The European Marine Observation and Data Network (EMODnet) is a network of European organisations working together to observe the oceans, to make the collected 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. The primary aim of EMODnet is to unlock existing but fragmented and hidden marine data and make them accessible for a wide range of users including private bodies, public authorities and researchers.
The Horizon Europe project FOCCUS will specifically address and enhance the coastal extension of Copernicus Marine Service to better serve coastal users and Member States (MS). This requires a joint effort between European Research and Innovation (R&I), public authorities (including coastal services) and wider stakeholders and includes implementing a coproduction of model-derived information between downstream MS coastal systems (MSCS) and CMEMS for improved monitoring and forecasting of coastal zones. This is essential and timely so that the existing CMEMS can evolve as a key coastal data and information service for Europe, working in collaboration with the European Marine Observation and Data Network (EMODnet) to ensure optimised and interoperable in situ data provision, to provide the high quality, trusted marine knowledge needed for evidence-based management and protection of the coastal zone, the solutions to enable the transition of the blue economy to be fully sustainable, climate-neutral and circular, and the tools and applications that will build resilience to climate change for European citizens and society. In addition, the coastal ocean is a dynamic environment with high complexity, requiring state-of-the-art technology and both satellite-derived and in situ ocean observations to elucidate the marine component. In Europe, the science and technology demands for the coastal zone are coupled with clear policy drivers that require MSs to monitor and assess, manage and protect their national waters in order to meet important EU policies (e.g., MSFD, WFD, MSPD, CFP) and wider policy initiatives (e.g., the European Green Deal) and the Horizon Europe Mission: Restore our Ocean and Waters. At a global level, European capability is also a key contributor to the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (UN Ocean Decade), including the CoastPredict action that aims to enhance the international capability to observe and predict the Global Coastal Ocean and the objectives of other global initiatives including the Group on Earth.
As a project partner, Seascape Belgium leads the work on ‘Communication, Dissemination, Exploitation planning; co-design and stakeholder engagement’. SSBE will also provide key support to the management & coordination of the project and be involved in the development of new algorithms and technologies for ocean data processing, access and tracking. More info: foccus-project.eu