The Atlas is now available on your mobile phone!

As you know, the European Atlas of the Seas is a constantly evolving tool. Over time many map layers have been added and updated, now reaching a catalogue of more than 270 map layers! New tools were developed allowing you to print maps, measure distances and areas, find geographical coordinates, save map settings, add your own data, and make personal notes. Thanks to the work of the Atlas Technical Team, we are delighted to inform you that a mobile phone version of the Atlas has been launched on 8 September 2025!

As an Atlas user, there may have been times when you wanted to learn about the ocean but did not have your computer nearby. After walking along the coastline in an unfamiliar place, for example, you may have been curious to learn about coastline change, the state of bathing water or what the mean underwater depth is. From now on, all that you need is your mobile phone and you can easily access the Atlas maps that will help you find the answers to your questions when you come back to a place with an internet connection! 

How does it work?

You can access the Atlas from your phone’s web browser by typing www.european-atlas-of-the-seas.eu and save the link on your phone. The mobile version of the Atlas enables you to consult the catalogue of more than 270 map layers and to zoom in on specific areas you are interested in. You can select different map layers and combine them. You can see the legends of the map layers by clicking on ‘Layers & Legend / Legend’ and access the description of the map by clicking on the information icon under ‘Layers & Legend / Layers’.

You can also consult predefined maps, read map stories and use the feedback form to ask questions or send us your feedback.

The Atlas’ Teachers Corner is accessible via the home menu.

Note that the ‘My Locations’ and ‘My Notes’ tools that allows you to create your own maps on a computer are not available in the mobile version of the Atlas.

When could it be useful?

There are many other situations in which you can rock up your phone and discover ocean data.

• You are on a school excursion and the field work needs to be delayed to the afternoon because of the weather. Open up our map on maritime museums or public aquariums to find a fun indoors ocean activity close to your location!
• You live near the coast and notice the litter at the beach has been piling up. Have a look at our map on beach litter composition, and more importantly on beach cleanup events!
• This afternoon, your computer may have failed you or you may not have access to a computer. Your curiosity about marine bird observations in Europe does not have to wait. The wonders of the ocean are just one click away on your phone!

How can you find out who provided the data for a map layer you are looking at?

In a similar way as to what you can do on your computer, you can access the description of each map layer under ‘Layer’ and see who the data provider is. For over half of the map layers in the Atlas, the data provider is the European Marine Observation and Data Network (EMODnet). Other data providers include the European Commission, the European Environmental Agency, Eurostat, Copernicus, the Joint Research Centre and more. 

We hope the new mobile version of the Atlas will help you to further explore the many interesting aspects of the ocean, seas and coasts!