Copernicus Marine Service

The Copernicus Marine Service is the European Union's initiative for ocean monitoring and forecasting. It provides regular, comprehensive, and freely available information about the state of the oceans, including sea temperature, currents, and sea level. Recently, the service has been newsworthy due to its reports on record-breaking global sea temperatures. In the first half of 2026, the service observed sustained and exceptional ocean warmth, noting that the world's oceans experienced their warmest June ever. This trend is attributed to a combination of El Niño and ongoing climate change, with forecasts indicating further temperature increases. The data provided by Copernicus Marine Service is crucial for understanding the impacts of these extreme heat events, such as potential mass-mortality events for marine species, and for informing climate adaptation and mitigation strategies.