Seas, Oceans & Public Health in Europe

The Seas, Oceans and Public Health in Europe project (SOPHIE) has developed a research road map for the next decade of oceans and human health science across Europe. This work has been funded by the EU's Horizon 2020 programme.

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The SOPHIE Strategic Research Agenda outlines the research needed to answer fundamental questions in the field of Oceans and Human Health. It describes how evidence should be provided to policy makers and suggests how oceans and health literacy can be improved in Europe and beyond.

Executive summary

  • Section 1

Introduction

The Strategic Research Agenda outlines a roadmap to boost Oceans and Human Health research capacity in Europe. It will promote public health, protect regional seas and safeguard the global ocean.

Our vision for food from the oceans is for fish and seafood to be healthy, nutritious, safe and accessible to all, while ensuring sustainability of fisheries and aquaculture.

Improved individual and community physical and mental health and well-being through enhanced interactions with healthy blue spaces that are sustainably managed.

Targeting approaches to the use of marine biodiversity in disease prevention while preserving marine ecosystems.

Given its complexity, the development of OHH research will require transdisciplinary and trans-sector collaborations across many stakeholder groups.

Several priorities and overarching recommendations emerge from this Strategic Research Agenda in relation to research.

All goals should be measurable and achievable. Multiple outcomes will indicate attainment of the required OHH research capacity in Europe.

Read the Strategic Research Agenda