EMODnet leading the implementation of EMOD-PACE, a ground-breaking collaboration between the EU and China to deal with the challenges of our planet’s rapidly changing seas and oceans

EMOD-PACE (EMODnet PArtnership for China and Europe) is funded under the Partnership Instrument on 31 October 2019 (EuropeAid/139904/DH/SER/CN ‘Strengthening international ocean data through the EU’s ocean diplomacy with China’). The project aims to deliver a major part of the EU contribution to the EU-China Blue Partnership for the Oceans.

The project kick-off meeting took place in Brussels, Belgium on the 19^th February 2020 marking the start of the project with an initial duration of 30 months. The kick-off meeting will be followed by an inception meeting in China which will take place later in 2020 with a large and specialised European and Chinese expert participation.

The shared objective of this EU-China Partnership is to ensure a well-supported and effective ocean governance structure for the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans and their resources. These efforts will support sustainable fisheries, a thriving and sustainable maritime economy combined with good environmental status for a healthy ocean. This EMOD-PACE project involves 17 EU partner organisations in a collaborative effort to promote international ocean governance with China as well as directly support the implementation of global commitments, primarily but not exclusively through enhanced accessibility of marine data and data products and by providing better data and data products. Through data and information sharing, as well as the application of joint European and Chinese expertise that EMOD-PACE will support the following:

• Maximize interoperability between the EU European Marine Observation and Data Network (EMODnet) and the Chinese National Marine Data and Information Service (NMDIS);
• Compare the performance of models and indicators for circulation, seabed habitatand ecosystem vulnerability in European and Asian seas;
• Provide reliable information to support coastal adaptation on the maritime (Silk) route between China and Europe.

Concrete EMOD-PACE objectives are summarised and described as follows:

• Establish a solid and effective working relationship between EMODnet and Chinese counterparts, in particular the National Marine Data and Information Service (NMDIS);
• Support processes related to collaboration with China with a view to improved discovery and access to marine data and products by establishing interoperability of data and information systems;
• Support ocean-related policy objectives and policy dialogues as well as to enhance cooperation in key areas of ocean governance;
• Facilitate political convergence for a collective approach in tackling global ocean challenges which include both cross cutting issues, e.g., such as climate change, as well as qualitative and quantitative data and information whenever available related to marine litter, biodiversity, towards environmental protection in particular within the context of the Convention for Biological Diversity (CBD);
• Support the use of internationally agreed standards and best practices for marine data, both by the public and private sectors.

Seascape Belgium, administering the EMODnet Secretariat, will act as the project coordinator and will collaborate closely with the Project Management Board and the European Commission Steering Committee. Together, this management structure will ensure both trust and fairness in the undertaking of all deliverables. In addition, the consortium members are comprised of experienced EU partners and have complementary collaborating members from China.

The organization and methodology used to achieve the objectives is broken down in the following 6 Work Packages (WP):

• WP 0:Project Coordination, Management and Communication;
• WP 1: EU-China Web Portal & creation of interoperable information system linking EMODnet with NMDIS;
• WP 2: Establishing data interoperability between EMODnet and NMDIS;
• WP 3: Comparison of European and Chinese models for regional sea reanalysis;
• WP 4:Comparison of European and Chinese models for seabed habitat and ecosystem vulnerability; and
• WP 5: Coastal Adaptation.

Table: EMOD-PACE Consortium