Minutes of the 2nd EMODnet Steering Committee meeting

Minutes of the 2nd EMODnet Steering Committee meeting

Date: from 13:30 on Wednesday 4 June until 13:00 on Thursday 5 June

Location: Headquarters of the Italian Research Council (CNR), P. le Aldo Moro 7, Rome, Italy

Meeting rooms: SILVESTRI room (2nd floor of the newest wing of the building) and Aula D for coffee breaks (5th floor of the newest wing of the building)

Go to Meeting Agenda and Documents

List of Actions:

1. Produce a 6 monthly review of the progress indicators as part of the bi-monthly report summary produced (Secretariat, 31/07/2014).
2. Provide contacts of all project partners to the Secretariat (Thematic portal coordinators, 14/07/2014).
3. Circulate the report of the workshop held at the Maritime Day in Bremen to the Steering Committee (Secretariat, 30/06/2014)
4. Inform Seabed habitats co-ordinator (cc Secretariat) with expected delivery date of required inputs (EMODnet Bathymetry and Geology, ASAP)
5. Contact Seabed habitats to co-ordinate and define parameters required (EMODnet Physics, ASAP).
6. Engage with key European policy stakeholders to ensure EMODnet deliverables and services are fit for purpose (EMODnet Secretariat in collaboration with DGMARE Secretariat, Permanent)
7. Ensure clear numbering of agenda items and meeting documents (Secretariat, permanent)
8. Update the central portal with direct links to data, metadata and products/services starting from the landing page (Secretariat and VLIZ, 31/07/2018)
9. Review the summary pages of and links to thematic lots on the central portal to ensure concise, clear and complete information in a consistent way (Thematic lots and Secretariat, 30/09/2014)
10. Provide user documentation (document and if possible video tutorial) outlining the process from searching for data to citing it in publications (Thematic lots, Secretariat 30/09/2014)
11. Review and update information about QA/QC procedure for EMODnet deliverables and other underlying services from which information gets aggregated. To be provided to the Secretariat and made available online. (Thematic lots and Secretariat, 30/09/2014)
12. Ensure that the list with consortium members is up to date on the central portal(Thematic and regional lots, permanent)
13. Organize a meeting to further discuss the integration of the website and possible other services into the Central portal (Sea-basin Checkpoints, Secretariat and VLIZ, 31/10/2014)
14. Proceed with development and testing of the proposed ‘peer-to-peer’ data singposting functionality and report on it during the next Steering Committee (North Sea Checkpoint, 30/11/2014)
15. Significantly improve interoperability of data and products from the thematic lots, through the implementation of rating systems for the required services/layers and report on the status at the next Steering Committee meeting. (Thematic portals, Technical Working Group and VLIZ, 30/11/2014)
16. Integrate a document management system into the Central EMODnet Portal (VLIZ and Secretariat, 31/07/2014)
17. Organize a meeting with Copernicus/MyOcean to discuss the single sign-on. (DGMARE and Secretariat, 14/09/2014)
18. Provide factsheets for DGMARE on the main types of data restrictions (statistics and specific conditions) for the CDI’s currently held by EMODnet Bathymetry and Chemistry (EMODnet Bathymetry and Chemistry, 31/07/2014)
19. Liaise with DG ENV to include MSFD representatives from Member States in the EMODnet User Group (DG ENV and Secretariat, 14/09/2014)
20. Liaise with EurOCEAN 2014 Organizers to explore options for an EMODnet side event. (Secretariat, 31/07/2014)
21. Investigate options and cost for an EMODnet event at Oceanology in 2016 (Secretariat and DGMARE, 30/11/2014)
22. Create PPT-templates to be used in EMODnet presentations (Secretariat, 31/07/2014)
23. Provide requested advice to BONUS Secretariat to ensure BONUS research data are made available through EMODnet (Secretariat, permanent)
24. Liaise with CISE project with regards to their requirements (VLIZ and Secretariat, 31/07/2014)
25. Organize meetings with external collaborators with regards to the MSFD process (Secretariat and DGMARE, 30/11/2014)

Meeting Participants:

Apologies: Jacques Populus (ifremer) – Thematic Lot 3 (Habitats), Nadia Pinardi (EMODnet Mediterranean checkpoint)

4^th June 2014 - Day 1

Session 1: Welcome and Introductions

CNR (National Research Council), Italy

The 2^nd EMODnet Steering Committee meeting was hosted by National Research Council of Italy (CNR) at their offices in Rome. Dr. Enrico Brugnoli provided an overview and introduction to CNR and the marine research activities they support. He outlined the great diversity of work ranging from sustainable fisheries management to technological research on renewable energy from the sea to polar research activities. He extended an invitation to participate in the EurOcean 2014 Conference which will be held in Rome (7, 8, 9 in October 2014) EurOcean 2014.

