Overview   Seabed Habitats

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.

ECSA 61: Bridging the Gap Between Science and Policy in Estuarine and Coastal Marine Biodiversity: The Way Forward, took place in Brussels from 24–27 August. Both EMODnet Seabed Habitats and Biology presented a poster showcasing ‘EMODnet as a Resource for Marine Biodiversity Research and Policy: Data, Products and Benefits for the Scientific Community’.

EMODnet Seabed Habitats joined the international marine benthic habitat mapping community at GEOHAB 2026 (11–14 May, University of Malta, Valletta), presenting a poster on how EMODnet Seabed Habitats products have been developed to inform EU and international policy. The event brought together leading experts in geophysics and habitat mapping, providing a valuable opportunity to showcase EMODnet's contribution to evidence-based marine management at global scale.

In 2025, as part of EMODnet Seabed Habitats Phase 5, an updated version of the Seabed Habitats flagship product EUSeaMap was published. Since 2023, this has extended to the Caribbean Region. Progress on the CaribbeanSeaMap has been constrained by access to data and limited stakeholder engagement, affecting data discovery and integration. To address this, EMODnet Seabed Habitats delivered a workshop in Anguilla (22–24 April 2026) bringing together researchers, regional authorities and international organisations, to advance collaboration in seabed mapping. The event highlighted ongoing EMODnet activities, showcased regional initiatives, and enabled knowledge exchange, with strong engagement during discussions on marine spatial planning and governance. Continued workshops are planned in future phases to support further development of EMODnet activities in the region.

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.

EMODnet Seabed Habitats (ESH) is organising a three-day workshop in Anguilla (22–24 April 2026). It will facilitate engagement with regional stakeholders and actors in seabed mapping in the Caribbean region, building on existing partnerships. The workshop will provide an overview of ESH work, explore regional habitat mapping efforts, and create space for exchange to ensure EMODnet activities effectively address regional needs.

EMODnet Seabed Habitats (ESH) is organising a three-day workshop in Anguilla (22–24 April 2026). It will facilitate engagement with regional stakeholders and actors in seabed mapping in the Caribbean region, building on existing partnerships. The workshop will provide an overview of ESH work, explore regional habitat mapping efforts, and create space for exchange to ensure EMODnet activities effectively address regional needs.

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 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.

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?

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!

EMODnet's Seabed Habitat Consortium recently started a 2-year extension to Phase 5 which will run until mid- 2027. This phase builds on the existing data libraries and products hosted on the EMODnet Portal and will also see the latest launch of the EUSeaMap (2025 version of the long-standing broad-scale habitat map for all European sea basins) which has been further improved during Phase 5 (2023-2025) with new and revised input data.