The ESF experts say Europe's four seas and two oceans offer diverse conditions of temperature, pressure, light and chemistry, from shallow coastal waters to the deep ocean. Marine biotechnologists can use these resources to develop new products and services. This allows them to contribute to finding solutions regarding certain challenges that affect our planet, including offering a sustainable supply of food and energy and new industrial materials and processes, and developing new drugs and health treatments.

The report offers a roadmap for European research in marine biotechnology and outlines actions that could shape a desirable science and policy agenda for the next ten years. Some actions the board refers to include creating a stronger identity and communicating to raise awareness of European marine biotechnology research; improving the technology transfer pathways to stimulate co-operation between industry and research; and developing new research strategies and programmes for marine biotechnology.

The ESF Report on Marine biotechnology is available at: http://www.esf.org/research-areas/marine-sciences/marine-board-working-groups/marine-biotechnology.html