Session 2: Review of the Actions of 1st steering committee meeting (Dec 2013, Brussels)

Jan-Bart Calewaert (EMODnet Secretariat) provided a status update of the Actions agreed at the previous meeting (See Meeting Document 3: 1^st SC meeting report). Most Actions are completed. A discussion followed on Actions not subject of other Meeting Agenda items:

Action (8). Provide proposals to report on progress using meaningful metrics for the agreed indicators (Thematic portals, 15/01/2014): the action is completed; the Secretariat proposes to provide a 6 month review of the indicators in addition to highlighting a sub-selection of stats in the bi-monthly summary reports.

Action (13). Establish and maintain an EMODnet central contact database with EMODnet partners and stakeholders (Secretariat, permanent): the Secretariat outlined that the main purposes of this partner/consortium contact database is to be able to use this for communication purposes only. Thematic co-ordinators requested if the contact details could not be shared between all parties of the Steering Committee. It was agreed that all coordinators would provide the contact lists under condition that EMODnet thematic portal co-ordinators would be kept informed about any EMODnet related communications.

Action (27). Post items to social media accounts for thematic lots if requested (Secretariat, permanent): this has not happened to date but the Secretariat welcomes requests in the future.

Action (29). Investigate the Maritime Day in Bremen option for a workshop and SC Meeting (Secretariat, 19/02/2014): the Secretariat held a workshop and had a booth in EMD in Bremen. A report was produced which will be available on the EMD conference website.

Actions:

1. Produce a 6 monthly review of the progress indicators as part of the bi-monthly report summary produced (Secretariat, 31/07/2014).
2. Provide contacts of all project partners to the Secretariat (Thematic portal coordinators, 14/07/2014).
3. Circulate the report of the workshop held at the Maritime Day in Bremen to the Steering Committee (Secretariat, 30/06/2014)

Session 3: Updates from the thematic assembly groups

Each of the seven thematic lots provided an update on the current status of their portal and the main challenges towards meeting their deliverables in Phase 2 as outlined below. The discussions focussed on the integration of data at different resolutions, the challenges of obtaining coverage in certain regions of Europe, collaboration between the thematic lots and engagement with other regulatory bodies and regional conventions.

EMODnet Bathymetry outlined their approach of ‘filling gaps’ by showing the results of integrating their information with GEBCO and exploratory work to acquire additional partners. To ensure standardisation, work continues to be done to improve the software package to allow partners in the consortium to easily produce harmonized data processing and product development.

EMODnet Geology showed a recently completed map which shows the different scales at which geological mapping has been carried out in European waters to date. The target scale of the seabed substrate map of European water is 1:250000, with more detailed data being generalized and coarser data not taken in account in this phase. Regular interactions with EMODnet Seabed Habitats are maintained to ensure that the information required from Geology is fit for purpose and as complete as possible. Collaboration with EMODnet Human Activities is maintained to minimise duplication of effort in particular in relation to hydrocarbon extraction activities.

EMODnet Seabed Habitats. Jan-Bart Calewaert (EMODnet Secretariat) provided feedback as this portal could not attend the meeting. Main focus is to ensure that data required from both geology and bathymetry is received in time (deadline end of June). A backup solution may be available for certain regions if supply of data is delayed. Seabed habitats is also interested in some of the parameters being collated by Physics.

EMODnet Chemistry has focussed on improving and standardizing the workflow for the creation of data products for (non)/homogeneous parameters with the focus on nutrients. Questions were raised on the current presentation of data in time series and the variation between regions. Currently, as the time period of available data varies across regions (e.g. North Sea recent data, Black Sea mainly archival), data are aggregated into static seasonal maps based on data for particular months taken from several years. Suggestions were made to investigate the possibility of creating time series over certain periods to allow visualising trends. EMODnet Chemistry will discuss different options at their expert meeting in Split. To continue to tailor products to MSFD, Regional Conventions and EEA assessment processes, the Secretariat proposes to (re)engage with national, regional and European level representatives in co-ordination with DGMARE.

