Fostering European added value to component national programmes, facilitating access and shared use of national marine research facilities, and promoting synergy with international programmes and organisations. In the development of its objectives, the Marine Board shall not be involved in any operational activities. Whilst the emphasis is on science, the ESF Marine Board fully recognises the increasing interdependence between science and technology and, as a result, will promote the appropriate technological developments for the achievement of its scientific objectives. The ESF shall approve the institutional membership of the ESF Marine Board to be composed of organisations which are major national marine scientific institutes and funding organisations in their country. No more than two organisations per country can be member of the ESF Marine Board.
Membership is for a period of three years, which is renewable.
As a rule, the member organisations shall be represented in the meetings of the Marine Board by their head or leading staff member, with a mandate to represent his organisation 4. The Marine Board shall elect its Chairperson for a three-year period. The Marine Board shall meet at least once in the calendar year. The Marine Board may invite experts and representatives of relevant organisations to assist in their deliberations and activities. The Marine Board may establish specialised Working Groups, and in particular Feasibility Study Groups, to promote and undertake particular activities on the Marine Board's behalf.