Brussels, 15 July 2025 — EMODnet met with Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans, Costas Kadis, at the Berlaymont building in Brussels for a strategic exchange on the role of EMODnet as a key EU public asset for Marine Knowledge. The meeting underscored EMODnet’s contribution to European marine policy and its alignment with the newly launched European Ocean Pact.
The EMODnet delegation represented the full breadth of its partnership, comprising over 130 partners and 35 associated partners, and emphasized EMODnet’s central role in supporting EU marine and coastal policy frameworks. These include the Maritime Spatial Planning Directive, the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, and the EU Ocean Observation Initiative, among others.
Commissioner Kadis acknowledged EMODnet as a flagship Marine Knowledge service, already delivering operational data and products that underpin EU policy implementation. EMODnet’s early adoption of EU Open Data policies, including the Open Data Directive and the INSPIRE Directive, was highlighted as a model for open, harmonized marine data sharing.
The EMODnet delegation meeting Commissioner Costas Kadis, Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans on 15 July 2025 at the Berlaymont building in Brussels, Belgium. EMODnet Delegation: Kate Larkin (Head, EMODnet Secretariat, Seascape Belgium), Conor Delaney (Tehcnical Coordinator, EMODnet, Seascape Belgium), Lennert Tyberhein (Flanders Marine Institute VLIZ, Belgium), Adeline Souf (French Hydrographic and Oceanographic Service (Shom), Alessandro Pititto (COGEA - Bip Group).- ©DG MARE
A key focus of the meeting was the European Digital Twin Ocean (DTO), where EMODnet plays a vital role as the in situ marine data component. EMODnet’s harmonized, FAIR marine data and data products are essential for enabling accurate DTO applications, particularly at local and regional sea-basin scales. EMODnet stands ready to expand its services to deliver higher volumes of timely data, supporting next-generation forecasting and scenario-setting in collaboration with the Copernicus Marine Service.
Importantly, the meeting emphasized that Marine Knowledge is a cross-cutting component of all six objectives of the European Ocean Pact:
- Protecting and restoring ocean health
- Boosting sustainable competitiveness of the blue economy
- Supporting coastal, island communities and outermost regions
- Advancing ocean research, knowledge, skills, and innovation
- Enhancing maritime security and defence
- Strengthening EU Ocean diplomacy and international rule-based governance
EMODnet’s unique network of marine data experts across 33 countries (including 21 EU Member States and 12 associated countries) was recognized as a key asset. This network enables the delivery of hundreds of harmonized marine and coastal data parameters and value-added data products that are fit-for-use by EU policy makers, researchers, industry, and society.
The EMOD-network called for strengthened investment in EMODnet, particularly in the next Multiannual Financial Framework, to ensure the continued evolution of its services. This investment is essential to meet the growing societal demand for Marine Knowledge and to support the successful implementation of the European Ocean Pact.
Looking ahead, the EMODnet community will publish the EMODnet Vision 2035 in September 2025, outlining strategic pillars and priority areas for service evolution over the next decade. This vision will serve as a direct contribution to the European Ocean Pact, reinforcing EMODnet’s role as a key EU flagship data service delivering operational Marine Knowledge.