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

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!

Abstract submissions are now open for the Living Data 2025 conference, taking place on 21–24 October 2025 in Bogotá, Colombia. Join the global biodiversity data community to discuss everything from technical advances in data standards to the role of data in science-policy action. Deadline: 20 May 2025.

Find more information: Living Data 2025 - Information that together, transforms 

Join the European Marine Science Educators Association (EMSEA) from 6–9 October 2025 in Ostend, Belgium, for a special 10th anniversary edition of its annual conference. EMSEA 2025 will celebrate a decade of impact in ocean literacy while bringing together educators, researchers, practitioners, and policymakers to share best practices, innovative tools, and collaborative approaches for shaping the future of ocean education across Europe and beyond.

Learn more and register: https://www.emseanet.eu/conferences/2025-ostend-belgium

Join us online on 18 September 2025, 15:00–16:30 CEST for the official launch of EMODnet Vision 2035 – a forward-looking communication developed by the EMODnet community on opportunities and priority areas for EMODnet service evolution over the next decade. Discover EMODnet’s core assets and key pillars, explore how EMODnet is already making a difference to support policy, science, the Blue Economy and society, and hear directly from the EMODnet Vision Drafting Group representing the EMOD-network and key actors across the EMODnet value chain.

Join EMODnet at the European Marine Science Educators Association (EMSEA) 2025 Annual Conference taking place in Ostend, Belgium, from September 17–19, 2025. Co-organized by EMODnet, VLIZ , the European Global Ocean Observing System (EuroGOOS), and endorsed by the UN Ocean Decade, this year’s conference will bring together a diverse group of educators, researchers, and marine enthusiasts from across Europe to share knowledge, foster collaborations, and inspire the next generation of marine scientists. As one of the co-organisers, EMODnet will aid in offering attendees access to comprehensive marine data and fostering a deeper understanding of our ocean. Join the collective effort in promoting ocean literacy and foster a deeper understanding of our marine environment at the conference by registering with the EMSEA Conference website and stay tuned to the EMODnet newsletter for more information and updates.

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.

On 15 July 2025 EMODnet met with EU Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans Costas Kadis to showcase EMODnet’s flagship Marine Knowledge service. From supporting EU policy implementation to powering the European Digital Twin Ocean, EMODnet is a Marine Knowledge solution across all priority areas of the European Ocean Pact. The delegation representing the EMOD-network were joined by EC DG MARE colleagues. See the highlight above and the EMODnet Portal for more information.

Help shape the future of ocean science by submitting a transformative programme, project, or contribution to the UN Ocean Decade. The latest call is now open, with deadlines on 31 August 2025 (23:59 UTC) for projects and contributions. Proposals should align with the Ocean Decade vision of delivering the science we need for the ocean we want, with a strong focus on sustainability, collaboration, and real-world impact. Submit today: https://oceandecade.org/call-for-decade-actions-09-2025/#:~:text=Part%20II%3A%20Ocean%20Decade%20Projects 

The fourth edition of the Digital Ocean Forum will take place on 27-28 November 2025 in Brussels (Belgium). At this annual flagship event, ocean scientists and modellers, data scientists, researchers, innovators and policymakers will come together once again to take stock of recent developments and explore new opportunities towards the co-construction of the European Digital Twin Ocean, following the success of previous DOF editions and the showcasing of the EU DTO platform at the UN Ocean Conference 2025. Stay tuned for more information and registration details!

Since December 2024, the EMODnet Chemistry team has been hard at work compiling the new data collections for eutrophication– acidity and contaminants. The annual task of updating these data collections is important as the data are used by key agencies such as the European Environment Agency (EEA). We interviewed three data managers from OGS, Italy, Coordinator of EMODnet Chemistry, to find out more, including why this year was even more challenging, yet impactful, and how EEA use these data collections.

A new EMODnet data product, created by EMODnet Biology partner the University of Sheffield, UK, matches the occurrences of macrobenthic (seafloor organisms larger than ->1mm) invertebrate species in European seas to a map of seabed habitat types, as defined in the EMODnet broad-scale seabed habitat map (EUSeaMap) by EMODnet Seabed Habitats. The product uses the standard European Nature Information System (EUNIS) habitat classifications for marine sediments. This allows users to obtain lists of benthic species occurring in different habitat types or discover the different habitat types occupied by each species. A recent EMODnet paper also explains the technical process and challenges of creating marine biological data products.

In the first six months of 2025 alone EMODnet responded to four key EU consultations related to ocean and environmental policy, open data and future EU funding. From the call for evidence to shape the European Ocean Pact to the GreenData4All, and consultations for the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2028-2034 and the European Data Union Strategy, it is clear that EMODnet provides actionable Marine Knowledge that is indispensable and increasingly in demand to underpin ocean and wider environmental policy in the EU including the EU Ocean Observation Initiative, and the European Digital Twin of the Ocean, to name a few!

On 15 July 2025 EMODnet met with EU Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans Costas Kadis to showcase EMODnet’s flagship Marine Knowledge service. From supporting EU policy implementation to powering the European Digital Twin Ocean, EMODnet is a Marine Knowledge solution across all priority areas of the European Ocean Pact. These include assessing and restoring ocean health to boosting competitiveness in the blue economy, driving maritime innovation and underpinning ocean diplomacy and governance.

EMODnet is a long-established Implementing Partner for the UN Ocean Decade, working closely with other European key actors, other regional initiatives worldwide. At UNOC 3 EMODnet collaborated with the UN Ocean decade Coordination Office for Ocean Data Sharing (DCO ODS) in a session on regional marine data services and their key role in transforming primary data into FAIR data, open to all.

Explore the new and improved Introduction to Sustainability in Marinas platform. This resource guides you through socially and environmentally responsible marina management. It showcases the collective expertise of specialists in the sustainable marina sector, including EMODnet's role in providing open data and stimulating sustainable decision making within the marine sector.

The minutes of the EMODnet 22nd Steering Committee meeting that took place in May 2025 are now available on the Maritime Forum, offering valuable insights into EMODnet’s latest discussions, decisions, and strategic directions. Read more: https://maritime-forum.ec.europa.eu/22nd-emodnet-spring-2025-steering-committee-meeting-minutes-and-presentations_en

In 2024, EMODnet reinforced its status as a trusted European resource for marine data and knowledge. Following the successful launch of its upgraded portal in January 2023, EMODnet attracted over 120,000 annual visitors who benefited from streamlined access to extensive cross-thematic datasets. The newly published EMODnet 2024 Annual Report offers a detailed overview of the year's key achievements, user metrics, and essential facts and figures. It includes updates on thematic services, expanded geographic and temporal coverage, new parameters and data products, EMODnet's contributions to the European Digital Twin Ocean, broader EU and global partnerships, EMODnet's pivotal role in the European Atlas of the Seas communication tool, and much more. Read the full report.

The fourth edition of EMODnet's hackathon, Open Sea Lab (OSL) 4.0, took place virtually from 25-27 March 2025. This event brought together data scientists, software developers, social innovators, researchers and storytellers from across Europe and beyond to tackle pressing ocean challenges. Check out the Hackathon report and post-event video to learn about the activities and outcomes of the three-day hackathon.