GEOHAB is an international association of marine scientists studying and mapping geophysical, biophysical, and geomorphic indicators of benthic communities, species diversity, and distribution. It is currently in its 24th year of existence. It provides a unique multidisciplinary forum for the exchange of knowledge and ideas that underpin sustainable ocean management. Students are encouraged to attend and grants are available.
The GEOHAB 2024 annual conference was held in Arendal, Norway at the town ‘Kulturhus’ from 6-10 May. This marked a full return to the ‘in-person’ conference model and it brought together over 150 biologists, geologists, environmental scientists, spatial analysts, technologists, geophysicists, and environmental advisors from around the world.
Members from the EMODnet Seabed Habitats consortium were in attendance to present a poster outlining development and delivery of the Caspian SeaMap (2023) Broadscale Habitat Map. In Phase 4 of the project (2021-2023), EUSeaMap was extended to include the Caspian basin and some EU jurisdictional areas in the Caribbean. This has resulted in delivery of a first baseline broadscale habitat map for these regions. Several talks and posters presented during the conference illustrated the importance of EMODnet as a well utilised resource for the scientific research community (delivering to several research projects and programmes), as well as for policy makers across Europe.
The next edition of GEOHAB is scheduled to take place between 12-16 May, 2025, in the Florida Keys (USA). This will hopefully facilitate opportunities for further engagement with data owners, researchers and policy makers in the adjacent Caribbean region.