Calewaert, J.-B.

Martín-Míguez, B.

McMeel, O.

Souza Dias, F.

Open Marine Archive

- 54 - 
 
From marine observations to user applications: The role of the 
European Marine Observation and data network (EMODnet) in marine 
knowledge transfer  
McMeel Oonagh1, Belén Martín Míguez1, Francisco Souza Dias2 and Jan-Bart Calewaert1 
1 Seascape Consultants, EMODnet Secretariat, European Marine Observation and Data Network 
EMODnet), Wandelaarkaai 7, Pakhuis 68, 8400 Oostende, Belgium 
 E-mail: oonagh.mcmeel@emodnet.eu  
2 Flanders Marine Institute VLIZ, InnovOcean site, Wandelaarkaai 7, 8400 Oostende, Belgium 
 
The continued safe and sustainable exploitation of European marine resources to support societal 
needs requires an in-depth knowledge of our seas and oceans, their state and conditions, their 
variability and their vulnerabilities. Marine knowledge is developed, largely, through monitoring and 
observation of our seas and oceans. These observation and monitoring activities generate raw data 
which can be assembled and contextualized to create data products and information. Ultimately, these 
information products are essential   to improve our understanding of the marine environment and the 
extent and impact of human activities therein.  
 
However, data from marine observation and monitoring activities can only contribute to the creation 
and application of marine knowledge if they can be found, accessed and applied by users. A recent 
report on the ‘State of Europe’s Seas’ by the European Environment Agency1 (EEA) highlighted the lack 
of data on the marine environment as being a major obstacle to achieving the objectives of the EU’s 
Blue Growth Strategy2. This strategy recognizes the potential of Europe’s wealth of marine 
observations to strengthen the growth of a sustainable marine and maritime economy. 
 
EMODnet is the key implementation mechanism of the EU Marine Knowledge 2020 strategy. Based on 
the principle of collecting data once and using it many times for many reasons, EMODnet’s key 
objective is make available pre-collected marine observation data and data-products free and without 
restrictions on use for multiple actors from multiple sectors. EMODnet represents a network of 160 
organisations, working together to collate and provide access to marine data and products, all of which 
are accessible via a single access point, the EMODnet Central Portal (www.emodnet.eu). 
EMODnet sits in a complex marine observation and information landscape, with many potentially 
overlapping initiatives at local, national and regional level, together with over-arching European portals 
and repositories including; COPERNICUS Marine Environment and Monitoring Service (CMEMS)3, 
SeaDataNet4, PANGAEA5 and the European Atlas of the Seas6.  
 
Despite the abundance of initiatives, data portals and repositories are still largely unknown and 
underexploited by a vast range of actors who rely on marine knowledge during all stages of their 
activities, from planning to operation. Significant efforts are still required to better communicate the 
existence of these initiatives and the benefits of using already existing data resources. 
 
Through an interactive session exploring the EMODnet portals, participants will be invited to consider 
how well EMODnet currently communicates the resources that it makes available to potential users 
from policy, industry, science and civil society. What are the key factors for success in engaging with 
users by means of a data porta; a central tool to communicate between marine data providers and 
users? The bottlenecks to effective uptake of data and data-products by users will also be examined 
through flash-presentations of specific use-cases. This interactive session will raise the visibility of 
EMODnet to workshop participants and highlight how it may be able to support their own work. 
Ultimately feedback from participants will support EMODnet in developing more effective 
communication and knowledge transfer mechanisms. 
 
References 
1 EEA Report 2/2015 European Environment Agency Report 2 /2015 State of Europe‘s Seas. 
http://www.eea.europa.eu/media/publications/state-of-europes-seas  
2 COM (2012)495 Final. Blue Growth – Opportunities for marine and maritime sustainable growth.  
3 http://www.copernicus.eu/main/marine-monitoring  
4 http://www.seadatanet.org/ 
5 https://www.pangaea.de/ 
6 http://ec.europa.eu/maritimeaffairs/atlas/maritime_atlas/  
  


From marine observations to user applications: The role of the European Marine Observation and Data Network (EMODnet) in marine knowledge transfer

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