A staggering 70% of the Earth's surface is covered by water. Those who are engaged in exploring marine depths are aware of the scientific and socioeconomic issues associated with deciphering the mechanics of the ocean.

Study of the marine environment is revealing the potential for considerable advances in a wide variety of fields, as is shown by the diverse projects being developed by those within the Pôle's network. An environment that interacts with and affects climate, a living storehouse of biological resources and a vast reservoir of potential energy, the sea and the world it encapsulates are a source of innovation.

A PLACE FOR INTERACTION

The sea is a fluid boundary between continents and a place of human interaction and activity. The maritime environment is making enormous demands on human ingenuity and it is crucial that a sustainable approach is now adopted to growing the maritime economy. The emerging need to counter security and pollution-related dangers and to find the sources of tomorrow's drugs and energy demands an innovative response.