EMODnet’s key work for EDITO will continue to strengthen in 2025, with the completion of the first phase of EDITO which delivered a common data lake between EMODnet and Copernicus Marine Service, and a prototype EDITO platform, launched at the Digital Ocean Forum 2024. In 2025, the engagement with the EMODnet partners as well as wider stakeholders will increase, and we encourage you to watch this space for updates and announcements on how to get involved. And, in the meantime, you can get access to the EMODnet and CMEMS offer on the EDITO platform by signing up for the public, free Open Sea Lab 4.0 an EMODnet Hackathon series, which for this 2025 edition (online, 25-27 March 2025) sees a direct partnership with EDITO, in collaboration with Mercator Ocean International and Copernicus Marine Service.

EMODnet’s Biology experts have published a new open access paper addressing the challenges of creating biodiversity data products to address user needs, due to the complexity of biological systems and of the data derived from surveys designed without explicit biodiversity policy or management guidance, and the key role of EMODnet’s expertise for this thematic area.

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.

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.

On 15 January 2025, EMODnet will showcase how its open and FAIR marine data and products contribute to the UN Ocean Decade initiative. The webinar will focus on: Challenge 3: Sustainably feed the global population, Challenge 4: Develop a sustainable, resilient, and equitable ocean economy and Challenge 6: Increase community resilience to ocean hazards. This is a unique opportunity to explore how Earth observation, in situ, and modelled marine data drive solutions for a sustainable ocean future. Learn more and register today!

The European Maritime Day 2025, taking place in Cork, Ireland, on 22-23 May 2025, invites proposals for stakeholder workshops until 30 December. This is your opportunity to organize a workshop that engages the maritime community, fosters collaboration, and addresses key topics in the sustainable blue economy. Submit your workshop proposal and contribute to shaping this flagship event for Europe’s maritime sector. Learn more and apply here: European Maritime Day 2025 Workshop Call

On 4-13 June 2025 in Nice, France, the EU Digital Ocean Pavilion will serve as a central hub at the UN Ocean Conference, and related One Ocean Congress, spotlighting EU flagship ocean programmes, missions, and operational services for Marine Knowledge, including EMODnet, Copernicus Marine Service and the European Digital Twin Ocean. Submit your application to contribute content, organize your own event and drive forward-looking dialogues that foster innovation, sustainability, and global marine stewardship by 6 January 2025.

On 15 January 2025, EMODnet will highlight how its open and FAIR marine data and products support the UN Ocean Decade. The webinar will address three key challenges, namely Challenge 3: Sustainably feed the global population, Challenge 4: Develop a sustainable, resilient, and equitable ocean economy and Challenge 6: Increase community resilience to ocean hazards. Join this event to discover how Earth observation,  in situ and modelled marine data can drive tangible solutions for a sustainable ocean future. >Learn more and register today!

On 13 December, the Open Group of the Belgium National Decade Committee (NDC) convened for its annual meeting, creating a valuable forum for discussing the latest developments in Belgium’s Ocean Decade initiatives. NDC Co-chairs along with Secretariat members, presented an overview of recent achievements and upcoming opportunities for 2024. Frederic Leclercq and Willem B. (VLIZ) introduced the Digital Twin of the Ocean concept, showcasing foundational work and initial user applications, while Conor Delaney (EMODnet) highlighted how the European Marine Observation and Data Network supports this digital transformation. Additional speakers addressed the importance of capacity development and digitalization skills at the Regional Training Center Belgium, as well as the evolving skill requirements for the Blue Economy within Flanders.

Did you know that EMODnet has a searchable database of > 100 use cases demonstrating concrete uses of EMODnet’s data, data products and services? Use cases are provided by stakeholders spanning local authorities and the private sector, to policy makers using EMODnet to deliver European policy and provide evidence for Regional, European and global assessments. EMODnet has an open call for use cases - so if you are interested to showcase how you utilise EMODnet, and give your organisation visibility, let’s talk! And, if you are a data provider and have a success story of your data submission and ingestion to EMDODnet we’d also love to hear from you - more information on how EMODnet celebrates its hundreds of data providers is coming soon!

