EMODnet Annual Report 2016 Released

EMODnet has just released its Annual Report 2016. The EMODnet Annual Report 2016 gives an overview of the initiative and provides highlights on the progress in 2016 and the main achievements as well as the budget committed so far. It also includes a section on practical use cases showcasing how EMODnet has been pivotal in supporting different organisations to solve complex challenges.

For example, EMODnet has contributed to the improvement of storm surge modelling in the North Sea; it enhanced marine topographical data discovery and access in the North Atlantic; it cooperated with the Regional Council of Kymenlaakso to provide a seabed substrate map of the Gulf of Finland. These are only a few examples of the use cases included in the report.

The report also details how new organisations can join the EMODnet partnership through the EMODnet Associated Partnership scheme and reveals what are the plans and expectations for 2017.

Karmenu Vella, Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries emphasises that the organisation has  achieved what was set out to do by 2020; deliver a complete multi-resolution seabed map of European seas. He sees EMODnet as a reference source of data for those working in the coastal and offshore blue economy. It is already improving the forecasting of storm surges and helping national and regional authorities develop spatial plans and report the state of their marine environment.