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European Marine Observation and Data Network (EMODnet)

EMODnet Sea-Basin Checkpoints Stakeholder Conference

Stress-testing European Marine Data – Towards a European Ocean Observing System

14-15 February 2017, Brussels, Belgium

Download the Conference Report

The First EMODnet Stakeholder Conference has brought together EMODnet experts and interested stakeholders to consider whether marine data collected via current observation and monitoring activities in Europe serve the needs of those who rely upon marine knowledge derived from observations and monitoring data. The Conference presented the findings of the EMODnet Sea-basin data stress tests (Checkpoints) and considered how to strengthen open data repositories serving users who face real problems. Finally the participants discussed possible solutions and ways forward to improve and better coordinate the existing and future monitoring and observation activities in Europe.   
The Conference took place on Tuesday 14 and Wednesday 15 February 2017 at the Royal Flemish Academy of Belgium for Science and the Arts in Brussels, Belgium.

Timing and Venue

The EMODnet Checkpoint Stakeholder Conference took place over two days, from 9:00 on 14 February until 13:00 on 15 February 2017, at the Royal Flemish Academy of Belgium for Science and the Arts in Brussels, Belgium. The venue is located in near the Royal Palace in the Centre of Brussels at the Hertogsstraat 1 (Rue Ducale 1), 1000 Brussels, Belgium. The venue is at walking distance from Brussels Central Train Station and from Metro Station Trone. 

Download the Logistics Information Sheet for information about the Conference Venue address and how to get there.

Conference Programme - download pdf

Meeting Chair: Phil Weaver (Chair of the EMODnet Steering Committee)  

14 February 2017

09:00 - 12:30   Plenary Opening: Stress-Testing European marine data – the EMODnet Sea-basin Checkpoints

10.00 - 10.30 Coffee break

12:00 -13:30 Lunch

13:30 - 17:00     Breakout session with 6 regional Sea-basin stakeholder workshops (in parallel)

  • Evening reception with food from 17:30 until 20:00

15 February 2017

 9:00 - 12:30   Plenary Closing: Improving Europe's Marine Observation Capacity

10:30 - 11:00 Coffee break

Lunch from 12:30 – until 14:00

14:00 - 18:00   EMODnet Steering Committee Meeting (closed meeting)

 

About the Conference

The Conference aims to mobilise a wide group of interested stakeholders to consider joint issues, present common findings as well as highlighting differences between the Sea-basins as identified by the EMODnet Sea-basin Checkpoints in terms of existing and future monitoring and observation activities, data availability and usefulness to address real problems.

The main objectives of the EMODnet Checkpoints Stakeholder Conference are to:

  • Inform interested stakeholders about the outputs and findings of the EMODnet Sea-basin Checkpoints;
  • Consider how to improve future data adequacy assessments and outputs by seeking input from stakeholders’ needs and identification of gaps.
  • Look forward with Stakeholders from science, policy, industry and civil society on how marine monitoring and observation activities could be improved and better coordinated in Europe. 

EMODnet Sea-basin Checkpoints assess the quality of the current observation monitoring data at the level of the regional sea-basins. By testing the data against specific end-user challenges, the checkpoints aim to demonstrate how well the current monitoring systems and data collection frameworks provides data to meet the needs of users. In doing so, data gaps and duplications as well as significant bottlenecks are being highlighted

Six sea basin checkpoints are in operation. The first two checkpoints were initiated in the Mediterranean Sea and the North Sea in 2013. Four other Checkpoints covering the Arctic, Atlantic, Baltic and Black Sea were launched mid-2015.