Overview

Dear EMODnet partners, associated partners, wider stakeholders, 2026 is well underway, and (as in previous years) has started at a fast pace. In this New Year’s (NY) letter we look back at the collective accomplishments and milestones of EMODnet in 2025. And we look forward to what’s ahead for EMODnet in 2026 and beyond! 2025 was the busiest yet, with EMODnet making waves as the European in situ marine data service. Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans, Costas Kadis recognised EMODnet as an invaluable cornerstone for the successful implementation of the Ocean Pact. Through consultations, flagship events and key partnerships – from data sharing to user engagement – 2025 was a year when EMODnet demonstrated its value, exemplifying how the service is making a real difference, from simplifying the marine knowledge value chain and saving costs for stakeholders to its provision of foundational, trusted and actionable marine data and data products. The EMODnet expert network of 133 partners across 33 countries – from the Secretariat, Central Portal, thematic and data ingestion – continued to deliver new data integration, updated services, expert advice, guidance and leadership on standards and good practices. And visibility and our user-base grew, using EMODnet to support EU (and global) ocean-related policy implementation, drive competitiveness in the Blue Economy, underpin Research and Innovation, and beyond. 2025 was also the first year that EMODnet’s full offer was tested on the cloud, with EMODnet OSL 4.0 Hackathon participants gaining exclusive access to EMODnet on the European Digital Twin Ocean infrastructure platform (EDITO), leveraging the power of data, computing power and models to drive solutions and applications to ocean and coastal challenges. Later in 2025, EMODnet and Copernicus Marine Service showcased EDITO at the UN Ocean Conference 2025 Digital Ocean Pavilion, to President of the EC Ursula von der Leyen and thousands more stakeholders. The year culminated in a full week of Marine Knowledge at the EMODnet Open Conference 2025, which brought EMODnet’s diverse stakeholder community together for the launch of the EMODnet community Vision 2035. This sets out clear recommendations for EMODnet’s service evolution over the next decade with an overarching ambitious – yet necessary – call to action for EMODnet’s annual funding to be (at least) doubled in the next Multi-annual Financial Framework (2028–2034). In the shorter-term, EMODnet will consolidate, evolve and prepare to scale, expanding its data sharing partnerships, service provision, user engagement, its contribution to the UN Ocean Decade and more. Let’s seize the year and turn EMODnet’s Vision into reality, together!

We wish our partners, associated partners of the EMOD-network and wider community Seasons Greetings and a great New Year to come!

EMODnet is delighted to share further highlights from its recent Open Conference (OC) 2025, held on 25–26 November 2025 in Brussels, Belgium, including plenary recordings, presentations, photos and more. The OC brought together more than 450 participants from 33 countries on-site and online. As the European Union’s in situ marine data service, EMODnet showcased its essential role in delivering actionable marine data and knowledge for the European Ocean Pact the EU Ocean Observation Initiative and the European Digital Twin Ocean. The event also launched the EMODnet Vision 2035, a community roadmap for EMODnet’s service evolution over the next decade.

EMODnet will contribute to the Ocean Sciences Meeting 2026, taking place in Glasgow, Scotland from 22 to 27 February 2026, including the co-organisation of a dedicated session focused on ocean data sharing and coordination. The session, “Advancing Ocean Data Sharing for Science, Policy and Sustainable Development”, is co-organised by EMODnet, the UN Ocean Decade Ocean Data Sharing Coordination Office, and the Schmidt Ocean Institute. It will bring together experts from science, infrastructure, and policy communities to discuss progress, challenges, and opportunities in improving ocean data sharing across scales and initiatives.

In this interview, Nathalie Tonné (EMODnet Secretariat) and Pierre Sérodes (Ifremer) share how scientific expertise, advanced data infrastructures, and specialised experts in marine science, data and services are the drive behind flagship products like the EMODnet EUSeaMap broad-scale habitat map for Europe, and how the EMOD-network is key to supporting and driving innovation in (marine) data science —from Ocean Hackathons to the in situ marine data in the European Digital Twin of the Ocean. Discover more and the value of long-standing partnerships (here highlighting Ifremer) that continues to shape EMODnet to this day.

