13. Takes note from the Centre that the ex post grant verification plan for 2012 experienced delays and was merged with the grant verification plan for 2013; acknowledges that the grant verification plan for 2013 is being implemented with the help of an external audit firm, contracted under the Commission’s framework contract for the supply of technical assistance services in the field of audits and controls; calls on the Centre to inform the discharge authority about the results of the selected audits which are being performed under the 2013 plan;

13. Takes note from the Centre that the ex post grant verification plan for 2012 experienced delays and was merged with the grant verification plan for 2013; acknowledges that the grant verification plan for 2013 is being implemented with the help of an external audit firm, contracted under the Commission’s framework contract for the supply of technical assistance services in the field of audits and controls; calls on the Centre to inform the discharge authority about the results of the selected audits which are being performed under the 2013 plan;

Dissemination of the data shall be undertaken either in the ‘pull mode’, i.e. by downloading from the data centres web sites; or in the ‘push mode’, whereby regular data files will be provided to the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) Global Telecommunication System (GTS), to the International Argo Data Centres, to the European Marine Observation and Data Network (EMODnet), to the Copernicus Marine Service and to specific users upon request.

87. Calls on the Commission to promote partnerships between the private sector and research institutes, as well as crossborder partnerships such as the European Marine Biological Resource Centre, since marine biotechnology and access to marine biodiversity require scientific knowhow and sophisticated and expensive equipment;

21. Stresses that the gaps in scientific knowledge on maritime activities and their environment constitute obstacles for spatial planning, and highlights the importance of the initiative ‘Marine Knowledge 2020’ and its specific objectives, such as the mapping of the seabed of European waters by 2020; considers that the seabed should be uniformly mapped so that the information can be accessed by interested European bodies, specifically research centres, universi ...[+++]ties, and public institutions;

(3) In order to ensure the continuation of proper conservation and management of marine biological resources, Council Regulation (EC) No 850/98 should be updated by incorporating the transitional technical measures into it .