OSPAR and The European Marine Observation and Data Network

The OSPAR Secretariat maintains a close interest in the development of The European Marine Observation and Data Network (EMODnet) portals. Chris Moulton and Emily Corcoran participated in the 3^rd EMODnet- Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) Coordination Meeting in Brussels 8-9 December. The aim of the EMODnet-MSFD Coordination meetings are for the people leading the 7 EMODnet portals to meet with the European Commission and those who would like to use EMODnet to help implement the MSFD. The meetings also deal with marine environmental monitoring and reporting as well as providing an opportunity to share information on the use and developement of the portals and data products that EMODnet develops.. Chris and Emily were also invited to join the 5^th EMODnet Steering Committee Meeting on 9-10 December to discuss progress, improve coherence of activities, increase collaboration and guide the development of the Central EMODnet portal.

EMODnet

The European Marine Observation and Data Network (EMODnet) consists of more than 100 organisations assembling marine data, products and metadata to make these fragmented resources more available to public and private users relying on quality-assured, standardised and harmonised marine data which are interoperable and free of restrictions on use. EMODnet is currently in its second development phase with the target to be fully deployed by 2020.

^{Image: Paul Ijsendsoorn/Flickr}