European Marine Observation and Data Network | EMODnet

Key outputs of the EMODnet Geology last phase (centralisation contract that ended in late September 2023) include completely new as well as updated data products, produced with data collected over the past two years, and now uploaded on the EMODnet Portal. The greatest extension in areal coverage was gained with a new seabed substrate map added for the Caribbean Sea. This new map covers some 2.700.000 km2, in practice the whole Caribbean Sea. Also, a completely new data product on seabed erosion was added to the portal, that includes available seabed erosion studies and related background information.

The Consortium of 16 partners, responsible for the development of EMODnet Chemistry, has been confirmed by the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency to continue its work until 2 October 2025. The consolidated management structure and the most important goals for the next two years were illustrated during the project full group meeting, which took place in Brussels during the EMODnet Jamboree and Open Conference 2023.The consolidated management structure and the most important goals for the next two years were illustrated during the project full group meeting, which took place in Brussels during the EMODnet Jamboree and Open Conference 2023. To dive into EMODnet Chemistry data and data products and for more information, visit the EMODnet portal

The latest version of the maps visualising the spatial and temporal distribution of marine litter are now available on the EMODnet map viewer. The new version contains for the first time 16 maps for floating microlitter in all European sea basins and beyond. These data products are based on the latest data collections published in 2023, as described in a recent EMODnet news article.

In addition to the EMODnet Conference and Jamboree 2023, EMODnet Physics has been busy attending external events in Q4 of 2023. At Festival della Scienza, there were two interesting contributions: the talk “OceanBigData” and the collaboration at OGS Lab Quando la scienza dà i numeri - L’impatto dei dati scientifici, giusti e sbagliati. The keynote “Seas of Data: EMODnet commitment” was held at REMEDIES cluster meeting. Finally, a lecture was given at the IOI at University of Malta on EMODnet utility and functionality for managers and policy makers.

EMODnet Biology continuously provides free and open access to marine biodiversity data. The last data publication of 2023 has been completed and EMODnet Biology looks forward to continue collaborations with existing European research infrastructures e.g., EMBRC, LifeWatch, networks, Horizon Europe projects working on the marine biodiversity data pipeline e.g., DTO-Bioflow and MARCO-BOLO and initiatives to make more existing and historical marine biodiversity data available into the future.

EMODnet Biology was invited to provide expert input to a G7 Future of the Seas and Oceans Initiative (FSOI) workshop in September 2023 (work ongoing) entitled “Towards a global marine plankton observing network: development of a strategy and implementation plan”. The main tasks were in Goal 2: “Unlocking plankton data: enhancing interoperability and fairness for comprehensive plankton data analysis, ecological understanding, and forecasting “, and EMODnet Biology led a discussion on the interoperability between dataspaces.

We are thrilled to announce and welcome three new Associated Partners to EMODnet, each bringing unique expertise and a strong commitment to advancing collaboration with EMODnet in the areas of data sharing, best practices in marine data, information technology and data services, and expanding the users of EMODnet, including for the Blue Economy.

Following the presentations on the EU Atlas of the Seas as part of the EMODnet Open Conference 2023, the EU Atlas and EMODnet team now extend an invitation to the wider public to visit the Atlas room in the EMODnet Virtual Exhibition has been posted on the EC Maritime Forum. Visitors can learn about the latest developments of the Atlas, watch a video tutorial on the My Maps tool and access quizzes and games. In December, three ‘Maps of the Week’ were published on the Maritime Forum and the EMODnet website: ‘European Union Mission Restore our Ocean and Waters’, ‘Climate change and global mean sea level regional trend’ and the ‘Network of European Blue Schools’.

EMODnet has signed the COP 28 Ocean Declaration which calls upon the international community for more sustained ocean observation and marine knowledge for “the science we need for the ocean we want”. EMODnet partners Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ, Belgium), Ifremer (France) are also amongst the signatories, together with EuroGOOS, EMB, POGO and others. The COP 28 Declaration is in-line with the EMODnet Call to Action released on 30th November 2023 that calls for sustainable and appropriate funding for EMODnet and the wider marine knowledge value chain. EMODnet experts from the EMODnet Steering Committee also contributed to a series of workshops and reports by the UN Global Compact on offshore renewable energy and maritime spatial planning. The final outcomes were presented on 4 December 2023 at a COP28 hybrid event “The role of Industry in the Ocean Decade Data Enterprise” with panelists from UN Global Compact Ocean Stewardship Coalition, the UN OD Coordination Office for Data Sharing, FUGRO, Van Oord and more.

