A new year is beginning and the MIO is making progress in its structuring. In 2019, the platform-based approach was put in place and the cross-functional areas are gradually being organised. They will continue to require our full attention in 2020 and will need to be consolidated. The TONGA campaign has just been completed in the South Pacific Ocean and is now moving into the phase of analysing and exploiting the results. It is also worth noting that the calls for projects were very successful in 2019, with 31 projects funded out of the 62 submitted. These included success in ANRs (Sargasses, JCJC, PRC, etc.), European projects, Inter-Reg and JPI-Ocean. We also have a very good publication record. The new projects will keep many of us, both permanent and contract staff, busy in 2020. I would also like to congratulate all the colleagues who have won prizes for excellence in our discipline, such as those from the Academy of Sciences, the EGU, the Marine Academy and the IAPSO, as well as the engineers, technicians, researchers and teacher-researchers who have been promoted to a new grade by our supervisory bodies in 2019. For 2020, the Tunisia project has been relaunched with the renewal of the LMI-Cosysmed; the other IRD projects in Vietnam, Fiji and Chile are being structured or perpetuated in Noumea. The CPER 2012-2027 'Inv-BioMed change' and AMU 'Ocean Sciences Institute' projects have been submitted and could strengthen our international position in Oceanography and Marine Sciences in general.
Beyond these professional considerations, on behalf of the entire MIO management team, I would like to wish all of you, whether in France or abroad, the very best of health and happiness for you and your loved ones. Happy New Year 2020!
Richard Sempéré