The EMODnet Portal has recently been updated with restructured and updated seafloor geology map layers on geomorphology, Quaternary and pre-Quaternary geology. It has also had a major overhaul of the existing submerged landscapes datasets into a new data product structure. These achievements are delivered by EMODnet Geology, now in the final year of the current contract. Check out the latest full offer of harmonised EMODnet Geology products spanning the deep ocean (abyssal) seafloor to coastal erosion in the EMODnet Map Viewer and Products catalogue!

In December 2024, EMODnet Biology completed a major data publication, increasing its biodiversity data holdings by over 1.2 million new occurrence records, spanning a historical time period of > 100 years for a broad range of taxonomic groups from algae to marine mammals and more. This significantly enhances data coverage and accessibility across European regional seas and the Atlantic and Arctic Oceans.

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.

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

Eurisy, +ATLANTIC, and the AIR Centre have launched a survey to enhance the Copernicus Marine Service as part of the “Blue Markets User Engagement and Product Uptake” initiative. The survey focuses on three key blue market sectors: Polar Environment Monitoring, Climate & Adaptation, and Ocean Health. Marine scientists and users of Copernicus Marine Services are invited to share their insights to help shape the future of sustainable ocean management. The survey is open until mid- December 2024 and can be accessed here

The high-level 2025 UN Ocean Conference, co-hosted by France and Costa Rica, will take place in Nice, France, from 9–13 June 2025. This pivotal event will support urgent action to conserve and sustainably use oceans, seas, and marine resources in line with Sustainable Development Goal 14. Join EMODnet in submitting an action to the UN Ocean Conference 2025 Declaration, closing date today, 29 November! Stakeholder Inputs to the 2025 UN Ocean Conference Declaration | Department of Economic and Social Affairs Additionally, special accreditation (Second Round) is now open for non-governmental organizations and other relevant stakeholders not already accredited or in consultative status with ECOSOC. This is the final opportunity to apply for observer participation in the conference. Applications are open until 13 December 2024. Learn more and apply here: Special Accreditation for the 2025 UN Ocean Conference

EMODnet will speak at the official launch of the European Catalogue of Sound Signatures on December 2, 2024, from 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM at the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) in Brussels. This one-day event will highlight the collaborative efforts behind the development of an open library containing a curated and growing digital catalogue of individual sound signatures from the shallow sea marine environment to which EMODnet and wider partners have jointly delivered data. Attendees will learn about the project’s alignment with the EU’s Open Science Policy and FAIR principles and see demonstrations of AI-powered tools connecting measured sounds to their sources. Don’t miss this opportunity to engage with policymakers, researchers, and academics to explore the potential of this innovative resource for marine research and management! Register now: Confirm your participation here

On 27 November, EMODnet Biology presented at the Blue-Cloud 2026 Webinar on FAIR Data Principles 3, highlighting the alignment of EMODnet Biology with the FAIR data principles. The presentation explained the relationship between EurOBIS and EMODnet Biology, detailing the types and volume of metadata being made available and the adherence to FAIR principles in improving metadata accessibility and interoperability. The session also outlined the Blue-Cloud 2026 plan for EurOBIS metadata, which focuses on continuously enhancing the FAIRness level of data. EMODnet's commitment to driving metadata improvements by aligning with INSPIRE directives and ISO 19115 standards was also showcased. The improvements in the FAIRness of the data are key to fostering greater interoperability across the marine biology discipline and creating connections with other fields such as marine chemistry and physics, further supporting multidisciplinary research and applications. The webinar emphasized the collaborative efforts between EurOBIS, EMODnet Biology and Blue-Cloud 2026 in promoting open science and fostering sustainable data management practices.”