EMODnet

EMODnet stands for European Marine Observation and Data Network, an initiative led by the European Commission to assemble marine data from EU member states and associated states and to make it openly accessible. The goal is to support science, policy, and industry by providing reliable, interoperable data and products about Europe’s seas and oceans.

The network brings together national data infrastructures, research institutes, and public authorities. It operates a common data portal and a series of thematic portals that cover bathymetry, geology, seabed habitats, chemistry, physics, and biology. Through these portals, users can discover, access, and download data and digital map products such as seabed elevations, seafloor substrates, and environmental parameters.

Data are interoperable through common standards and metadata, enabling cross-border analyses. EMODnet emphasizes open licensing and data quality control, with services designed to support data discovery, visualization, integration, and extraction for downstream uses such as marine spatial planning, environmental monitoring, and risk assessment.

Governance is coordinated by the EMODnet Secretariat within the European Commission framework, with contributions from national marine data centres. It is funded by the EU and member states and continues as a long-term infrastructure for Europe’s maritime data.