Abstract submissions are now open for the Living Data 2025 conference, taking place on 21–24 October 2025 in Bogotá, Colombia. Join the global biodiversity data community to discuss everything from technical advances in data standards to the role of data in science-policy action. Deadline: 20 May 2025.

Find more information: Living Data 2025 - Information that together, transforms 

The 5th International Forum on Big Data for Sustainable Development Goals (FBAS 2025) will take place from 6 to 8 September 2025 in Beijing, bringing together global experts, policymakers, and innovators to explore how big data can drive progress towards the SDGs. The forum will showcase cutting-edge data solutions, foster cross-sector collaboration, and promote the use of science-based evidence in decision-making for a more sustainable future.

Follow the link for more information.

Join EMODnet at the EMD 2025 in Cork, Ireland, from 21-23 May 2025 where EMODnet and EU DTO will be exhibiting, together with other key actors in the European marine and maritime landscape, engaging also in stakeholder workshops and plenary sessions, including continuing the Oceans and Fisheries dialogues that are shaping the European Ocean Pact. Apply now to secure your spot: https://maritime-forum.ec.europa.eu/theme/governance/european-maritime-day_en

Join Europe's maritime community at European Maritime Day (EMD) 2025, taking place from 21–23 May 2025 in Cork, Ireland. This annual event brings together professionals from businesses, governments, public institutions, NGOs, and academia to network, discuss, and outline joint actions on maritime affairs and the sustainable blue economy. Don't miss this opportunity to meet EMODnet and European Digital Twin Ocean experts face-to-face and engage with countless more marine and maritime experts throughout the programme, workshops, exhibitions, and numerous networking opportunities.

Follow the link to register today.

From 13 April to 13 October 2025, the EDITO initiative is being showcased at the prestigious Osaka World Expo, representing Horizon Europe Ocean innovation under the theme “Designing Future Society for Our Lives.” Visitors can interact with an AI-powered avatar that explains the European Digital Twin Ocean (EU DTO)—its purpose, benefits, and applications. The exhibit highlights real-world What-if Scenarios developed by EDITO-Model Lab, including tools to track marine plastic pollution and manage coastal hazards using nature-based solutions. These applications are powered by a shared data infrastructure built by EDITO-Infra, integrating services and data from EMODnet and the Copernicus Marine Service, which can be used for countless societal applications, from supporting sustainable ocean management, to restoring biodiversity, restoring nature and driving climate action.

A new report on an EMODnet Biology Autumn 2024 data school is now out. This exemplifies that whilst EMODnet’s stakeholder engagement and collection of marine biodiversity data continues to expand in collaboration with data providers and other initiatives, the total number of biological occurrence records for the Mediterranean Region remain low compared to other marine regions such as the Atlantic Ocean, North and the Baltic Seas. Concerted action is needed to increase data collection and data sharing efforts in the southern European regional sea basins.

From 11 to 13 March 2025, the National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics-OGS, which coordinates EMODnet Chemistry, was in Monaco to represent the consortium at the workshop on Harmonization of Monitoring and Assessment of Plastic Pollution of the Global Partnership on Plastic Pollution and Marine Litter (GPML) Community of Practise (CoP). At the meeting, participants faced the challenging task of considering and bringing together different communities concerned with plastics in the economy and/or the environment, for example, as well as their best practices and terminologies.

On 25–27 March 2025, over 400 people joined the EMODnet Open Sea Lab 4.0 online, bringing together marine data users, data scientists, developers, and innovators from across Europe and beyond. Their mission: to co-create solutions to real-world ocean and coastal challenges using the EMODnet service and other open-source data. For this edition, participants were also given exclusive access to the full EMODnet and Copernicus Marine Service data collections via the European Digital Twin Ocean cloud-based service, which also offers state-of-the-art analytical tools and modelling capabilities. The two top winning teams will pitch their solutions at European Maritime Day 2025 in Cork, Ireland! This flagship event ended a bumper Marine Knowledge Month following EU Ocean Days 2025 (see news articles below for more information).

The “International Ocean Data Conference – III” is currently accepting abstracts for its upcoming event, scheduled for 10–11 March 2025 in Santa Marta, Colombia. Abstracts should align with the themes listed on the conference website and adhere to the provided submission guidelines. All content must be in English. Presenters will be required to submit a prerecorded video and participate in the Q&A session associated with their presentation, either in person or virtually. Limited financial support is available for presenters from developing countries with accepted papers; individuals should indicate any funding needs during the abstract submission process. All abstracts must be submitted electronically by 24 January 2025 (midnight CET). Additional details can be found at: https://oceandataconference.org

Join the European Ocean Days 2025, taking place from 3-7 March 2025 in Brussels, Belgium, where policymakers, scientists, and stakeholders will gather to advance sustainable ocean management and governance. This flagship event will spotlight the latest strategies and partnerships driving progress in protecting marine ecosystems and fostering a sustainable blue economy. Don’t miss this opportunity to engage in critical discussions shaping the future of our oceans. Learn more: European Ocean Days 2025

Registration for the European Ocean Days 2025 is now closed, but you can still join online! From 3-7 March 2025, policymakers, scientists, and stakeholders will gather in Brussels to advance sustainable ocean management and governance. This flagship event will showcase the latest strategies and partnerships driving marine protection and a sustainable blue economy. Don’t miss your chance to follow key discussions shaping the future of our oceans.

