Overview   Biology

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.

EMODnet Biology will organise a three-day Data Management training workshop for Black Sea data providers from 28 to 30 October 2026 in Constanța, Romania. The course will focus on preparing and standardising marine biological datasets using Darwin Core, supporting their publication in EMODnet Biology. Researchers and data managers are invited to bring their own datasets and contribute to improving data availability for the Black Sea region.

A new suite of four R tutorials helps users access and analyse EMODnet geospatial data. Built around the EMODnet R packages, the tutorials guide users through data discovery, retrieval and integration workflows using OGC Web Feature Services (WFS) and Web Coverage Services (WCS) for both vector and raster data. Practical examples show how EMODnet datasets can be combined with external sources, while an introductory tutorial explains key geospatial concepts and supports reproducible workflows.

The multiple events in Cyprus in May 2026 enabled closer dialogue with National Cypriot stakeholders. These included the three Cypriot partner organisations CMMI, Cyprus Geological Survey and ORION, and extending stakeholder engagement, including with the Blue Economy and ocean observation technology companies. CMMI is currently a partner in EMODnet Biology. Cyprus Geological Survey Department is a partner in bathymetry, providing crucial National bathymetry data into the European bathymetry data layer, digital terrain model etc.

On 18–19 March 2026, the EMODnet Technical Working Group (TWG) held its 19th meeting online, alongside the inaugural meeting of the EMODnet Task Force. Thematic coordinators presented the latest updates from their respective thematic areas, with agenda items including updates on the EMODnet Map Viewer, OGC Service Monitoring, progress monitoring, and metadata developments. The first meeting of the newly established EMODnet Task Force also took place during this session, marking an important step in the evolving governance structure of EMODnet.

The minutes and presentations of the 19th EMODnet TWG and 1st Task Force meeting are published on the EC Maritime Forum.

May 2026 marked an impactful month for EMODnet, with active participation in multiple marine and maritime events in Cyprus marking the nation’s presidency of the Council of the European Union. These included the Riding the Wave event, co-organised by EMODnet partner CMMI on  the European Ocean Research and Innovation Agenda, the EuroGOOS 11th International Conference and European Maritime Days 2026 where EMODnet held dialogues with Commissioner Costas Kadis, highlighting EMODnet’s role for EDITO, OceanEye and the Ocean Act, and engaged with stakeholders from research, policy and the Blue Economy, including  ocean observation technology companies.

The European Maritime Day 2026 will take place 21-22 May in Limassol, Cyprus, bringing together Europe’s maritime community to highlight the breadth of sea-related activities and the vital role oceans play in our daily lives. Organised by the European Commission and Cypriot partners, the event offers a vibrant platform for Ocean leaders in private, policy, academic and society sectors to connect, share insights and shape joint action for sustainable Blue Economy.

Joana Beja, Senior Scientific Data Officer at VLIZ and Coordinator of EMODnet Biology, has joined the External Expert Advisory Board of the Biodiversity Meets Data (BMD) project. Her expertise in marine biodiversity data and the European data landscape will support the development of the Biodiversity Explorer—a centralised platform combining advanced monitoring, AI-driven taxonomic identification, and integrated environmental data. This collaboration reinforces synergies across terrestrial, freshwater, and marine domains, helping turn biodiversity data into actionable insights for policy and conservation.

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.

A diverse delegation of EMODnet experts attended the Ocean Sciences Meeting 2026 between 23-27 February in Glasgow, with presentations and inputs spanning the Central Portal, thematics, data ingestion, and the Secretariat. Topics spanned ocean observations to data and users, from EMODnet's central role as a regional (European) ocean data service for the UN Ocean Decade to the latest thematic innovations in marine data and data products and EMODnet's pivotal role in shaping a resilient, interoperable and operational European and global ocean data ecosystem.

EMODnet’s Biology experts, in collaboration with MedOBIS, have advanced open data and actionable information on seafloor (benthic) biodiversity in the Mediterranean Sea. The dataset and related publication focus on “Bathymetric distribution and temporal trends of macrobenthic communities of the continental shelf of Heraklion Bay (Crete-Greece)”, filling crucial gaps in existing knowledge for the Mediterranean Sea which is characterised as a hot spot of biodiversity and climate change impacts on its biota.

EMODnet thematic Coordinators from Syke, Finalnd (Seabed Habitats) and VLIZ, Belgium (Biology) are directly contributing to a new European Biodiversity Observation Coordination Centre (EBOCC) project which officially launched on 1 January 2026, holding its kick-off meeting on 11 February 2026. In the project, EMODnet will build on existing collaborations with the (marine and coastal) biodiversity observation and data actors, towards strengthened coordination also across domains, including beyond marine.

The European Commission has launched a call for evidence to inform the development of the European Ocean Act, a key part of the European Ocean Pact aimed at strengthening maritime governance across the EU, improving coherence between policies, and structuring the coordination of marine observation systems and sustainable ocean use. Stakeholders from public authorities, science, industry, and civil society are invited to contribute insights to shape the early stages of this legislative initiative. The Call is open until 9 February 2026. Find out more: https://oceans-and-fisheries.ec.europa.eu/news/commission-seeks-feedback-eu-ocean-policy-2026-01-12_en

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.

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!

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.

eDNA Expeditions Phase II, led by the Ocean Biodiversity Information System (OBIS), will use environmental DNA to build a global biomolecular observatory for marine life, combining locally led sampling with globally coordinated analysis from 2026 to 2028. With site recruitment now open, the initiative invites marine protected areas and ecologically significant sites worldwide to contribute data that will be republished through EMODnet Biology, supporting both local management and global ocean knowledge.

On 20 January 2026, the ASTRA project team held an online working meeting to coordinate upcoming actions towards delivering new Black Sea biodiversity data to EMODnet Biology. Discussions focused on aligning data workflows and harmonisation steps to support the integration and publication of these datasets soon.

In 2026, EMODnet will continue producing technical blogs each quarter, building on the topics of Portal services, data and data product development, and more. If you have a burning (technical EMODnet) question or topics you would like to address, let us know via the EMODnet Helpdesk (helpdesk[at]emodnet.ec.europa.eu).

Experience the highlights of the EMODnet Open Conference 2025 where over 300 marine data experts and wider stakeholders gathered in Brussels (connecting with more than 400 online) to showcase EMODnet’s pivotal role in Europe’s marine knowledge, innovation, and ocean sustainability and to exchange on the latest innovations in marine data and how EMODnet should evolve its service over the next decade and beyond, in the context of the EMODnet community Vision 2035. Watch the Conference video for a snapshot and don’t forget to check out the plenary recordings to re-live the panels, insights, and momentum of this EMODnet for European Ocean Pact flagship event!