The UN Ocean Decade Data Coordination Group is developing a Data and Information Strategy. They are now calling for stakeholder feedback to shape the strategy to achieve 'the science we need for the ocean we want.' Follow the link below to submit your input.

The Digital Twins of The Ocean (DITTO) program invites experts to contribute to a groundbreaking initiative integrating marine and satellite data with AI and high-performance computing. Help create sustainable ocean solutions and drive innovative digital twinning projects. Apply now to be part of a diverse team transforming our understanding and management of the oceans. Deadline: 15 January 2024

During the EMODnet Open Conference 2023, Kate Larkin, Head of the EMODnet Secretariat, recorded a podcast for the Nippon Foundation & GEBCO Seabed 2030 initiative. She spoke about the objectives and operations of EMODnet, and EMODnet’s offer of high resolution pan-European bathymetric data and data products e.g., Digital Terrain models, for global users. EMODnet is an active contributor to contribution to Seabed 2030, and also works with the private sector e.g., Fugro to increase data sharing. The podcast was produced by Steve Hall, Head of Partnerships for Seabed 2030, and colleagues. Tune into the podcast, interview #2 to find out more!

Save the Date for our upcoming webinar designed to help guide EU Mission: Restore our Ocean and Waters and Horizon Europe projects to harmonise and submit their data to EMODnet. The webinar will take place online on 28 February 2024, 11am-12:30pm CET. Join in the dialogue with EMODnet experts on how to optimise your project output. More information and registration to follow soon in January 2024!

Organised for the first time in 2024, European Ocean Days 4-8 March 2024 will be a week of events related to European maritime topics. It will include the EU Mission Ocean and Waters Forum, events on future priorities for Europe’s Seas, BlueInvest bringing together blue innovators and investors as well as ocean literacy activities and more. EMODnet will be there. Will you? Follow the link below for more information and registration.

The European Maritime Day (EMD) 2024 will be a fully-fledged physical event, in Svendborg, Denmark on 30-31 May 2024. Registration will open soon. In the meantime, you can already apply for “EMD In My Country 2024 events” which will also take place all over Europe from 1 April till 31 October 2024. Are you ready to submit your event(s) for 2024? Fill in the online application form before 29 February 2024 and bring European Maritime Day 2024 to your country!

The “Ecopath 40 years – The Ecosystem Continuum: From knowledge to decisions” conference and workshops will be held in Ostend, Belgium from 3-8 June 2024. The conference will showcase four decades of progress of using the Ecopath with Ecosim (EwE) approach in different fields: e.g., fisheries management, marine conservation, ecosystem dynamics, climate impacts, and ecosystem-based management (EBM), as well as introduce new facilities for the approach.

The European Commission, in collaboration with the European Investment Bank (EIB), is launching the new pilot scheme ‘EU Blue Champions’. It will be supported by the BlueInvest platform. Through this new initiative, the EIB Advisory Services, in collaboration with the EIB Projects Directorate, will provide financial advisory to selected projects in the blue economy.

The European Geosciences Union (EGU) General Assembly 2024 is calling for abstract submissions by 10 January. EMODnet is planning a number of submissions to this edition of EGU, and it would be great to see EMODnet partners, associated partners and wider stakeholders there.

The European Ocean Observing System Technology Forum will take place in Excel, London, on 13 March 2024. The organisers are calling stakeholders to register their interest online.

The primary goal of the MARTECH Workshop is to exchange knowledge and perspectives on advanced research in various domains of marine technology through diverse categories. This includes a workshop on Seafloor observatories and sensor networks, co-organized by EMODnet Physics. You can find all information on pre-registration and the extended deadline for abstract submissions, now due by January 15th on the workshop website by clicking on the link below.

The EMODnet EC marine data service thanks all of its partners, associated partners and wider stakeholders for a productive and exciting 2023. We look forward to further collaboration in 2024. And in the meantime, Happy Holidays and ocean wishes for the New Year!