The Mediterranean observation systems: MonGOOS analysis of present capabilities, weaknesses and perspectives

Abstract. Ocean monitoring is a crucial component of Earth's observation systems. These systems have evolved to achieve a global scope and an exceptionally high level of complexity, encompassing not only observation programs but also data centres for collection and storage, as well as computational facilities where predictions and re-analyses of oceanic conditions are generated using coupled ocean-atmosphere circulation models. The products generated by the different components of the oceanic observation systems are of paramount importance for the knowledge of the environmental state of the oceans, their variability ranges, the impact of natural and anthropogenic stressors (such as climate change) and, in summary, the appropriate governance of the sea and the sustainable use of its resources.

Given the diverse nature of the data (collected through a wide range of technologies, instruments, and institutions across multiple countries), it can be challenging to maintain a comprehensive overview of existing observation programs and datasets. MonGOOS (Mediterranean Oceanographic Network for the Global Ocean Observing System) serves as a GOOS (Global Ocean Observing System) Regional Alliance (GRA). Through its Observations Working Group (OBSWG), MonGOOS has conducted an extensive consultation among Mediterranean institutions to compile information on ongoing observation programs and the institutions operating within this basin. The results of this consultation, obtained through the collaboration of a very large number of scientists and technicians from a wide range of institutions, are reflected in this community report. These objectives of this report are:

i) To update our knowledge of existing observation capabilities in the Mediterranean Sea. ii) To identify contact persons for strengthening the current MonGOOS network in order to keep this information up to date in the future. iii) To describe the present strengths and weaknesses of the Mediterranean Sea’s observation system. iv) To support European ocean observation programs such as the Copernicus Marine Service and the European Marine Observation and Data Network (EMODnet).

The consultation phase began in July 2023 and continued until December 2025. It included a survey addressed to 90 researchers from 59 institutions across 18 countries as well as contacts with several EuroGOOS task teams, IOC (Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission) sea level monitoring, as well as OceanOPS, for the compilation of metadata. During this consultation phase, the list of researchers addressed increased to 126. Finally, metadata from observation activities were obtained from 74 institutions belonging to 16 countries, 4 companies and the European Joint Research Centre (JRC).

The description of all the observation capabilities in the Mediterranean Sea is not closed and should be considered as an ongoing effort to be reviewed periodically and more systematically in the future. However, we believe that this objective has been accomplished to a high degree of detail and inclusivity. The present compilation includes most of the currently active and operational observing systems, including 80 Argo floats and 16 surface drifters, 58 high-frequency radars (HFR), 220 tide gauges and 85 tsunami alerting devices, 9 periodic or sustained glider lines, 5 FerryBox lines, 11 wave buoys, 36 subsurface or deep moorings, 46 meteorological and oceanographic surface buoys, 5 seabed platforms or cabled observatories, 13 periodic transects or repeated cruises, and 17 oceanographic stations visited on a regular basis (time-series stations).

The present survey revealed a strong asymmetry in the distribution of these platforms, reflecting a clear discrepancy in the capabilities of different Mediterranean countries. It also shows the difficulty for maintaining long-term observations, the fragility of some of these programs, and the need for national programs with structural and sustainable funds that are not only subject to competitive financial support