The Pact recognises EMODnet, Copernicus Marine Service and the European Digital Twin Ocean as three key EU public marine knowledge assets as a foundation to delivering the European Ocean Pact. Another crucial component of the Ocean Pact is the EC Ocean Observation Initiative, which aims to scale up European capabilities to coordinate and align in situ ocean observation and monitoring which form the foundation of EMODnet’s marine knowledge value chain.
EMODnet consolidates and harmonises marine data from over 130 European organisations, offering open access to a wide range of thematic data and products, from bathymetry and chemistry to human activities and marine habitats. This trusted infrastructure supports monitoring, reporting, and policy implementation across multiple EU directives and ocean-related targets. These include pollution monitoring, extreme event tracking, and nitrate assessments in line with EU water legislation; data provision for fisheries and aquaculture, maritime security, and marine protected area planning; and support for climate adaptation, weather forecasting, and renewable energy deployment. It also underpins marine spatial planning and innovation in the sustainable blue economy. In doing so, EMODnet serves as a foundational service for the Pact’s ambition to boost sustainable blue growth, ocean literacy, and global leadership in marine science.
By aligning with the Ocean Observation Initiative, EMODnet supports new frontiers in maritime monitoring. These include pilot efforts involving drone fleets equipped with AI and advanced sensors for real-time sea surveillance. EMODnet’s harmonised datasets also feed into the European Digital Twin Ocean (EDITO), transforming static marine observations into dynamic, predictive models that support governance and innovation.
With the Pact’s emphasis on knowledge sharing, research, and innovation, the availability and usability of marine data is more critical than ever. EMODnet contributes directly by providing a single-entry point for marine data across Europe, ensuring interoperability and alignment with INSPIRE and EU standards, and enabling digital solutions that foster stakeholder engagement across science, policy, and society.
As the European Ocean Pact calls for coordinated, evidence-based action at sea, EMODnet stands ready as the marine data backbone of this collective effort. Whether supporting local marine spatial plans or enabling international ocean forecasting, EMODnet ensures that decision-makers, researchers, and practitioners have the reliable data they need to make an impact.
Find out more and read the full European Ocean Pact: https://oceans-and-fisheries.ec.europa.eu/european-ocean-pact_en