EMODnet Biology presented recently completed dynamic time series for several marine species. Similar to other thematic lots, some activities in the Black Sea region are on hold. Work with EMODnet Seabed Habitats is ongoing to fine tune the habitats maps through the use of the modelled species outputs. Similar to other thematic portals, the data accessible through EMODnet Biology comes mainly from within the consortium. It was suggested that with the increase of digitally available data (INSPIRE compliant) from agencies it might be possible to access/harvest it directly.

EMODnet Physics presented current progress to link between the different time periods (latest, recent, historical) data which are held in different records stored in different data infrastructures. There is continued interest of other data providers to join the Physics consortium. EMODnet Physics has recently established a High Frequency (HF) Radar group to investigate if this type of data can also form part of the service. They continue to work with SeaDataNet and the MyOcean consortium to streamline data provision to users via one single login.

EMODnet Human Activities released their website in April and is currently focussing on scoping the gaps of data for different deliverables. Main challenges are that most sources do not allow for automatic retrieval and are not standardized and finding a single source of data to provide the entire EU coverage is often not feasible. The data obtained is often not INSPIRE compliant and as the data of several sources needs to be aggregated, it is ‘harmonized’ to ensure standardization for the user when using the visualization services. The ‘raw’ data is not altered as such and will be made available in its entirety to the user when this service is implemented.

Actions:

1. Inform Seabed habitats co-ordinator (cc Secretariat) with expected delivery date of required inputs (EMODnet Bathymetry and Geology, ASAP)
2. Contact Seabed habitats to co-ordinate and define parameters required (EMODnet Physics, ASAP).
3. Engage with key European policy stakeholders to ensure EMODnet deliverables and services are fit for purpose (EMODnet Secretariat in collaboration with DGMARE Secretariat, Permanent)

Session 4: EMODnet Secretariat, achievements to date: feedback from Steering Committee.

The Secretariat tabled document 5 (EMODnet Secretariat Achievements to date) which outlined the activities conducted and requested feedback and discussion on future improvements from the steering committee members.

Questions and Comments

Feedback provided was generally positive. The current setup of the Secretariat and the outputs it has achieved so far were well received. The thematic and regional nodes appreciated the flexible and interactive approach the Secretariat took with them engaging on different topics. Documentation provided for the meetings was judged to be clear and appropriate but minor adjustments were proposed regarding numbering of agenda items and document versions.

Action:

1. Ensure clear numbering of agenda items and meeting documents (Secretariat, permanent)

Session 5: EMODnet user-interactions and feedback to date

The Secretariat presented the main recommendations from users obtained during a dedicated user-survey (see Meeting Document 6) relevant for all of the EMODnet lots. Specific feedback on individual thematic services will be provided to the thematic lots separately and subject to bilateral follow-up process.

Questions and Comments:

The overview of multiple options for users to navigate the central and thematic portal to find products and data, revealed different interpretations by both the users and some of the thematic lots on the definition of a ‘website’ and a ‘data portal’. As a result, several links across the central portal point to different parts of services for the thematic lots which is confusing for users who requested one single link to access the data services directly. An ‘EMODnet website’ was defined as the homepages provided by most of the thematic lots which contain mainly textual information about the services, while an ‘EMODnet portal’ is what most of the thematic lots refer to as their visualization services (GIS Viewer) for either data or data products.

As outlined by some thematic lots offering both data, metadata and data products, a single link does not provide sufficient information for the user to understand the services and accept the license and conditions to access these services. It was therefore proposed by the Secretariat to refine and tailor the summary pages of the central portal with additional information to enable a single access point to data services. This will require the thematic lots to ensure that there is adequate and clear connectivity between services if multiple ones are offered (catalogue, viewer, etc.).

With regards to acronyms, user guidance, and provision of information on QA/QC of both EMODnet and aggregated services, it was agreed to ensure that this information was clarified and added to the thematic lots’ user guidance documentation (if not already present). It was agreed that the user documentation needs to illustrate an example of the whole process of searching for data/products up to the final accreditation required (e.g. when publishing a paper). In addition, it was recommended to develop video demonstrations or tutorials for each portal.

DG MARE requested to ensure that the latest information on the EMODnet consortium is available on the central portal for reference purposes.

