Helen Lillis BE

EMODnet Seabed Habitats will continue to improve & expand the coverage of the broadscale seabed habitat map for Europe, EUSeaMap, which serves as a base map for national, regional & global assessments

This pledge is on behalf of EMODnet Seabed Habitats, a Europe-wide consortium working towards providing better access to seabed habitat data. The Marine Strategy Framework Directive calls for a full coverage seabed habitat map of all European seas. In general, habitat maps are very costly and time consuming to produce from surveys. The creation of a detailed habitat map involves first surveying the seafloor with sonar equipment and collecting samples or photos of the seabed. These data are then analysed and integrated to generate a map. It can take several years from planning a survey to completing a detailed map. By contrast, a more time- and cost-efficient way to meet the need for a full-coverage habitat map is to use low-resolution maps and models to predict seafloor habitat types. EUSeaMap provides the community with a comprehensive, free and ready-to-use map, harmonising mapping procedures and fostering a common understanding among seabed mappers in Europe.