EMODnet Open Conference: Consolidating the Foundations, Building the Future

The EMODnet Open Conference is free to attend but requires registration – REGISTER for this event (closing date 1 July 2015)

EMODnet is a network of organisations working together to observe the sea, to make marine data freely available and interoperable, to create seamless data layers across sea-basins and to distribute the data and data products through the internet. Since its inception in 2009, EMODnet has evolved considerably. Currently it is moving towards full operational stage with coverage of all European sea-basins and making available higher resolution data layers. Consortia have grown both in size and geographic coverage and EMODnet now includes more than 110 partner organisations. Increasingly, stakeholders are also becoming involved in the development of EMODnet tools and services.

As we approach the end of phase II and move to the final EMODnet development phase III (2015-2020), it is now timely to take stock of the progress made to date, to learn from past achievements, to exchange best practices between the thematic and regional projects and to make plans for the future.The EMODnet Open Conference provides a unique forum for the marine observation and data community, policy makers/advisors and stakeholders from various sectors and societal domains to meet, discuss and respond to the many challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

The Conference aims to reinforce the foundations and consider avenues for the further development of an open, user-friendly and fit-for-purpose pan-European marine data infrastructure. A fully operational EMODnet corresponding to user requirements will reduce costs for offshore operators, stimulate innovation and blue growth, improve our knowledge of the marine environment and support effective marine management and maritime policy making.

The Conference will entail: high-level presentations and EMODnet showcases, interventions from stakeholders, user testimonies and plenary discussions to stress the importance of marine observations and data for a wide range of users and to illustrate how EMODnet can and must contribute to economic recovery, job creation and blue-green growth.

The EMODnet Open Conference is organised by the European Commission DG MARE, the EMODnet Secretariat and local host Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ) with kind support of all EMODnet project Coordinators.