EMODnet welcomes the entry into force of the BBNJ Agreement (Biodiversity Treaty) on 17 January 2026, marking a major milestone for global ocean governance. Adopted under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, the Agreement establishes, for the first time, a legally binding framework to conserve and sustainably use marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction, which cover nearly half of the planet. As an operational European marine data service, EMODnet already provides essential foundations for implementing the Agreement through open, harmonised and interoperable marine data, including seabed habitat information via EUSeaMap through EMODnet Seabed Habitats and end-to-end biodiversity data and data products, including species distribution data accessible through EMODnet Biology, supporting environmental assessments, marine protected areas, and progress towards the global 30×30 biodiversity target. EMODnet will continue to support evidence-based decision-making by ensuring trusted marine data, harmonised at European and increasingly global scales, and stands ready to scale its services to meet user needs for the revised MSFD and the new Nature Restoration Law, working with Member States in cooperation with the EEA and the European Commission.

We are pleased to announce the release of the OSL 3.0 Final Report and OSL 3.0 Highlights Video. These resources provide a summary of the event which took place in early Spring 2023, and the key results and outcomes. Thanks to all co-organisers, mentors, coaches and participants for an engaging and interactive event that pushed the boundaries of marine data innovation.

Meeting minutes and presentations are available for: 16th EMODnet (Spring 2022) Steering Committee Meeting 7th EC Marine Knowledge Expert Group (MKEG) Meeting Minutes 11th EMODnet (Spring 2022) Technical Working Group Meeting

The Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere (IMPA), one of the EMODnet partners, is a state laboratory whose mission is to promote and coordinate scientific research, technological development, innovation and services on sea and atmosphere. This use case is set in the context of REPowereu project and used EMODnet data to develop up to 10 GW of electrical production centers in the offshore of Portugal, based on oceanic renewable energy until 2030.

EMODnet Chemistry data was used in a research study in the Mediterranean Sea region to support the implementation of Good Environmental Status as defined by the MSFD. More specifically, researchers developed a common methodology for the determination of eutrophication thresholds and reference values for the Eastern Mediterranean Sea basin, and tested an integrative tool as a common assessment method for eutrophication status.

EMODnet played a pivotal role in a recent study conducted by the Southampton Marine and Maritime Institute (SMMI) of the University of Southampton, a global leader in oceanography and marine geoscience. Master’s student Cedric Muscat, alongside SMMI experts and external stakeholders, utilised EMODnet’s extensive datasets, including Bathymetry, Seabed Substrate, and parameters of Human Activities, to identify optimal locations for offshore wind farms in Malta's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

The European Commission has launched a combined public consultation and call for evidence on the update of the EU Arctic Policy to ensure the policy remains fit for purpose in addressing rapid environmental and geopolitical changes in the Arctic. Contributions will inform the review of climate, security, environmental protection, sustainable development, and international cooperation elements of the EU’s Arctic engagement. The Call is open until 16 March 2026. Find out more:

The European Commission has launched a call for evidence in support of the ongoing review of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD). This consultation invites input from stakeholders including scientists, public authorities, industry, NGOs, and citizens to help assess the effectiveness of the MSFD, identify challenges, and shape options for potential revision to better protect marine ecosystems and support sustainable use. The Call is open until 9 March 2026. Find out more: https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/16093-Marine-environment-protection-revision-of-EU-rules_en

The European Commission has opened a call for evidence to help shape the European Ocean Observation Initiative, a cornerstone of the Ocean Pact. This proposes to strengthen ocean observing capacity, improve marine data collection and sharing, and support European leadership in ocean observation technologies. The feedback will inform a Commission Communication outlining goals, governance, and priorities for coordinated ocean observation across the EU. The Call is open until 27 February 2026. Find out more: https://oceans-and-fisheries.ec.europa.eu/news/commission-seeks-feedback-ocean-observation-initiative-2026-01-19_en

