Marzia Rovere from EMODnet partner CNR Italy finished her second term as elected member on the GEBCO guiding Committee and received a small token of appreciation from IHO Director Rear Admiral Luigi Sinapi and Julien Barbière on behalf of the IOC (©GGSgc)
From 4-8 November, 2024, three representatives from the European Marine Observation and Data Network (EMODnet) participated in the 41st GEBCO Guiding Committee Meeting and the 6th Nippon Foundation GEBCO Seabed 2030 Pacific Ocean Mapping Meeting, held in Nadi, Fiji. These prestigious events, hosted by the Fiji Navy Hydrographic Office and opened by the Honorable Filimoni Vosarogo, Minister for Lands and Mineral Resources of Fiji, provided a unique platform to showcase EMODnet’s achievements and to explore potential collaborations with stakeholders in the Pacific region. EMODnet Bathymetry is an active contributor to Seabed 2030.
The meetings saw, amongst others:
• 90 in-person participants from 27 different countries
• 6 inspiring keynote speeches
• 34 insightful presentations
• Interactive sessions, including a hands-on workshop and a Talanoa session
Throughout the meetings, EMODnet members actively promoted the network’s successes in Europe, emphasizing its role in advancing cross-border data sharing and open access to marine data, supporting sustainable development, and fostering collaboration between governments, academia, and industry. The presentations and discussions sparked significant interest among participants, many of whom expressed admiration for the scope and impact of EMODnet’s work.
A notable initiative in the Pacific region is the Pacific data hub (pacificdata.org). The datahub, sponsored by the Government of New Zealand, is developed by the Pacific Community who is the principal scientific and technical organization in the Pacific region with 27 country and territory members.
Several attendees highlighted the need to strengthen this and similar initiatives in the Pacific region, noting that EMODnet’s expertise could play a pivotal role in this effort. Ideas for collaboration included:
•Advisory Support: EMODnet could act as a knowledge partner, sharing best practices and technical know-how to support the development of a Pacific-wide marine data network.
•Capacity Development: Through traineeships, workshops, or mentorship programs, EMODnet could help strengthen data management and mapping capabilities in the region.
•Joint Programs: With the presence of EU overseas territories in the Pacific, there is a clear rationale for launching a collaborative program that integrates European and Pacific marine data initiatives.
The enthusiastic reception of these ideas underscores the importance of building bridges between European and Pacific marine communities. EMODnet’s active engagement in these meetings not only reinforced its reputation as a global leader in marine data management but also paved the way for potential future collaborations to enhance ocean mapping and sustainable development in the Pacific. It is noted that currently EMODnet’s global partnerships are not well funded, despite the many fruitful opportunities.
EMODnet representatives included Marzia Rovere from CNR Italy who is the vice chair of the GEBCO Guiding Committee, Federica Foglini from CNR Italy who is the vice chair of the GEBCO Technical Sub Committee on Ocean Mapping and George Spoelstra from GGS who is the chair of the GEBCO Technical Sub Committee. GEBCO - General Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans – is a joint project between the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) and IOC UNESCO (UNESCO Ocean), initiated by Prince Albert I of Monaco. The GEBCO Guiding Committee is currently chaired by Evert Flier from the Norwegian Mapping Authority.
"The people of the Pacific Islands inspire me deeply; their tireless dedication to understanding the marine environment reflects not just a commitment to learning, but a profound respect for the ocean that sustains them. Their hard work reminds us all that protecting our seas is both a shared responsibility and a testament to the strength of community and cultural heritage."
George Spoelstra, GGSgc
For more info visit the Seabed2030 website.