Actions:

1. Update the central portal with direct links to data, metadata and products/services starting from the landing page (Secretariat and VLIZ, 31/07/2018)
2. Review the summary pages of and links to thematic lots on the central portal to ensure concise, clear and complete information in a consistent way (Thematic lots and Secretariat, 30/09/2014)
3. Provide user documentation (document and if possible video tutorial) outlining the process from searching for data to citing it in publications (Thematic lots, Secretariat 30/09/2014)
4. Review and update information about QA/QC procedure for EMODnet deliverables and other underlying services from which information gets aggregated. To be provided to the Secretariat and made available online. (Thematic lots and Secretariat, 30/09/2014)
5. Ensure that the list with consortium members is up to date on the central portal(Thematic and regional lots, permanent)

5^th June 2014- Day 2

Session 6: Updates from the Sea-basin checkpoints

The Mediterranean and the North Sea sea-basin checkpoints were represented at the meeting and outlined their current progress.

The focus of the Mediterranean presentation was on their approach to standardize the collation of materials for the different challenges through use of templates, as part of its literature review (first year deliverable). They have also released their website, and are now able to deal with requests related to oil leak response (challenge 3).

The North Sea checkpoint presented a proposal for a new approach to present and communicate the outputs of their assessment. As they defined and collated data for each challenge, they became aware of the necessity to ensure a long term vision and strategy for the checkpoints to be able to continue to evolve and allow to incorporate new challenges added beyond this initial phase. The main aim would be to develop a service which functions as a signpost to other data, rather than offering a data hosting facility (e.g. GIS portal) which is the traditional scientific approach. The proposed model is based on a ‘peer-to-peer’ type service similar to hotel rating systems such as Tripadviser based on user-ratings of (in this case) data and products provided for each of the challenges. The initial ranking system would be based on the evaluation performed by the North Sea checkpoints as part of their literature survey. Subsequently, the user community would be able to add other challenges and additional information.

Questions and Comments:

A discussion followed on the proposed peer-to-peer service and its scalability, how the ratings would be implemented and what guidance would be provided to users from sectors such as industry? The North Sea Checkpoint outlined that this system is widely used in the hospitality industry, but they realize that this is a niche application which would take time to build up sufficient community engagement. Once a certain threshold of users is engaged, it works on the same principles, i.e. the ratings will be ‘regulated’ by the users rather than by a single provider. The benefit of this system is that it is transparent and accountable, which is key to engage with other key stakeholders, such as industry in the future. The overall feedback was for the North Sea checkpoint to proceed with this approach and test it.

Actions:

1. Organize a meeting to further discuss the integration of the website and possible other services into the Central portal (Sea-basin Checkpoints, Secretariat and VLIZ, 31/10/2014)
2. Proceed with development and testing of the proposed ‘peer-to-peer’ data singposting functionality and report on it during the next Steering Committee (North Sea Checkpoint, 30/11/2014)

Session 7a: Updates and discussion on the Central Portal and Use Cases

VLIZ presented an overview of the current progress in the delivery of the first of three suggested ‘use cases’ to develop added-value functionality on the EMODnet Central Portal. Use case 1 aims to provide users with the possibility to query and obtain combined output (e.g. an Index table) of parameters from different data products for a specific window in time and space. Current functionality does not allow users to define their own geographical boundary box; the input is guided by selection of pre-existing filters. For data of non-continuous nature (physics and biology) currently a set distance buffers are applied to the selection. In future, users should be able to specify locations and time period. More importantly, implementation of the case study have revealed major shortcomings in the current inter-operability between the thematic lots. VLIZ will continue to work with the thematic lots using a rating system for WMS/WFS service data provision to advance the work. Particular attention will be dedicated to accessing Sextant as it provides the basis for data products from both EMODnet Chemistry and Bathymetry.

In addition to the case studies, the user statistics of the central portal were presented, which show a steady increase in visitors (statistics available from Secretariat upon request).

Questions and Comments:

Questions were raised about the final product delivery (currently a spreadsheet) and if other options had been considered for users to aggregate or share information they have compiled into a final product. It was noted that the functionality and output demonstrated is still part of the pilot phase, and that when the service is stable, feedback will be requested on the process and delivery. With further work on the interoperability between the services, more functionality should be able to be build-in over time.

Action:

1. Significantly improve interoperability of data and products from the thematic lots, through the implementation of rating systems for the required services/layers and report on the status at the next Steering Committee meeting. (Thematic portals, Technical Working Group and VLIZ, 30/11/2014)

Session 7b: Updates from the EMODnet Ad Hoc Technical Working Group

VLIZ (coordinators of the Ad Hoc Technical Working Group) presented current activities of the Technical Working Group. Up to now, activities have been mainly based on bilateral interactions between the working group coordinators and the technical representatives of the thematic lots, especially in relation to interoperability issues. The creation of a draft EMODnet MSFD boundaries layer based on a variety of publicly available sources to allow the thematic lots to continue to meet their deliverables can be considered as an important first group achievement, illustrating the added value of collaboration at the technical level.

