Overview   Data

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 European Commission has launched a call for evidence in support of the ongoing review of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD). This consultation invites input from stakeholders including scientists, public authorities, industry, NGOs, and citizens to help assess the effectiveness of the MSFD, identify challenges, and shape options for potential revision to better protect marine ecosystems and support sustainable use. The Call is open until 9 March 2026. Find out more: https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/16093-Marine-environment-protection-revision-of-EU-rules_en

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.

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

The Horizon Europe–funded eDNAqua-Plan project is developing a Technical Blueprint and Roadmap to move from a fragmented eDNA data landscape towards a more harmonised and interoperable system based on FAIR data principles. This work will ultimately strengthen the flow of eDNA-based biodiversity data into EMODnet, EurOBIS, and global infrastructures. Stakeholders are invited to take part in a survey to provide feedback on proposed recommendations covering the full eDNA data lifecycle, from sampling to publishing. Survey responses will directly inform the final eDNAqua-Plan Technical Blueprint and Roadmap. Deadline to respond: 12 February 2025. The survey can be accessed through this link: https://ec.europa.eu/eusurvey/runner/49a3c51a-d6b0-eb16-23c5-2122525521d1

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.

EMODnet presented at a webinar called ‘The FAIR Basics: A Guide for Decade Actions’ organised by the UN Ocean Decade Coordination Office for Ocean Data Sharing, with a presentation by EMODnet Technical Coordinator, Conor Delaney The session highlighted EMODnet’s role as the in situ data service for the European Digital Twin Ocean (EDITO) and explored why FAIR data principles—particularly Accessibility—are critical for the marine data community and for enabling effective science-policy and digital ocean applications.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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 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 campaign will fill data gaps and will enhance understanding of seasonal changes, with the resulting datasets soon to be made available through EMODnet Biology.