Overview   Policy

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 third edition of the European Ocean Days will take place on 2–6 March 2026, bringing together Europe’s ocean community to explore ocean literacy, blue skills, innovation, investment and the latest progress under the EU Mission Restore Our Ocean and Waters. Guided by the European Ocean Pact, the week will feature thematic sessions, stakeholder consultations and opportunities to help shape future ocean and water resilience strategies. Stay tuned for registration opening in December.

On 2-6 March 2026 the marine and maritime stakeholder community will gather in Brussels, Belgium for the latest edition of European Ocean Days, a week-long event with a series of dynamic and interconnected sessions focused on key ocean-related themes, all designed to encourage participants to engage across topics and contribute to a shared vision for the prosperity, competitiveness, security and sustainability of our ocean.

From 22–27 February 2026, the global ocean science community will gather in Glasgow, Scotland for the Ocean Sciences Meeting 2026. This leading event brings together researchers, policymakers, and innovators to share the latest advances in ocean science, technology, and solutions for a sustainable future. Don’t miss this key moment to connect and collaborate across the marine science landscape. Register today: https://www.agu.org/ocean-sciences-meeting

Ocean Sciences Meeting (OSM) 2026 will convene leading researchers, policymakers, and practitioners at the Ocean Sciences Meeting 2026, held 22–27 February 2026 in Glasgow, Scotland. EMODnet is co-organising a session on Ocean Data with the UN Ocean Decade coordination office for ocean data sharing and the Schmidt Institute at the 2026 edition. This biennial, interdisciplinary forum advances oceanographic science across physical, biological, chemical, and geological domains. Abstract submissions are open until 20 August 2025.

Check out the EMODnet session: DO005: Bridging the Ocean with Data: https://agu.confex.com/agu/osm26/prelim.cgi/Session/259571

View all OSM 2026  information: https://agu.confex.com/agu/osm26/prelim.cgi/Home/0

Join the CS-MACH1 project on 3–4 February 2026 for a workshop that brings together marine citizen science communities, data managers, developers and researchers to strengthen data flows, address common challenges and explore practical solutions for the Marine Citizen Science Data Network. The event will include project insights, live demonstrations and opportunities for participants to present their own activities and needs. Register before 15 December.

Join online on Thursday, January 29 at 11am CET for an information session on EDITO’s first call for Financial Support to 3rd Parties. The call will offer financial support to onboard existing applications onto the EDITO platform, enhancing the EDITO ecosystem contributing to the co-construction of the European Digital Twin Ocean. Learn more about who can apply, the application process, the evaluation criteria, and more in this information session. Register here.

Mark your calendars for European Maritime Day (EMD) 2026, taking place on 21-22 May 2026 in Limassol, Cyprus. This annual two-day event is the flagship gathering of Europe’s maritime community, bringing together policymakers, stakeholders, and ocean advocates to discuss sustainable blue economy priorities and future marine policy. EMODnet will be there. See you in Cyprus?

The Digital Ocean Forum (DOF) 2025 brought together the marine data and digital ocean community in Brussels for two days of inspiring discussions, demonstrations, and collaboration on the European Digital Twin Ocean. EMODnet is an active and core contributor to the DOF event series, not least as the in situ marine data component of the European Digital Twin Ocean. Held back-to-back with the EMODnet Open Conference 2025 as part of EU Marine Knowledge Week, the event showcased Europe’s progress toward a connected, data-driven, and digitally enabled ocean. You can now revisit the event’s key moments through the Photo gallery, Replays and PDF presentations and Use case testimonies!

The UN OD DCO ODS Data Sharing Software Webinar Series brought together participants from around the world to explore innovative tools and best practices for ocean data sharing. For those who were unable to attend live—or who wish to revisit the discussions—all recordings are now freely available on the IOC/IODE YouTube channel. As preparations begin for the 2026 edition of the series, organisers invite feedback from the community through a short survey where participants can suggest topics and ideas for future sessions. This initiative continues to advance knowledge exchange and strengthen capacity in open and interoperable ocean data systems.

EMODnet is a long-standing UN Ocean Decade Implementing Partner (DIP). On 8 December, the EMODnet Secretariat was invited to attend a UN OD DIP tele-meeting bringing together many DIPs involved in ocean observation and data. The meeting served as an opportunity to exchange on the latest activities and to plan upcoming contributions to the second half of the UN Ocean Decade, with EMODnet playing a crucial role as a regional marine data service already contributing to the global ocean data ecosystem.

