On 9-12 September, EMODnet brought its latest EMODnet services to the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) Annual Science Conference 2024 in Newcastle, UK. With a focus on cutting-edge developments in marine data for research, policy and beyond, the event sparked valuable discussions on existing and future digital marine data services. The EMODnet Secretariat Co-Chaired a session on applications of artificial intelligence and machine learning applications for marine data and co-organised a session on ICES and EMODnet data services, including a showcase of career pathways for early career researchers.
The EMODnet Secretariat had a dynamic and inspiring week connecting with the ICES community at their 2024 Annual Science Conference in Newcastle, UK. As part of this major event, EMODnet hosted an exhibition stand and participated in several key sessions, showcasing its role in advancing marine data services, technical standards, and the application of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) in marine research.
A highlight of the week was the session co-chaired by EMODnet Technical Coordinator, Dr. Conor Delaney, focused on how AI and ML technologies can transform marine science, fisheries, and broader societal applications. The session, filled with insightful presentations by ICES community members, demonstrated the powerful potential of these technologies. Conor also provided an exciting update on the European Digital Twin Ocean (EDITO) platform, a collaboration between EMODnet and CMEMS. This groundbreaking initiative has created a state-of-the-art data lake for marine data and ML tools, fostering innovation through a cloud-based community platform. Key discussions explored topics such as acoustic ecology, marine food webs, and advanced fisheries management models, all of which stimulated knowledge-sharing and future collaboration.
EMODnet was particularly excited to support early career scientists at the conference, providing them with valuable insights into marine data management. In a joint session co-organized by EMODnet and ICES, Kate Larkin (Head, EMODnet Secretariat) and Maria Makri (ICES Secretariat) presented on the respective marine data services and shared their career journeys and expertise, inspiring the next generation of marine scientists. Through this session, young researchers were introduced to best practices in data management and the various career pathways available in this evolving field.
The week was a testament to EMODnet's ongoing commitment to fostering innovation, collaboration, and education within the marine science community.