The European Marine Observation and Data Network (EMODnet) is an EC marine data service provided by DG MARE, offering pan-European in situ data and products on the marine environment and human activities at sea. EMODnet addresses the fragmentation of European marine data, making it more accessible. As a flagship European Marine Knowledge initiative, EMODnet is vital for scientists, engineers, managers, and policymakers. It supports the improvement of our understanding of the seas, fosters the blue economy, and bolsters European marine and maritime policy, including initiatives like the EU Green Deal and Mission: Restore our Ocean and Waters, among others.
In practice, EMODnet comprises over 120 organizations backed by the EU's Integrated Maritime Policy and European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF). These organizations collaborate to discover, assemble, standardize, and harmonize existing ocean observation data collected across Europe. The data and metadata are processed according to international standards to facilitate integration into pan-European interoperable data layers and products. This service is provided free to the public and includes machine-to-machine capability.
Since 2013, the EMODnet Secretariat has been hosted at the InnovOcean site in Ostend by VLIZ, supported by the Flemish Government. VLIZ accommodates six EMODnet Secretariat staff members and provides IT support. VLIZ also leads the technical development, maintenance, and updates of the EMODnet in situ marine data service. In 2023, EMODnet and VLIZ, through the Central Portal Technical Team, continued to manage the EMODnet Portal. Centralizing the seven thematic disciplines in 2022, the full unification of services was completed in January 2023. This streamlined access to EMODnet data and products, eliminating the need for users to navigate multiple portals.
The EMODnet Portal provides users with access to interoperable marine data and products across seven thematic disciplines. These include bathymetry, geology, biology, chemistry, human activities, seabed habitats, and physics. Users can also find information on EMODnet use cases, regional activities (EMODnet Sea-basin Checkpoints), data services (map viewer, catalogue, ERDDAP, etc.), as well as tools, guidelines, and methodologies. VLIZ manages the ingestion of in situ marine biological data and oversees the creation of related EMODnet data products.
In 2023, VLIZ continued supporting the EMODnet Secretariat by developing content and co-organizing Technical Working Group meetings. VLIZ represented EMODnet at European and international events. Additionally, VLIZ contributed to the third EMODnet Open Conference 2023 as speakers, assisting with promotion and dissemination, and co-authoring the EMODnet Call to Action alongside All EMODnet Coordinators and the Secretariat. The three-day conference and partner Jamboree attracted over 300 participants, showcasing EMODnet achievements, recent developments, partnerships, and examples of user demand spanning various sectors from policy to research, blue economy and wider society.
