Pierre Bahurel (CEO of Mercator Ocean) explains why Jason-3 data is important for the Copernicus Marine Service.

The launch of the Jason-3 ocean altimetry satellite last month was a huge boost for ocean monitoring.

As well as continuing the unique time series of mean sea level measurements for climate monitoring, the satellite will also play a key role in marine sciences, operational oceanography and seasonal forecasting. The satellite will form the European backbone of a virtual constellation of ocean altimeter missions with Copernicus Sentinel-3 and the future Sentinel- 6.

Jason-3 is the result of an international partnership between EUMETSAT, CNES, NOAA, NASA and the European Union, which funds European contributions to Jason-3 operations as part of its Copernicus Programme.

To find out more about how Jason-3 data, provided by EUMETSAT/NOAA, will be used by the Copernicus Marine Environment Service (CMEMS) we spoke to Pierre Bahurel, CEO of Mercator Ocean, the ocean forecasting centre entrusted by EU with implementing CMEMS.

Read the whole interview here: http://www.eumetsat.int/website/home/News/DAT_2940999.html