From 8 to 12 June 2026, representatives of the Copernicus Marine In Situ Thematic Assembly Centre (In Situ TAC) participated in the first Digital Ocean Week, organised by Mercator Ocean International in Brussels.
This landmark event brought together European institutions, scientists, policymakers, industry representatives and technology experts to discuss the future of ocean observation, digital services and artificial intelligence for the ocean.
A major highlight of the week was the 9th Copernicus Marine General Assembly, which gathered the Copernicus Marine Service community to review achievements, discuss ongoing developments and share the strategic vision for the coming years. The General Assembly provided an excellent opportunity for the In Situ TAC team to engage with service partners, exchange experiences across thematic centers, and contribute to discussions on future priorities for Copernicus Marine.
As a key component of the Copernicus Marine Service, In Situ TAC plays a central role in collecting, harmonizing, and delivering quality controlled in situ ocean observations. Throughout the week, discussions consistently highlighted the importance of sustained observations, data quality, FAIR principles and interoperability for supporting the evolution of Copernicus Marine services and the broader European Digital Ocean ecosystem.
In Situ TAC representatives also attended the high-level OceanEye: From Vision to Implementation event, which introduced a new European initiative aimed at strengthening and coordinating ocean observation capacities across Europe. OceanEye places ocean observations at the heart of the European Digital Ocean strategy, promoting better integration of observing systems and improved access to marine data to support science, policy and climate action.
The team also participated in the inaugural AI Ocean Forum, which explored how artificial intelligence can support ocean observation, forecasting and decision-making. Discussions emphasized that reliable AI applications depend on high-quality, well-documented and quality-controlled ocean observations, underlining the essential role of In Situ TAC in providing trusted marine data.
Participation in Digital Ocean Week 2026 reinforced In Situ TAC’s commitment to supporting the Copernicus Marine Service and contributing to the development of Europe’s Digital Ocean through reliable, accessible and high-quality marine observations.
