The marine environment

Abstract The European marine community has lent strong support to satellite remote sensing techniques that have emerged over the last 15-20 years. Now Europe has its own remote sensing satellite, the European Remote Sensing Satellite (ERS-1) largely directed to ocean measurements—especially surface winds, waves and currents-by means of its suite of microwave sensors. European marine scientists also played a significant role in the arduous task of extracting reliable ocean colour signals from the record of the Coastal Zone Colour Scanner (1978-1986) over European waters. Unlike meteorologists the marine community has not yet enjoyed the benefits of an operational satellite system [c.f the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's satellites (NOAA) and Meteosat], but the analysis of data provided by United States satellites indicates that this decade will sec substantial benefits accrue to a wide variety of marine activities. Through its European Space Agency and through dedicated national programme...