How is ocean data shaping global governance and policymaking? The ERC research project TwinPolitics is investigating this question through a new international survey exploring how ocean data, knowledge, and emerging technologies—such as the Digital Twin of the Ocean (DTO)—inform decision-making. The survey is open to policymakers, diplomats, researchers, NGOs, and stakeholders involved in ocean governance. Available in six UN languages and German, it takes around 15 minutes to complete and aims to identify how ocean data is used, what challenges exist, and how it can better support policy. Take the survey: https://univie.questionpro.eu/oceandatasurvey

The European Commission has launched a public consultation to gather views on the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), the EU’s long-term budget for the post-2027 period. Stakeholders from all sectors are invited to share their perspectives on future priorities, funding allocations, and how the EU budget can best support Europe’s challenges and ambitions. The consultation is open until 7 May 2025. Follow the link to learn more.

UNESCO in partnership with the Committee on Data (CODATA) of the International Science Council (ISC) is launching a consultation to explore how the principles of open science could guide efficient policies for data sharing in times of crisis. The International Science Council is seeking contributions to help develop data policies that enhance global responses to crises. Effective data policies are critical for ensuring timely, reliable, and actionable information in times of emergency. Your expertise can help shape guidelines that empower better decision-making and foster international collaboration. Share your insights and contribute to this important initiative. The deadline for input is 16 December. Learn more and get involved: Developing Data Policies for Crisis

The World Conference on Marine Biodiversity (WCMB) 2026 will take place from 17–20 November 2026 in Bruges, Belgium, with organisation led by the Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ). This flagship global event will gather scientists, policymakers, and stakeholders to explore the latest research, innovations, and solutions for marine biodiversity observations, data, conservation and sustainable ocean management. The Call for Abstracts is open until 17 March 2026 (23:59 CET), and registration is now available via the WCMB 2026 registration portal, with early-bird rates valid until 18 June 2026. Find all submission details and updates on the WCMB 2026 website.

The call for abstracts for the World Conference on Marine Biodiversity 2026 (WCMB 2026) is now open until 17 March 2026. Researchers, practitioners, and policymakers are invited to submit abstracts across the conference themes, including a dedicated EMODnet session focused on “Science that makes a difference: supporting knowledge-based policies.” This session will explore how marine knowledge and data can better inform policy and decision-making processes. Find out more and submit an abstract: Call for abstracts: https://www.wcmb2026.org/call-abstracts EMODnet session: https://www.wcmb2026.org/6-science-makes-difference-supporting-knowledge-based-policiesTitle: EGI Conference 2026: Advancing Digital Infrastructure for Science and Innovation

The EGI Conference 2026 will take place in Ghent, Belgium, from 21 to 25 September 2026, bringing together researchers, infrastructure providers, policymakers, and industry. EGI2026 offers a key forum to explore advances in federated digital infrastructures, data services, and computing, and to discuss how these capabilities support open science, innovation, and impactful research across Europe and beyond. Find out more: https://www.egi.eu/event/egi2026/

From 27 June – 1 July 2022, ocean stakeholders gathered in Lisbon, Portugal for the second UN Ocean Conference. Experts from across the EMOD-network co-organised and participated in a number of activities, including a side event on Marine Data Interoperability co-organised by EMODnet, IOC-UNESCO, Fugro, IODE/IOC, VLIZ, Copernicus Marine Service and the Intertidal Agency, in collaboration with the EC and the UN Ocean Decade Data Coordination Group, for which EMODnet is a co-Chair, and a side event on “Digital Ocean Systems” co-organised by Mercator Ocean International, amongst others. Ocean Literacy also featured highly on the agenda with a side event on Ocean Literacy Dialogues co-organised by the EC DG MARE, the European Ocean Literacy Coalition EU4Ocean and IOC-UNESCO. In addition, EMODnet was highlighted as a key marine data service and infrastructure for the EU Green Deal, Digital Twin Ocean, UN 2030 Agenda and the UN Ocean Decade. The European Atlas of the Seas communication tool was also noted to be the mapping tool selected by the EC for reporting the evolution of Mission “Restore our Ocean, seas and inland waters by 2030”. And it was celebrated as a tool for education at the event Creating Good Vibes' Generations which brought together the Escola Azul community, the Portuguese network of Blue Schools, a key component of the European Ocean Literacy EU4Ocean Coalition.