It’s official! Save-the-date for the 4th EMODnet Open Conference on 25-26 November 2025 in Brussels. This edition will take place during a week of EU Marine Knowledge events, starting with a 0.5-day EMODnet partnership Jamboree on 24 November PM, then the EMODnet Open Conference 25-26 November, directly followed by the Digital Ocean Forum 2025 on 27 November. Stay tuned for more information!

The 5th International Forum on Big Data for Sustainable Development Goals (FBAS 2025) will take place from 6 to 8 September 2025 in Beijing, bringing together global experts, policymakers, and innovators to explore how big data can drive progress towards the SDGs. The forum will showcase cutting-edge data solutions, foster cross-sector collaboration, and promote the use of science-based evidence in decision-making for a more sustainable future.

Follow the link for more information.

Using EMODnet Geology and Bathymetry data, ISPRA has characterized the structural settings of Italy's surrounding seas. The data provided insights into tectonic activity, including earthquakes and submarine volcanoes. This comprehensive information forms a solid basis for future studies on marine geohazard assessment and land management. Read more:

EMODnet Geology helps characterise structural settings of seas surrounding Italy | European Marine Observation and Data Network (EMODnet) 

Join EMODnet at the EMD 2025 in Cork, Ireland, from 21-23 May 2025 where EMODnet and EU DTO will be exhibiting, together with other key actors in the European marine and maritime landscape, engaging also in stakeholder workshops and plenary sessions, including continuing the Oceans and Fisheries dialogues that are shaping the European Ocean Pact. Apply now to secure your spot: https://maritime-forum.ec.europa.eu/theme/governance/european-maritime-day_en

Join Europe's maritime community at European Maritime Day (EMD) 2025, taking place from 21–23 May 2025 in Cork, Ireland. This annual event brings together professionals from businesses, governments, public institutions, NGOs, and academia to network, discuss, and outline joint actions on maritime affairs and the sustainable blue economy. Don't miss this opportunity to meet EMODnet and European Digital Twin Ocean experts face-to-face and engage with countless more marine and maritime experts throughout the programme, workshops, exhibitions, and numerous networking opportunities.

Follow the link to register today.

EMODnet Biology’s latest data product, developed by SMHI, offers a spatial-temporal interpolation of zooplankton biodiversity patterns across the greater Baltic Sea area, including the Skagerrak and Kattegat. Based on observed Shannon diversity indices from Swedish and Finnish environmental monitoring data, the product utilizes the DIVAnd (Data-Interpolating Variational Analysis in n-Dimensions) method to generate a three-dimensional interpolation across longitude, latitude, and seasonal time dimensions.

EMODnet was out in force at the European Geosciences Union (EGU) General Assembly 2025 in Vienna, Austria between 27 April to 2 May 2025.The Secretariat co-Chaired a session on EU marine data services for the European Digital Twin Ocean, and other presentations and posters were led by EMODnet Chemistry, Physics and Geology thematics, among others. This annual assembly is a prestigious event for Research and Innovation, typically welcoming over 18,000 global participants.

From 11 to 13 March 2025, the National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics-OGS, which coordinates EMODnet Chemistry, was in Monaco to represent the consortium at the workshop on Harmonization of Monitoring and Assessment of Plastic Pollution of the Global Partnership on Plastic Pollution and Marine Litter (GPML) Community of Practise (CoP). At the meeting, participants faced the challenging task of considering and bringing together different communities concerned with plastics in the economy and/or the environment, for example, as well as their best practices and terminologies.

EMODnet Geology has published a new Story Map on Seafloor Mapping, which shows the long process of geological mapping of the seafloor, interpretation of its results and the compilation of detail and overview map data. Finding and compiling spatial data of seafloor geology remains a challenge, because data and information is largely scattered, rarely compatible and often usable only by insiders. The main reason for this situation is the inaccessibility of the ocean floor and the need to use and rely on mostly geophysical methods. EMODnet is a solution as a leading European resource for marine geological data and data products – check out this latest communication to learn more!

EMODnet is proud to release an updated EMODnet Bathymetry Digital Terrain Model (DTM) based on 2024 bathymetry data. This open access data product has been a key EMODnet data product for some years and is already hugely popular with users. This latest release offers substantial enhancements, including the highest resolution harmonised seabed map of European sea regions to-date, made possible by the EMODnet Bathymetry Consortium and valuable input from EMODnet's broad network of collaborators, contributors, and experts.

On 25–27 March 2025, over 400 people joined the EMODnet Open Sea Lab 4.0 online, bringing together marine data users, data scientists, developers, and innovators from across Europe and beyond. Their mission: to co-create solutions to real-world ocean and coastal challenges using the EMODnet service and other open-source data. For this edition, participants were also given exclusive access to the full EMODnet and Copernicus Marine Service data collections via the European Digital Twin Ocean cloud-based service, which also offers state-of-the-art analytical tools and modelling capabilities. The two top winning teams will pitch their solutions at European Maritime Day 2025 in Cork, Ireland! This flagship event ended a bumper Marine Knowledge Month following EU Ocean Days 2025 (see news articles below for more information).

