Global Ocean Indicators: Building a Common Language for Ocean Knowledge
A new global framework for Ocean indicators, led by Dr. Karina von Schuckmann from Mercator Ocean International and developed under the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS) initiative, aims to translate Ocean science into actionable knowledge, supporting sustainable decision-making and policy. Figure 1. Diagram showing how Ocean science and operational services support informed decision-making and Ocean […]
Copernicus Marine Ocean State Report 9: A Triple Planetary Crisis is Affecting the Ocean
As implementors of the Copernicus Marine Service, Mercator Ocean has unveiled the ninth edition of its flagship Ocean State Report. The report provides evidence that every part of the ocean is now affected by the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. It also offers a comprehensive scientific assessment of the ocean’s […]
Unprecedented Year-Long Tracking of Juvenile Loggerhead Turtles Thanks to Microsatellite Tags
In July 2024, researchers released ten rehabilitated juvenile loggerheads into the Bay of Biscay, equipped with miniaturized satellite tags to track their movements. One turtle was tracked for longer than a full year, setting a record for turtles of its size. Led by Upwell, Aquarium La Rochelle, and Mercator Ocean International, the project is revealing […]
The immeasurable value of plankton to humanity : a new study explore these minuscule organisms
Figure 1. Illustrations of the different types of plankton. Plankton Unveiled Plankton may be tiny and often invisible to the naked eye, but their impact on our planet and humanity is immeasurable. A new paper, coordinated by Dr. Maria Grigoratou and Lillian Diarra from Mercator Ocean International, and authored by a global team of 47 […]
New Mercator Ocean Study Reveals Swimming Activity of Juvenile Pacific Loggerhead Turtles
New study unveils how young loggerhead turtles navigate the Pacific during their early life stages. By combining satellite tracking with Ocean data, the study illustrates how operational oceanography is contributing to a better understanding of marine species. Rewriting the Story of the Turtles’ So-Called “Lost Years” A new international study led by Philippe Gaspar and […]
June 2025 is the 3rd warmest June for the global Ocean following 2023 and 2024
Marine heatwaves continue to intensify and expand, with June 2025 breaking records for sea surface temperatures and heatwave extent across Europe and the global ocean. Intense heatwaves are impacting 62% of the Mediterranean. While some regions show signs of easing, others remain under severe thermal stress. Key Highlights In the Mediterranean Sea, June 2025 was […]
Assessing the Ocean in 2024
A recap of the main highlights of the year for sea surface temperature, marine heatwave events and sea ice extent and volume. Ocean Temperature Sea Surface Temperature The mean sea surface temperature (SST) across the global ocean was higher than any previous year from January to July 2024, resulting in an annual mean of 20.95°C […]
2023 was an unusual year for sea ice extent. What to expect from this season’s Arctic and Antarctic sea ice?
This time of year, maximum and minimum sea ice coverage is expected in the Arctic and in the Antarctic, respectively. At opposite seasonal cycles, the north and south poles reach their freezing and melting peaks every year between February and March. Scientists at Mercator Ocean International (MOi) have been monitoring seasonal sea ice changes using […]
El Niño Update November 2023
An El Niño event has been underway since spring 2023. Conditions have been gaining strength, and as of mid-November, these are still observed in the tropical Pacific Ocean. The evolution of El Niño remains uncertain, but it is likely that it will shortly peak and end in the coming Northern Hemisphere spring. This bulletin details […]