European Marine Observation and Data Network

The European Marine Observation and Data Network (EMODnet) is a web portal that brings together marine data, data products and metadata from diverse sources within Europe in a uniform way. It was initiated by the European Commission in response to the EU Green Paper on Future Maritime Policy,[1] launched in June 2006. The main purpose of EMODnet is to unlock fragmented and hidden marine data resources and to make these available to individuals and organisations without restriction, except in special cases. The primary motivation for EMODnet is to stimulate investment in sustainable coastal and offshore activities through improved access to quality-assured, standardised and harmonised marine data.[2]

Once fully operational, the EMODnet web portal will provide access to various sub-portals, each of which pertains to a specific thematic group, with some overlap. The thematic groups allow the appropriate experts to define a common structure for the data within each theme, thus ensuring interoperability. Presently, there are seven sub-portals under construction: the Hydrography Portal, the Geology Portal, the Physical Parameters Portal, the Chemical Portal, the Biological Data Portal, the Physical Habitats Portal, and the Human Activities Portal. The result will be a portfolio of seamless data layers across European and adjacent sea basins. Individuals and organisations are encouraged to contribute data on a voluntary basis to ensure that the system remains current.

EMODnet Development

The EMODnet web portal is currently under development by the European Commission. The process for developing EMODnet is a consultative one, with feedback sought from all user groups during all three phases of construction.

Phase I

The portals are presently operational, delivered during phase I of EMODnet development by a network of 53 organisations. Their progress was guided and monitored by an independent group of experts, in addition to the European Commission services and the European Environment Agency. An interim evaluation has since confirmed the soundness of the approach, recommending advancement to phase II of EMODnet development.[3]

The operation of the portals is largely intuitive, each one granting access to data archives managed by EU Member States and international organisations. This complements ongoing efforts by Member States to ensure proper stewardship of data in accordance with the INSPIRE[4] directive. Via the portals, public and private users of marine data can access standardised observations and data quality indicators, as well as data products, from a limited number of sea basins.

Phase II

Phase II of EMODnet development involved generating medium-resolution maps of all of Europe's seas and oceans for each of the seven thematic groups (including the Human Activities portal) by 2014. A total of 112 organisations contributed, some with cross-cutting interests. A secretariat was appointed to oversee the development of the EMODnet portal, bringing together all seven thematic groups so that they are accessible from a common gateway.

Phase III

Phase III of EMODnet development is currently underway, having commenced in 2015. This will involve the production of multi-resolution sea basin maps.

References
  1. European Commission Green Paper - Towards a future Maritime Policy for the Union: a European vision for the oceans and seas
  2. European Marine Observation and Data Network impact assessment, European Commission
  3. Interim evaluation of the European Marine Observation and Data Network, European Commission
  4. Infrastructure for Spatial Information in the European Community directive, European Commission

Thematic Portals


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