Monitoring the European Marine Environment: The Copernicus Operational Marine Service

The 1^st May 2015, after a demonstration period of about 6 years through the MyOcean series of EU funded research projects, the Copernicus Marine Environment and Monitoring Service (CMEMS) was launched. This operational service delivers open and free, state of the art long time series, analysis and forecast products on the physical state of the ocean and marine ecosystems for the Global Ocean and the European regional seas. Derived from space and in-situ observations and from models, the products are available through an European one-stop-shop that includes a structured information catalogue. Information is validated and verified, its control is based on a documented quality system, and its upgrades, results of short- to long-term R&D activities and user demand, are managed by rigorous methodological processes. The system is based on a distributed architecture of Production Centres responsible for thematic observation areas or model-based geographical areas. Common standards are adopted and applied throughout the different elements of the system, each participating in the service delivery provided through a single interface giving access to all products and information produced. Products and access services are delivered to more than 5500 intermediate users in compliance with regulations and standards applicable to product content, associated information (metadata) and documentation, such as INSPIRE Directive.