situ data can improve calibration and validation of numerical models and also provide sea truth data that improves the quality of information derived from remote sensing. New services may result from users developing new data processing tools, systems and algorithms (e.g. development of algorithms for processing data from HF radars) in order to make best use of data derived from JERICO Virtual Services. This WP will provide evidence of the existing client community and their needs for particular scientific services. This information will be of value in order to prioritise and promote the future development of the JERICO network. 

WP7 Trans National Access to Coastal Observatories (TNA1)
The primary objective of this WP is to provide coordinated ‘free of charge’ trans-national access to researchers or research teams from academy and industry to original coastal infrastructures listed in the following section. These access opportunities will help to build long-term collaborations between users and JERICO-NEXT partners, and will serve to promote innovation and the transfer of know-how in the coastal marine sector that offers rich promise for the future.
WP8 Outreach, communication and engagement (NA4)
The WP aim is to increase understanding of the importance and maximise the impact of JERICO-NEXT research for targeted end-users across policy, industry, science and educational sectors and the wider public and to promote uptake of JERICO-NEXT Services for Trans National and Virtual Access.

  • To create an end-user panel for engagement and fostering 2-way communication with public, policy, research, education and industry user groups.
  • To inform, engage with and identify requirements of the key user groups.
  • To ensure best possible uptake of new knowledge and evidence.
  • To enhance European capacity building in operational marine sciences (through training).
  • To maximise JERICO-NEXT international impact.
  • To promote the potential of Coastal Observatories to support ocean science technological development through Transnational Access.
  • To design, launch, maintain and host the JERICO-NEXT website with integrated communication portals for disseminating relevant data, information and project products and services.
WP9 Coordination
To ensure efficient project coordination adapted to the specifications of the JERICO-NEXT project and to achieve the project objectives and goals, the management is divided into the following sections:

  • Day to day management.
  • Financial follow-up.
  • Technical reporting.
  • Consortium animation.
  • Other management related issues.

The management strategies, internal rules and procedures will be detailed further in the Quality Assurance Plan to be delivered at the beginning of the project.