On 23 April, the European Commission launched a public consultation to help shape the European Ocean Act, following an earlier call for evidence in January 2026. Open until 16 July, this questionnaire invites stakeholders to share their views, including those from public authorities and administrations, experts, citizens, and coastal communities. Find out more
The European Digital Twin Ocean was showcased at European Maritime Day (EMD) on 21-22 May 2026 in Cyprus, where EMODnet Secretariat (Seascape Belgium) and Central Portal host and Biology thematic lead (VLIZ) joined Mercator Ocean International in presenting an exhibition booth of the integrated EU digital ocean data service offer. This followed the success of EDITO's presence at EGU in April 2026.
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.
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 contributed to the “Marine Data for MSP 2026” workshop in Brussels, organised by Mercator Ocean International. The event highlighted how EMODnet, the Copernicus Marine Service and EDITO support Maritime Spatial Planning through open and reliable ocean data for evidence-based decision-making. Nathalie Tonné (EMODnet Project Manager) presented how EMODnet tools and services support the MSP community, including access to harmonised marine data across themes and its use for planning and analysis.
The UN Ocean Decade Citizen Science Data Sharing Guidelines have been released, developed with strong community input and with EMODnet contributing in an advisory capacity. As marine citizen science becomes a cornerstone of Europe’s marine knowledge landscape, these guidelines provide essential foundations for sharing high-quality, interoperable data. EMODnet already supports citizen science by responding to community data needs and integrating citizen-generated observations across its services to strengthen European marine data products. Looking ahead, EMODnet aims to become Europe’s hub for non-traditional data producers, as set out in the EMODnet Vision 2035, making these guidelines a key building block for a more inclusive and participatory ocean knowledge ecosystem. Click below and explore the guidelines.
Following its February 2026 Working Group meeting in Rome, Italy EMODnet Geology is advancing the next phase of its Submerged Landscapes initiative, which now brings together a growing pan-European inventory of more than 40,000 mapped features, including archaeological sites, palaeocoastlines, submerged forests and glacial landforms and more. EMODnet’s harmonised, interoperable offer for submerged landscapes is already used to support evidence-based planning, protection of underwater cultural heritage and cross-border geological assessments.
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.
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).
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 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.
In March 2017, EMODnet was mandated to create vessel density maps of EU waters showing the average number of vessels of certain type (cargo, passenger, fishing etc.) for a given period within a grid cell. This was a direct result of user demand, following a survey carried out in 2016 by EMODnet Human Activities where vessel density maps were, by far, the most requested geospatial data product. Dive into EMODnet’s Human Activities’ Vessel Density maps to see where ships travel in EU waters and how intensively they use different areas of the sea.
On 24 November 2025, the EMODnet Partner network — comprising 133 organisations from 33 countries — gathered in Brussels for the EMODnet Partner Jamboree meeting, ahead of the EMODnet Open Conference 2025. This community event brought together experts from EMODnet’s seven thematics — Biology, Bathymetry, Geology, Seabed Habitats, Chemistry, Physics, Human Activities — EMODnet Data Ingestion, Central Portal and Secretariat. The partner meetings included kick-off meeting of some thematics’ new workplans, cross-thematic exchanges and dedicated discussions. The full partnership came together for a dinner reception that evening, with speeches from EC DG MARE and the EMODnet Secretariat, also recognizing the collective inputs of the Secretariat, EMODnet Coordinators, partners, associated partners and wider experts to the EMODnet Vision 2035.
In March 2017, EMODnet was mandated to create vessel density maps of EU waters showing the average number of vessels of certain type (cargo, passenger, fishing etc.) for a given period within a grid cell. This was a direct result of user demand, following a survey carried out in 2016 by EMODnet Human Activities where vessel density maps were, by far, the most requested geospatial data product. Dive into EMODnet’s Human Activities’ Vessel Density maps to see where ships travel in EU waters and how intensively they use different areas of the sea.
EMODnet is delighted to share further highlights from its recent Open Conference (OC) 2025, held on 25–26 November 2025 in Brussels, Belgium, including plenary recordings, presentations, photos and more. The OC brought together more than 450 participants from 33 countries on-site and online. As the European Union’s in situ marine data service, EMODnet showcased its essential role in delivering actionable marine data and knowledge for the European Ocean Pact the EU Ocean Observation Initiative and the European Digital Twin Ocean. The event also launched the EMODnet Vision 2035, a community roadmap for EMODnet’s service evolution over the next decade.