The “International Ocean Data Conference – III” is currently accepting abstracts for its upcoming event, scheduled for 10–11 March 2025 in Santa Marta, Colombia. Abstracts should align with the themes listed on the conference website and adhere to the provided submission guidelines. All content must be in English. Presenters will be required to submit a prerecorded video and participate in the Q&A session associated with their presentation, either in person or virtually. Limited financial support is available for presenters from developing countries with accepted papers; individuals should indicate any funding needs during the abstract submission process. All abstracts must be submitted electronically by 24 January 2025 (midnight CET). Additional details can be found at: https://oceandataconference.org

The BlueInvest Day 2025 is scheduled for March 5-6, 2025, at Sparks Meeting in Brussels, Belgium. This flagship event, organized by the European Commission, brings together innovators, entrepreneurs, and investors in the blue economy to foster partnerships and showcase cutting-edge solutions for sustainable growth. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage in targeted breakout sessions, keynote speeches, panel discussions, and pitch sessions, all aimed at driving innovation and investment in marine and maritime industries. For more information and to register, please visit: BlueInvest Community website

A new data set containing over 67,000 charted, uncharted, wrecks from around the world is now available on EMODnet. The data set is maintained by the UK Hydrographic Office and receives regular quarterly updates.

A detailed map of the seabed and its associated habitats is essential for the sustainable management of our oceans. One of EMODnet Seabed Habitats main products is EUSeaMap, which is a broad-scale habitat map for all European sea basins, as well as the Caribbean. It represents a comprehensive, free and ready-to-use classified map of physical seabed habitats. There is an ongoing requirement to update this map with new and revised input data, in order to improve spatial coverage and resolution, thereby enhancing its usefulness. This storymap illustrates the different phases of EUSeaMap from the first iteration in 2012 to the most recently published version - EUSeaMap 2023.

Each EMODnet thematic is underpinned by an expert network as part of the wider EMOD-network. The EMODnet Chemistry Partnership celebrates its 15th birthday with the entire EMODnet community by summarising its 2024 highlights. EMODnet Chemistry was launched in 2009 and has been working for 15 years to put the FAIR data principles into practice. Over the years, technologies have changed, old methods have given way to new ones, but core partners have remained and have included more and more data centres and data providers. Let's discover together the key outcomes of EMODnet Chemistry 2024 and what's in the pipeline!

The EMODnet Secretariat presented highlights of an EMODnet for ports, marinas and boating sectors workshop at BOOT 2025, the international watersports show in Düsseldorf, Germany. The workshop, co-organised with the European Boating Industry, TransEurope marinas and the European Sea Ports Organisation produced a report in December 2024, with key outcomes presented directly to stakeholders from these Blue Economy sectors as part of the Blue Innovation Dock at BOOT 2025. Click below to read the full report.

The AEC Summit at Geospatial World Forum 2025 will take place on 24–25 April 2025 in Madrid, Spain. Abstract submissions are due by 30 December 2024, offering a prime opportunity for experts and innovators to share insights on digital transformation in the AEC sector. Don’t miss the chance to contribute to high-level discussions, network with global leaders, and discover practical solutions for integrating geospatial technologies into infrastructure projects.

Less than 2 months ago, EMODnet held its fourth Blue Economy workshop, with this edition’s focus on the Ports, Marinas and boating sectors. And now you can read all about it in the workshop report, released this week for public access and download. The event was held online on 22 October 2024, co-organised by EMODnet, EC DG MARE, the European Boating Industry (EIB), TransEurope Marinas and the European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO). The event brought together over 70 experts, including representatives from local and national port authorities, representatives of marinas, boating operators, European networks of these Blue Economy sectors, and wider stakeholders from the public and private sectors, together with EMODnet experts and wider open data specialists. Recommendations include marine data needs from these sectors, current and emerging uses of EMODnet data to support ports, marinas and boating operations and planning, and the value of data sharing, including how EMODnet’s data ingestion can support this process to ensure FAIR data, for the benefit of all.

What do you get if you combine the EMODnet marine data service and the European Digital Twin Ocean (EDITO) platform in a Hackathon? A world-first opportunity to ideate and innovate using Europe’s most comprehensive  in situ  marine data and data products, on the cloud! From 25–27 March 2024, the fourth edition of the EMODnet Open Sea Lab (OSL 4.0) Hackathon will offer exactly that. And, as a free, online event, this hackathon is truly open to all. Registration is now open, just in time for the festive season! Don’t miss this chance to join a community of ocean innovators—register now and turn your data-driven vision into action! Winning teams will receive a variety of prizes. Terms and conditions apply.