Marinas can greatly benefit from expanded stakeholder engagement, including marine data services, to leverage open-access marine knowledge for informing operations at sea, enabling evidence-based decision-making, and supporting the green transition of marinas.  A key EU public asset for marine knowledge is  EMODnet, the European Marine Observation and Data Network, the European Commission (EC) marine data service, which offers a wealth of open and freely accessible marine data and data products for more than 65 parameters of the marine environment and human activities at sea.

As a public service, EMODnet’s key mandate is to source and aggregate in situ (in or around the water) ocean observations collected by diverse stakeholders. Data are gathered from a variety of sources, including surveys, sampling, satellite imagery, and remote sensors, using standardised and harmonised protocols to ensure consistency and ease of use. The aim is to improve understanding and promote the sustainable use of the ocean, seas and coastal interfaces. EMODnet then adds value by standardising these data (and metadata) according to EU (e.g., INSPIRE Directive) and International (e.g., ISO) standards to produce harmonised, integrated data layers, maps and products at European scale.

EMODnet has a broad coastal offer, from upper ocean and surface wave and physical conditions to information on sea level rise, coastal erosion, pollution and contaminants and more. Also providing open ocean and deep ocean data, EMODnet collectively serves a large and diverse range of users, including businesses, governments, policymakers, scientists and environmental groups. EMODnet’s data offer is increasingly in demand by many Blue Economy sectors, for use across many application areas, from planning stages (e.g., bathymetry, wave action, seabed type and coastal types) to seabed habitats informing safer and more sustainable anchoring sites, and from providing big data for digitalisation of marinas (including digital twins) to designing environmental education resources for boaters and residents (e.g., seabed habitats, wrecks and underwater archaeological sites).

EMODnet’s data offer also powers another on-line EC tool, the European Atlas of the Seas. This interactive web-based communication tool to disseminate cartographic information related to EU coasts and seas, both as maps and as graphs, for Ocean Literacy purposes, embodying EMODnet’s commitment to promoting marine data to society through Ocean Literacy and edication. By visualising and presenting EMODnet's harmonised in situ marine data in an accessible and engaging way for a broad audience, the Atlas helps users understand the importance and influence of the ocean and its ecosystems, providing interactive maps and information on topics such as marine litter, protected areas, and habitat types. Marinas can embed these Atlas maps on their websites or use them in information materials to showcase topics (e.g., marine litter, protected areas, and habitat types), which can help marina communities better understand their local environment and promote sustainable practices.

Coastal Community

As an official Implementing Partner of the UN Ocean Decade (UN OD), EMODnet significantly contributes to making marine data and knowledge more open, transparent and integrated by applying the  Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable (FAIR) principles for ocean data, also enabling its vast datasets and full catalogue to be harvested and made available on the European Digital Twin Ocean, the UN OD Ocean Data Information system (ODIS) of IODE IOC/UNESCO, and other global metadata and data initiatives e.g., the Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS) all to further address Decade challenges.

EMODnet works with Member States to offer their National Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) in accessible geospatial formats, enabling stakeholders and authorities to assess cross-border MSPs and understand the distribution of habitats, species, human pressures, and environmental conditions for evidence-based and sustainable planning. EMODnet's efforts in harmonising and standardising marine data also enable Member States to compare assessments and develop coherent strategies at the regional and European levels, as required by the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD).

In addition to funded partners, EMODnet also has an Associated Partner Programme which is a flexible initiative that welcomes diverse marine and maritime organizations, including the private sector, to collaborate with the network without funding or fees. Benefits include early information access, networking, and visibility with partners recognized on the EMODnet portal. Participation requires alignment with EMODnet's goals and a willingness to contribute, such as through data sharing or promotion. Interested organizations submit a simple expression of interest for an annual, renewable partnership, expanding EMODnet's reach and fostering wider engagement in European marine data and knowledge.

A new role for marinas

TransEurope Marinas, in collaboration with projects and initiatives such as LandSeaLot, SOOP (Shaping an Ocean Of Possibilities), and the JPI Oceans European Marina Network, is actively working to establish a European-wide marina-based network for ocean observation. By equipping participating marinas with standardised, low-cost sensor technology, this endeavour aims to collect location-accurate data on key oceanographic and meteorological parameters such as water level and temperature. This data can then be directly ingested into EMODnet, the central hub for Data Ingestion, which helps new data providers harmonise and make their data sets available. This enhances the spatial and temporal coverage of ocean monitoring, particularly in coastal regions where data can be sparse. This collaborative effort not only benefits marina managers and users with improved local environmental information and services but also contributes crucial data to EMODnet, supporting a more comprehensive understanding of ocean dynamics for communities, and creating a network that ultimately benefits everyone who uses and relies on European coastal waters.

EMODnet is the European Commission (EC) in situ marine data service of the EC Directorate-General Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (EC DG MARE) and funded by the European Maritime Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund[KM1] . To find out more, visit emodnet.ec.europa.eu/  View the EMODnet Associated Partnership brochure to join the EMOD-network and share and curate data at no cost: Brochure

Discover EMODnet’s recent reports and communication resources related to the marinas and recreational boating sector and the wider Blue Economy:

• EMODnet Marine Data for Ports, Marinas and Boating Workshop: 2024 stakeholder workshop report
• EMODnet for Maritime Spatial Planning: Video
• EMODnet for Business: Video
• Associated partnership scheme: More Information