Use Cases

EMODnet Seabed Habitats data were used to assess the impacts of bottom trawling on benthic ecosystems in the Eastern Mediterranean. Using the EUSeaMap 2021 MSFD broad habitat types dataset, the team mapped seabed habitats across a large study area and combined this information with fishing intensity data to evaluate trawling pressure, habitat sensitivity, and seafloor condition. EMODnet’s predictive habitat maps helped overcome the lack of extensive habitat surveys, reducing the time and cost of fieldwork while enabling large-scale spatial analyses. The study provided valuable evidence to support sustainable fisheries management and the implementation of the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD).

EMODnet Seabed Habitats data were used to identify priority areas for fisheries management in the western Mediterranean. By mapping vulnerable habitats such as coralligenous communities, maërl beds, and seagrass meadows alongside Essential Fish Habitats, six Priority Areas for Management (PAMs) were identified that support marine conservation while minimising impacts on fisheries. The freely accessible EMODnet data enabled efficient, evidence-based spatial planning, contributing to sustainable fisheries management, biodiversity protection, and EU environmental objectives.

EMODnet Human Activities and Physics services were used to provide harmonised data for the Abyssal Claims 3D ocean mapping platform, enabling the integration of offshore licenses, wind farms, submarine cables, and environmental data through a single access point.

EMODnet Chemistry supported the UNESCO GO2DAT initiative by providing harmonised oxygen data, metadata standards, quality control procedures, and best practices, alongside SeaDataNet infrastructure. These services were used by GO2DAT and the wider global ocean data community to design a federated, interoperable, and high-quality global system for ocean oxygen data.

The Joint Research Centre leads the Technical Group on Marine Litter (TG ML), and has been working together with EMODnet Chemistry since 2016 on the development of various marine litter databases, to which European Member States provide data. EMODnet Chemistry gathers the data from these databases to produce aggregated, harmonised and validated data collections, that TG ML further uses to analyse progress towards the Marine Strategy Framework Directive's Good Environment Status. 

The EMB Habitat Mapping Working Group faced challenges in creating accurate and comprehensive marine habitat maps, particularly due to limited biological data and gaps in deep-sea coverage. EMODnet data—such as EUSeaMap, biology layers, and high-resolution bathymetry—was crucial in addressing these issues by providing detailed, accessible, and high-quality spatial data. This enabled the group to identify critical data gaps, assess habitat conditions, and inform future mapping priorities.

Using EMODnet Geology data, the Department for the Geological Survey of Italy (ISPRA) characterised the structural settings of the seas surrounding Italy. The EMODnet data, particularly from the "Geological events and probabilities" work package, provided insights into tectonic activity, including earthquakes, volcanoes, and submarine landslides. The EMODnet Bathymetry Digital Terrain Model (DTM) helped outline submarine volcanoes, while seabed rock data from the "Seafloor geology" work package aided in understanding geological strata. This comprehensive information allows for the identification of various marine geological settings, forming a solid basis for future studies on marine geohazard assessment, land management, and applied geology.

The EMODnet Biocheck tool was instrumental in harmonising and standardising the dataset collected from the in situ optical plankton recorder (LOKI), ensuring the data's accuracy and interoperability. This process facilitated the dataset's publication and compliance with FAIR principles, enhancing collaboration and innovation in marine research.

This study focused on developing an effective route planning methodology for unmanned sea vehicles (USVs), particularly Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) combining EMODnet data and third-party systems.

The data on EMODnet Human Activities occurrence and distribution was used to investigate the regulations of activities and protection provided by Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in the European Union (EU). This PhD research study, supported by CCMAR, CNRS, and INRAE research institutes, highlights the persistent data gap and limitations of current EU MPAs and serves as a benchmark for monitoring and future evaluation of MPA policies.