EMODnet Chemistry Stakeholder Consultation in Trieste

The EMODnet Chemistry Stakeholder Consultation, a hybrid event organised by the OGS National Oceanographic Data Centre, was held in Trieste.

The European Marine Observation and Data Network (EMODnet) is a network of organisations working together to observe oceans and seas, process the data according to international standards and make this information freely available as interoperable data and visualisation and analysis products. It is supported by the EU Integrated Maritime Policy and is based on the philosophy of "collect once and use many times" according to the principles of open science for the benefit of all users of marine data, including policy makers, scientists, the private sector and the public. EMODnet Chemistry is the discipline-based theme providing marine pollution data and data products. The National Oceanographic Data Centre at the Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics - OGS has been the scientific coordinator of the project since the pilot phase in 2009.

The stakeholder consultation aimed to identify and analyse in depth new needs and gaps in order to make EMODnet Chemistry data, data products and services more complete, efficient and user-oriented. The workshop also explored possible further interactions between the invited stakeholders and EMODnet. The workshop was introduced by Zoi Constantinou from the European Commission's Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (DG MARE), who pointed out the key role EMODnet has played in data exchange in Europe and beyond for almost 15 years. Alessandra Giorgetti from OGS recapped the main results achieved by EMODnet Chemistry in its five operational phases and the consolidated cooperation at European and global level. Neil Holdsworth from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) highlighted the importance of the project for the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) and the mutual benefits resulting from the consolidated and trustful dialogue between the partnership and the board of MSFD experts.

Seven international organisations participated in the workshop: the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission, the Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission, the Commission on the Protection of the Black Sea against Pollution, the European Environment Agency, the ICES’ Marine Litter Working Group, the world data centre PANGAEA and the Copernicus Marine Service. They outlined the main priorities related to the management of litter, eutrophication and hazardous substances data and new needs they intend to address in the near future. This information will serve as a basis for refining and improving the cooperation with EMODnet Chemistry.

The workshop was held as part of the EMODnet Chemistry Project Full Group (PFG) meeting, which started on 9 March. The PFG involves 44 organisations, mainly national marine monitoring agencies and major marine research institutes, complemented by experts in information technology and marine data management. The inclusion of consultation in the PFG meeting provided an opportunity to inform and familiarise participants with recent changes, mainly due to the centralisation of the EMODnet Chemistry web portal into the central EMODnet portal.