Find out more: Mission Ocean and Waters Forum and related events - European Commission 

Improved knowledge of coastal response to marine processes (resilience) and risk of coastal change (vulnerability) is crucial for coastal management in response to climate change. The new EMODnet Geology coastal resilience/vulnerability data product is a pan-European visualization, at variable scales, derived from a database of > 900 studies. Lower, intermediate and higher levels of coastline resilience/vulnerability are shown, with information on the wide range of methodological approaches used in their assessment indicating that geology and coastline shape (geomorphology) are key factors.

A new data set containing over 67,000 charted, uncharted, wrecks from around the world is now available on EMODnet. The data set is maintained by the UK Hydrographic Office and receives regular quarterly updates.

The 2025 UN Ocean Conference invites Member States, UN entities, Intergovernmental Organizations, and accredited non-governmental stakeholders to organize side events—either in-person or virtually. These events offer a platform to share knowledge, showcase solutions, and accelerate action toward achieving SDG 14: Life Below Water. Side events should align with the conference theme: “Accelerating action and mobilizing all actors to conserve and sustainably use the ocean” and should explore innovative approaches to ocean sustainability.

For more information visit: https://sdgs.un.org/conferences/ocean2025/side-events 

This new product, developed by Deltares in cooperation with the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, identifies areas suitable for reef habitats in the North Sea based on four key species occurrences and environmental variables such as bathymetry, grain size distribution, temperature and salinity.

A detailed map of the seabed and its associated habitats is essential for the sustainable management of our oceans. One of EMODnet Seabed Habitats main products is EUSeaMap, which is a broad-scale habitat map for all European sea basins, as well as the Caribbean. It represents a comprehensive, free and ready-to-use classified map of physical seabed habitats. There is an ongoing requirement to update this map with new and revised input data, in order to improve spatial coverage and resolution, thereby enhancing its usefulness. This storymap illustrates the different phases of EUSeaMap from the first iteration in 2012 to the most recently published version - EUSeaMap 2023.

EMODnet showcased its partnership with Scuba Schools International and the German Foundation (GOF) at BOOT 2025, presenting the joint citizen science initiative which delivers ocean environmental data collected by scuba divers’ dive computers into EMODnet. The partnership was launched one year ago with EC DG MARE and EMODnet Physics, and already has thousands of data submitted to EMODnet, with the projection to include millions of ocean temperature data profiles alone! This year, the EMODnet Secretariat presented on the ‘Love your Ocean’ stage and had a stand together with GOF who also presented EMODnet during the week. BOOT is a world-leading boating and watersports exhibition, held in Düsseldorf, Germany, this year between 18-26 January 2025.

Less than 2 months ago, EMODnet held its fourth Blue Economy workshop, with this edition’s focus on the Ports, Marinas and boating sectors. And now you can read all about it in the workshop report, released this week for public access and download. The event was held online on 22 October 2024, co-organised by EMODnet, EC DG MARE, the European Boating Industry (EIB), TransEurope Marinas and the European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO). The event brought together over 70 experts, including representatives from local and national port authorities, representatives of marinas, boating operators, European networks of these Blue Economy sectors, and wider stakeholders from the public and private sectors, together with EMODnet experts and wider open data specialists. Recommendations include marine data needs from these sectors, current and emerging uses of EMODnet data to support ports, marinas and boating operations and planning, and the value of data sharing, including how EMODnet’s data ingestion can support this process to ensure FAIR data, for the benefit of all.

What do you get if you combine the EMODnet marine data service and the European Digital Twin Ocean (EDITO) platform in a Hackathon? A world-first opportunity to ideate and innovate using Europe’s most comprehensive  in situ  marine data and data products, on the cloud! From 25–27 March 2024, the fourth edition of the EMODnet Open Sea Lab (OSL 4.0) Hackathon will offer exactly that. And, as a free, online event, this hackathon is truly open to all. Registration is now open, just in time for the festive season! Don’t miss this chance to join a community of ocean innovators—register now and turn your data-driven vision into action! Winning teams will receive a variety of prizes. Terms and conditions apply.

How much has the European Union invested in blue careers? Which countries received the most funding to support their sustainable blue economy? Now, there's an easy way to find out! A newly launched project portfolio dashboard and webpage, available on CINEA’s website, provide comprehensive insights into European projects funded under the EMFF (until 2021) and EMFAF. Covering a wide range of blue economy sectors, from fisheries science to coastal tourism, the tool offers a clear and accessible overview of key data, including project lists, country maps, EU contributions, beneficiaries, project summaries, partners, dates, and budgets. Unveiled as part of the #10yearsEMFAF celebrations, this resource showcases the incredible impact of these projects. Visit the dashboard Explore the project portfolio