Following a request from several thematic lots for a document sharing facility, different options where presented. The decision was made to integrate a document management system into the central portal system.

The technical group has not yet addressed the development of a single EMODnet sign-on as a topic, but EMODnet Bathymetry and Physics provided an update as they are the lots directly involved.

Questions and Comments

DG ENV updated the meeting with the current status of the MSFD boundaries. It is a lengthy process, as it requires agreement of countries on adjoining boundaries, divisions of sub-regions and their legal interpretation. It is expected that the region level map should be finalized in the coming month(s). It was agreed to rename the temporary MSFD boundaries map “EMODnet regions map” without reference to MSFD to avoid confusion.

With regards to the single sign on, it was clarified that the main challenge is not the technology which is shared by the main underlying systems from e.g. MyOcean and SeaDataNet. The main challenge is to come to an agreement to streamline the initial user registration process which varies between different systems (link to data accessibility) and different data license agreements. The proposed solution is to utilize the ‘open_ID’ mechanism which is now commonly used.

DGMARE requested to be provided with an overview of the current restriction types for information held in the SeaDataNet system.

Action:

1. Integrate a document management system into the Central EMODnet Portal (VLIZ and Secretariat, 31/07/2014)
2. Organize a meeting with Copernicus/MyOcean to discuss the single sign-on. (DGMARE and Secretariat, 14/09/2014)
3. Provide factsheets for DGMARE on the main types of data restrictions (statistics and specific conditions) for the CDI’s currently held by EMODnet Bathymetry and Chemistry (EMODnet Bathymetry and Chemistry, 31/07/2014)

Session 8: Updates on the EMODnet Ad Hoc User Group

The Secretariat provided an update on the current status of the EMODnet User Group (see draft Terms of Reference in Meeting Document 7). The aim is to hold a first workshop by the end of the year with up to 15 participants. Currently there is a list of 10 nominees, but other suggestions are still welcome.

Questions and Comments

DG ENV suggested that there should be an open call for nominations from the MSFD community, this would promote engagement with the Member States. It was proposed to hold the user workshop before the steering committee so feedback could be shared.

Action:

1. Liaise with DG ENV to include MSFD representatives from Member States in the EMODnet User Group (DG ENV and Secretariat, 14/09/2014)

Session 9: External communication & EMODnet demonstrations

The Secretariat provided an update on external communication activities and approaches as outlined in Meeting Document 10 (Communication Strategy). The EMODnet leaflet is complete, and work has commenced on the development of two videos and an EMODnet Brochure (brochure to be finalized by October 2014). Social media accounts have been setup with a single account for the EMODnet consortium. Thematic portals can provide information to the Secretariat to be posted. The Secretariat co-organized with EUROGOOS a workshop at European Maritime Day in Bremen, and also had an information booth. EMODnet Human activities (COGEA) was also represented, and the Mediterranean Sea-basin Checkpoint was presented as part of the ‘Marine data and observation’ workshop.

The Secretariat has started the process of planning for the next conference events, EurOcean and EuroGOOS later this year. Thematic portals were invited to provide materials to be used as part of the demonstrations and exhibitions.

Questions and Comments

Participants discussed the possibility of holding an EMODnet side event at the EurOCEAN 2014 Conference in Rome (7-9 October 2014) and mandated the Secretariat to pursue this option.

DGMARE outlined the launch of a new initiative, the Science Business Forum, to develop further partnership between industry and research. The first meeting will be held at next year’s European Maritime Day in Piraeus, Greece (May 2015). DG MARE also noted that the EMODnet contribution at the EMD was well received.

The Secretariat re-iterated the plan to have a dedicated EMODnet conference (near the end of the second phase) which would include the entire consortium. Possibility is to hold it at Oceanology in 2016 held in London or as a stand-alone event in Brussels or Oostende.

Action:

1. Liaise with EurOCEAN 2014 Organizers to explore options for an EMODnet side event. (Secretariat, 31/07/2014)
2. Investigate options and cost for an EMODnet event at Oceanology in 2016 (Secretariat and DGMARE, 30/11/2014)
3. Create PPT-templates to be used in EMODnet presentations (Secretariat, 31/07/2014)

Session 10: External interactions and collaborations

External interactions and collaborations were outlined by the Secretariat, DGMARE and the Chair.

