Overview   Chemistry

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.

In July 2026 in Vienna, EMODnet Chemistry celebrated the launch by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) of a common platform for collecting data on global plastics monitoring. The evidence-based information on the abundance and impact of marine plastic pollution will also contribute to the Global Partnership on Marine Litter, a multi-stakeholder initiative led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), bringing together all actors working on the prevention and reduction of marine litter and plastic pollution. EMODnet Chemistry's experience in marine litter data management supports both IAEA’s and UNEP’s initiatives.

A newly published paper in Frontiers in Ocean Sustainability presents the multi-level quality control framework developed within EMODnet Chemistry to validate eutrophication-related data (nutrients, chlorophyll and oxygen) across European seas. The paper describes how data originators, data managers and regional coordinators apply three successive levels of quality control, combining automated checks with expert validation, to produce harmonised, FAIR-compliant datasets that support policies such as the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD).

EMODnet Chemistry represented the data service at a meeting of MARLICE, an international forum on Marine Litter and the Circular Economy in June 2026 in Tenerife, Canary Islands, to share the project’s experience in managing marine litter data in Europe and beyond. The MARLICE international forum brought together scientists, data stewards, ICT experts, and policy-makers to address marine litter pollution by leveraging evidence-based knowledge and cutting-edge technologies.

EMODnet experts were on the ground in force at the EGU 2026 General Assembly in Vienna (3–8 May), with presentations spanning Geology, Chemistry, Bathymetry thematics and with experts from EMODnet’s Central Portal and Secretariat also showcasing EMODnet’s latest contributions to the EDITO booth showcasing the capabilities of Europe's Digital Twin Ocean.

Within the framework of the UNESCO initiative ‘Global Ocean Oxygen Database and ATlas (GO2DAT)’, EMODnet Chemistry best practices, available in the UNESCO repository EMODnet Chemistry Community Practices, were used to produce the paper Ocean oxygen data: how to measure, how to manage? by Garçon et al. The paper itself represents best practice and serves as an inventory of the most important best practices for building the UNESCO Global System of Ocean Oxygen Data. Since 2019, participants in GO2DAT, including EMODnet Chemistry, have coordinated the implementation of the System, which aims to federate ocean oxygen data sources and ensure harmonised access, discovery, and processing capabilities.

The full EMODnet Chemistry partnership convened on 28-29 April in Trieste, Italy, for the second edition of the training course for data providers. Experienced data stewards explained to new staff members of institutions with contractual obligations to provide data to EMODnet Chemistry how to ensure compliance with project standards and procedures using specific tools and guidelines. The first edition was organised in 2024, and its success motivated the EMODnet Chemistry coordinators to confirm this activity as an important deliverable of the current project phase.

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.

Featured in the latest EMODnet Chemistry report, the scientific article, “An overview of the ocean data ecosystem”, highlights the contribution of EMODnet’s Chemistry thematic as a key component of the wider EMODnet service, central to the ocean data ecosystem.

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.

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 Chemistry has completed phase five and started the new phase. The Coordinator, OGS, Italy, notes they are honoured by the EMODnet (Chemistry) community’s steadfast support, which have made the exciting 2025 highlights and over 15 years of work possible. Since 2009, the core network of EMODnet Chemistry has improved the wealth of EMODnet services for accessing data on eutrophication, ocean acidification, contaminants, and marine litter. Over the years, the volume of data from various providers, including universities, research institutes, and citizen science initiatives, has increased, as has the number of users, mainly scientists and policymakers who require big, reliable data to determine how best to address the environmental crisis. Find out more about the cornerstone achievements of EMODnet’s Chemistry thematic in 2025 and the plans ahead.

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!

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?