Main Objective: To assess the status of the South and Tropical Atlantic marine ecosystem and develop a framework for predicting its future changes, from months to decades, by combining ecosystem observations, climate-based ecosystem prediction and information on future socio-economic and ecosystem service changes, and thus to contribute to the sustainable management of human activities in the Atlantic Ocean as a whole.

TRIATLAS has the following specific objectives (SO):
SO1 – To enhance knowledge of the present state and seasonal dynamics of the Atlantic marine ecosystem across several trophic levels, through scientifically integrating and extending the physical and biological observing system in key areas of the South and Tropical Atlantic (Core Theme 1; CT1).
SO2 – To quantify the drivers at interannual to decadal time scale in the Atlantic marine ecosystem, and the potential for tipping point behavior and regime shifts, by using observations and numerical (earth system, ocean, and marine ecosystem) model simulations to examine the interactions between different stressors (including climate variability, extremes, and change, as well as fisheries and pollution) and the role of cumulative impacts on ecosystem functioning and associated ecosystem services (CT2).
SO3 – To combine state-of-the-art climate prediction and ecosystem models to improve forecasting capabilities of physical stressors, tipping points, recovery and changes in ecosystem state of the South and Tropical Atlantic from months to decades (CT3)
SO4 – To contribute to improving the sustainable exploitation of Atlantic marine resources by developing scenarios combining climate based ecosystem predictions with Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSP), by conducting socioeconomic vulnerability assessments services, with stakeholder engagement and by analysing new value chains (CT4)
SO5 – To enhance capacity in marine ecosystems, oceanography, and climate research in countries bordering the South and Tropical Atlantic Ocean, so as to increase the region’s ability for managing human activities and sustainable development in the Atlantic Ocean (CT4).
SO6 – To ensure that activities are carried out both: 1) in close cooperation and alignment with relevant European Commission services (DG R&I) and the South-South Framework for Scientific and Technical Cooperation in the South and Tropical Atlantic and Southern Ocean; and 2) in coordination with other relevant projects and programmes in the field. This is to ensure coherence with related policy initiatives and to contribute to upscale cooperation along and across the Atlantic Ocean as a whole (CT4).