• BONUS (Baltic Sea Research and Development Programme): BONUS projects currently have a requirement to make their data available through EMODnet. Interactions between the EMODnet and BONUS Secretariats were established early 2014 to continue collaboration. In particular, EMODnet has been asked to advise on (i) how to deal with project data outputs that are already existing or currently being delivered (especially non-standard oceanographic data) and feasibility to integrate these into EMODnet; and (ii) the data policy which will form part of BONUS contracts post 2017.
• CISE (Common Information Sharing Environment): CISE is a project to promote the sharing of real time information between authorities and enforcement agencies (integrated maritime surveillance). They are particularly interested in EMODnet for environmental information. Operational functionality of Central Portal Case Study 1 would likely be of interest to the CISE Community. It is proposed to liaise with CISE as part of the development of EMODnet user case 1.
• MSFD actors including from EEA and Regional Conventions (e.g. OSPAR) have been approached by the Chair regarding interaction with EMODnet lots and have indicated that they want to work with EMODnet but at a higher more strategic level. Due to the intense schedules of these organizations this might only occur near the end of this year.
• IOC (Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission) and its IODE project office (International Oceanographic Data and Information Exchange): IOC has been invited to the next MODEG meeting to provide a general presentation of related IOC activities, in particular IODE, and discuss possible synergies.
• MODEG (Marine Observation and Data Expert Group): This high level advisory group on marine data will continue to operate in its current form till early 2015, when a new call for interest will be announced. A focus for the next call will be engagement with industry.

Questions and Comments:

Thematic lots emphasized that there needs to be more engagement with the MSFD process to ensure that the deliverables developed in EMODnet are fit for purpose. DG ENV suggested that working at Member State level would allow to identify gaps and data flows that need support as work at regional seas level and EEA reviews are aggregations of this information. Work is being done by the EEA to improve workflow as part of aggregating information (marine data model/geographically scaling system) amongst all parties towards the next assessment (post 2018).

Action:

1. Provide requested advice to BONUS Secretariat to ensure BONUS research data are made available through EMODnet (Secretariat, permanent)
2. Liaise with CISE project with regards to their requirements (VLIZ and Secretariat, 31/07/2014)
3. Organize meetings with external collaborators with regards to the MSFD process (Secretariat and DGMARE, 30/11/2014)

Session 11: Horizon scan (dealing with non- standard data, accreditation, forums, …)

The Secretariat raised attention to a range of issues and developments related to marine data management relevant to the EMODnet network.

• A marine data management interest group has recently been established as part of the Research Data Alliance. The topics range from Big Data concept, to sharing updates on EU/Global projects, accreditations (DOI).
• The Secretariat presented an overview of the changing nature or research projects and their outputs (citizen science projects, biosensors, etc.) to highlight the growth in non-standard oceanographic data (i.e. not all outputs of a project might be able to be integrated into current data infrastructures that easily).
• The question was raised whether EMODnet’s role as ‘marine data gateway’ should include provision for data originators (all levels) with advice on how to submit data to existing EU networks which feed into EMODnet.

Questions and Comments

It was highlighted that ICES now ask data submitters to supply data with DOI (originator). Other points of discussion focused on the distribution of data of single projects across different data infrastructures, the long term stewardship of data, the classification or attribution of certain types of data (e.g. underwater videos). DGMARE outlined that the nature of different types of data and the advice required for submission would form part of a soon to be released tender for the integration of data from sectors such as industry.

Session 12: Exchange of information on EC Horizon 2020 Programme projects

EMODnet is mentioned in several of the calls of the Horizon 2020. One particular project proposal (Atlantos) in response to Blue Growth Call BG-8 involves several partners also involved in EMODnet to ensure cross-linking. Those partners involved, agreed to coordinate and communicate as much as possible to represent EMODnet as a unified network.

Session 13: Updates and implications of the Roadmap Marine Knowledge 2020

DGMARE pointed out that they will fund Euro-Argo starting from 2015 as is established in the MK2020 Roadmap, illustrating that the EU can fund long term measurements. This is to compliment Copernicus, a program which is mainly driven by the space industry, i.e. more technology than user driven. Continued focus will be towards integration with fisheries and Copernicus and to engage with industry.

Tenders in the coming months will be for the additional sea-basin checkpoints, coastal mapping, and data uptake/integration facility for data from European research and industry activities.

Session 14: Next Steering Committee and AOB

Early December based on doodle.

End of Meeting