Date: 6 October 2014, from 14:00 to 18:00

Location: Giacomello room, Italian Research Council (CNR) Headquarters, Rome Italy

Meeting Chair: Phil Weaver

The EMODnet@EurOCEAN pre-event introduced the data services provided by EMODnet as a core component of an end-to-end system for European ocean observation, data management and provision, emphasising the need for close collaboration between the various actors and related data initiates as well as between science and industry for new technologies and services in support of Blue Growth. Participants illustrated how EMODnet fits in the wider marine data landscape in Europe and presented new sea-basin level approaches to evaluate marine data availability and observation capacity from a use-perspective. Participants also discussed current bottlenecks and future requirements to guide further development of this long term marine data initiative into a fully operational, efficient and user friendly service addressing the needs of the marine science, policy and industry communities.

Session 1: EMODnet in the marine data landscape

• Introduction to EMODnet and overview of the thematic portals – Jan-Bart Calewaert (EMODnet Secretariat), Dick Schaap (Bathymetry), Alan Stevenson (Geology), Jacques Populus (Seabed habitats), Alessandra Giorgetti (Chemistry), Simon Claus (Biology), Antonio Novellino (Physics), Alessandro Pititto (Human activities)

• Round table discussion

Session 2: Optimising data acquisition and access to data resources

• Assessing efficiency of observation networks feeding into EMODnet (15’) - Jun She Ph.D. (Centre for Ocean and Ice, Danish Meteorological Institute, Denmark)

• Linking data from various European marine data (15’) – Sylvie Pouliquen (Ifremer, France)

• Drivers of EMODnet progress: EMODnet sea-basin checkpoints and theEMODnet Central Portal (15’) – Emanuela Clementi (INGV, Italy) and Simon Claus (VLIZ, Belgium)

• Discussion with speaker panel and audience

Session 3: Making EMODnet fit for purpose and user friendly: are we realising the vision for EMODnet?

• OSPAR’s data gathering and information management activities and how to make better use of EMODnet? (15’) - Darius Campbell (OSPAR)

• EMODnet for Member State environmental monitoring and reporting obligations: the case of Italy (15’) - Giordano Giorgi (ISPRA, Italy)

• Discussion with speaker panel and audience

Intermezzo:

• The European Atlas of the Seas, a sister initiative of EMODnet – Jean Dusart (JRC)

Closing remarks

• Forward look from DG MARE on funding opportunities and the next phase: is EMODnet here to stay? - Richard Bates (DGMARE)