EMODnet Chemistry has started a new phase, with its partner Consortium having been confirmed by the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA) until 2 October 2027. The main goals for the next two years and the activities to be undertaken in the first six months were presented during the kick-off meeting, which took place in Brussels during the EMODnet Jamboree and Open Conference 2025. To dive into EMODnet Chemistry data and data products and for more information, visit the EMODnet portal.

In March 2017, EMODnet was mandated to create vessel density maps of EU waters showing the average number of vessels of certain type (cargo, passenger, fishing etc.) for a given period within a grid cell. This was a direct result of user demand, following a survey carried out in 2016 by EMODnet Human Activities where vessel density maps were, by far, the most requested geospatial data product. Dive into EMODnet’s Human Activities’ Vessel Density maps to see where ships travel in EU waters and how intensively they use different areas of the sea.

On 24 November 2025, the EMODnet Partner network — comprising 133 organisations from 33 countries — gathered in Brussels for the EMODnet Partner Jamboree meeting, ahead of the EMODnet Open Conference 2025. This community event brought together experts from EMODnet’s seven thematics — Biology, Bathymetry, Geology, Seabed Habitats, Chemistry, Physics, Human Activities — EMODnet Data Ingestion, Central Portal and Secretariat. The partner meetings included kick-off meeting of some thematics’ new workplans, cross-thematic exchanges and dedicated discussions. The full partnership came together for a dinner reception that evening, with speeches from EC DG MARE and the EMODnet Secretariat, also recognizing the collective inputs of the Secretariat, EMODnet Coordinators, partners, associated partners and wider experts to the EMODnet Vision 2035.

In March 2017, EMODnet was mandated to create vessel density maps of EU waters showing the average number of vessels of certain type (cargo, passenger, fishing etc.) for a given period within a grid cell. This was a direct result of user demand, following a survey carried out in 2016 by EMODnet Human Activities where vessel density maps were, by far, the most requested geospatial data product. Dive into EMODnet’s Human Activities’ Vessel Density maps to see where ships travel in EU waters and how intensively they use different areas of the sea.

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.

On 24 November 2025, the EMODnet Partner network — comprising 133 organisations from 33 countries — gathered in Brussels for the EMODnet Partner Jamboree meeting, ahead of the EMODnet Open Conference 2025. This biennial community event brought together experts from all of EMODnet’s seven thematics — Biology, Bathymetry, Geology, Seabed Habitats, Chemistry, Physics, Human Activities — and EMODnet’s Data Ingestion service, that included the kick-off meeting of some thematics’ new workplans, cross-thematic exchanges and dedicated discussions. The full partnership came together for a partner dinner reception that evening, with speeches from EC DG MARE and the EMODnet Secretariat, also recognizing the EMODnet Coordinators’, Associated Partners and wider expert inputs to the EMODnet Vision 2035, spearheaded by the Vision Drafting Group.

EMODnet Biology partner ICATMAR (ICM-CSIC) has launched MEDITS-AUT25, the autumn edition of the Mediterranean International Trawl Survey (MEDITS) and its first oceanographic campaign to assess the status of fishery resources in the western Mediterranean during autumn. Conducted aboard the Vizconde de Eza, the 24-day survey will cover GSA 6, from Catalonia to Murcia, following the MEDITS protocol to collect complementary data to spring campaigns. This pioneering initiative will enhance understanding of seasonal changes, with the resulting datasets soon to be made available through EMODnet Biology.

EMODnet's contribution to the global ocean data ecosystem is a pillar of its community Vision 2035. This was further exemplified at the EMODnet Open Conference 2025 where Joanna Post (GOOS and IODE, IOC/UNESCO) and Adam Leadbetter (UN Ocean Decade Coordination Office for Ocean Data Sharing) both spoke about the ongoing contribution of EMODnet to the UN Ocean Decade and global ocean data initiatives, and the opportunity to increase and scale its global contributions and partnerships. EMODnet is also featured in the book Ocean for Life with the EMODnet article produced by the Secretariat, along with contributions from global stakeholders.

The Digital Ocean Forum 2025 showcased the latest EDITO long-term infrastructure of the European Digital Twin Ocean, co-delivered by EMODnet and Copernicus Marine Service. It brought together experts from these two European Union marine data services, the European Commission DG MARE, DEFIS, RTD, ENV, CONNECT and INTPA, European marine projects and the wider community to dive into what EDITO has to offer, and to onboard and expand the development of the European Digital Twin Ocean, together.